Massive Shift to Digital Census Begins
India’s Registrar General of India has revealed that over 5.72 lakh households have already used the self-enumeration facility in the first phase of Census 2027.
Calling it a “growing participation in the digital initiative,” the RGI said citizens are increasingly choosing the online route for convenience and speed.
“By choosing to provide their details online, these families have embraced a faster, smarter and a more convenient way to contribute to nation-building,” the RGI said in a post.
What Is Online Census and Why It Matters
The online census (self-enumeration) is a first-of-its-kind digital feature where citizens can fill in their household details themselves through an official portal before a government enumerator visits.
This marks a major transformation in how India conducts its population count, making the process faster, transparent, and tech-driven.
How Can You Opt for Online Census? Step-by-Step
Citizens in selected regions can use the self-enumeration portal by following these steps:
- Visit the official Census self-enumeration portal
- Fill in household and personal details
- Answer all listed questions
- Submit the form online
- Generate a unique ID
- Share this ID with the enumerator during physical verification
This facility is currently available in regions like Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, Sikkim, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of New Delhi including NDMC and Cantonment areas.
Census 2027: What’s New This Time?
The Census 2027, which began on April 1, is being conducted in two phases:
- Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO)
- Population Census (to begin next year)
For the first time, the entire process will be fully digital, with enumerators using mobile applications to collect and verify data.
What Happens During Physical Verification?
Even if you fill the census online, an official will still visit your home to verify details. During this stage:
- Enumerators will ask 33 questions
- Questions cover housing facilities, ownership status, and head of household details
- Data will be cross-checked using your generated ID
This ensures accuracy while maintaining convenience.
Why This Digital Move Is Important
The online census initiative:
- Reduces paperwork and errors
- Speeds up data collection
- Encourages citizen participation
- Builds a modern digital database for policy planning
Q1. What is online census in India?
Online census is a self-enumeration process where citizens can fill their household details digitally before an enumerator visits for verification.
Q2. Is online census mandatory?
No, it is optional. Citizens can either fill details online or provide them during the enumerator’s physical visit.
Q. When did Census 2027 start?
It began on April 1, 2026, in selected states and Union Territories.
Q. What happens after online submission?
You receive a unique ID which must be shared with the enumerator during verification.
Q. How many people have used online census so far?
Over 5.72 lakh households have already opted for self-enumeration.
