Delhi: The Government of India has officially launched the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) under Census 2027 Phase 1, marking the beginning of one of the country’s largest nationwide data collection exercises. The process will collect detailed information on housing conditions, household facilities, and assets across states and union territories.
Field Operations Begin in Six States and UTs
The door-to-door Houselisting Operations have started in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh after the completion of the initial self-enumeration period.
Trained enumerators will conduct physical visits for data collection until May 30, 2026, using digital tools for faster and more accurate processing.
Self-Enumeration Facility Launches in Multiple Regions
For the first time in India’s census history, a Self-Enumeration (SE) facility has been introduced, allowing citizens to submit household data online.
The facility has begun in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) area, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand, and will remain active until May 15, 2026.
After this phase, physical enumeration in these regions will take place from May 16 to June 14, 2026.
Strong Public Participation in Digital Census System
The new digital initiative has received an encouraging response from citizens, with around 82 lakh households already completing self-enumeration through the official portal.
This marks a significant step toward modernizing census operations and improving accessibility for citizens.
Bihar Field Operations Also Begin
In Bihar, the 15-day self-enumeration window is ending, and house-to-house census operations will begin from May 2, 2026, continuing until May 31, 2026.
This ensures synchronized nationwide coverage under Census 2027 Phase 1.
Digital Tools to Improve Accuracy and Speed
For the first time, enumerators are using mobile-based digital applications during field visits. This shift is expected to improve data accuracy, reduce errors, and speed up processing.
Despite digitization, the traditional door-to-door census model continues to ensure complete coverage of all households.
33-Question Survey Covers Housing and Amenities
During the Houselisting phase, data will be collected through a structured questionnaire covering 33 notified questions, including housing conditions, household facilities, and ownership of assets.
This phase will also serve as the foundation for the upcoming Population Enumeration Phase of Census 2027.
Data Privacy Guaranteed Under Census Act, 1948
Authorities have confirmed that all information collected under the Census Act, 1948, will remain strictly confidential and will be used only for statistical analysis and development planning.
Officials have assured citizens that personal data will not be shared or misused under any circumstances.
Government Appeals for Public Cooperation
Residents in all notified states and union territories have been urged to fully cooperate with enumerators and actively participate in this important national exercise.
Households that have already completed self-enumeration are requested to share their Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) during field visits for verification.
The launch of Census 2027 Phase 1 marks a major milestone in India’s transition toward a hybrid digital census system, combining online self-enumeration with traditional field surveys. With strong early participation and nationwide rollout, the initiative aims to ensure accurate, efficient, and inclusive population data collection across the country.
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