India’s next population census will be carried out in two phases during 2026 and 2027, with officials set to collect detailed information on housing conditions, household facilities, assets and family details through digital applications and self-enumeration options.
The Centre has approved an expenditure of ₹11,718.24 crore for the nationwide exercise. Officials said the census will use Android and iOS-based applications in 16 languages, including Gujarati, and will also support offline data collection.
Sujal J Mayatra said citizens will be able to use the self-enumeration facility through the official portal from May 17 to May 31.
Citizens can submit their details online through:
Census Self-Enumeration Portal
Officials said the data submitted online will later be verified by field enumerators before being added to the main census database.
Under the Census Act 1948 and Census Rules, 1990, citizens are legally required to provide accurate and complete information. Authorities stated that refusal to share details may attract penalties, although all information collected during the census will remain strictly confidential and cannot be used for taxation or legal proceedings.
Census to Be Conducted in Two Phases
The census operation has been divided into two stages:
- House Listing and Housing Census: June 1 to June 30, 2026
- Population Enumeration: February 9 to February 28, 2027
Officials said the first phase will focus on housing conditions, amenities and household assets, while the second phase will collect demographic and personal details.
Self-Enumeration Option Introduced
Citizens opting for self-enumeration will receive an SEID number after completing the online process. The SEID must be shown to enumerators during verification visits.
Authorities said the digital system is intended to speed up data collection and reduce the workload on field staff.
Over 1 Lakh Enumerators to Participate
According to officials, the census operation will involve:
- 1,10,598 house-listing blocks
- 1,08,038 enumerators
- 18,254 supervisors
The government plans to rely extensively on digital platforms for census data collection and management.
34 Questions on Housing, Facilities and Assets
During the House Listing and Housing Census phase, officials will ask 34 questions related to households and family details.
The questionnaire will include information such as:
- House number and ownership status
- Number of rooms
- Materials used for flooring, walls and roofing
- Overall condition of the house
Family-related details including the number of family members, name of the head of the household, gender and Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe status will also be recorded.
The survey will additionally collect information on:
- Drinking water source
- Electricity connection
- Toilet facilities and drainage system
- Bathroom and kitchen availability
- LPG or PNG connections
- Type of cooking fuel used
Digital Connectivity and Household Assets Also Covered
Officials said the census will also gather data related to digital access and household assets.
Enumerators will ask whether families own:
- Radios and televisions
- Computers and laptops
- Mobile phones and smartphones
- Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles
- Cars, jeeps or vans
The questionnaire will also include details regarding internet access and the primary food grain consumed by the household.
Authorities reiterated that all information collected during the census exercise will remain confidential under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.