Gandhinagar: The Directorate of Census Operations, Gujarat, is officially ramping up preparations for the monumental Census 2027. In a press conference held today at the Circuit House in Gandhinagar, officials unveiled the roadmap for the upcoming census, which marks a historic shift towards a fully digital enumeration process. Addressing the media, Shri Sujal J Mayatra, Director of Census Operations, emphasized the critical role of this national exercise in shaping future planning and policy-making.

A Two-Phased Rollout The Census 2027 will be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase, known as the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), will be conducted across Gujarat over a 30-day period from June 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026. This initial phase will focus on collecting granular data regarding housing conditions, available amenities, and household assets, serving as a framework for the subsequent population count.

The second phase, Population Enumeration (PE), will take place nationwide from February 9 to February 28, 2027, with the official census reference date set for midnight on March 1, 2027. This phase will gather comprehensive demographic, socio-cultural, and economic data, and will notably include a nationwide Caste Enumeration.

The Groundbreaking Self-Enumeration (SE) Initiative In a major digital leap, the government has introduced a Self-Enumeration (SE) portal (https://se.census.gov.in), allowing citizens to voluntarily submit their household details online. For residents of Gujarat, this portal will be open from May 17 to May 31, 2026, deliberately scheduled just before the door-to-door HLO field visits commence.

The user-friendly portal is accessible in 16 languages and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. By registering with a mobile number, the head of the household can securely fill out the digital questionnaire. Upon successful submission, the system generates a unique 11-digit SE ID starting with the letter ‘H’. Citizens are instructed to save this ID and present it to the census enumerator during the physical field validation visit, a system designed to reduce transcription errors and save time.

Massive Scale and Mobile Integration The logistical scale of the census in Gujarat is massive. The state encompasses 34 districts, 268 talukas, 197 towns, 17 municipal corporations, and 18,117 villages. To cover every household, the state has deployed over 1.09 lakh enumerators and 18,254 supervisors. Transitioning away from traditional paper forms, these designated officers will collect data using specialized Android and iOS mobile applications equipped with built-in data validation and offline capabilities.

Strict Data Security and Privacy Measures Addressing potential privacy concerns, officials assured the public that the highest standards of data protection have been implemented. The digital census architecture features end-to-end encryption—securing data on mobile devices, during transmission, and at ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified data centers. Furthermore, under the strict provisions of the Census Act of 1948, all collected personal information is kept entirely confidential and cannot be used for taxation, legal, or any other purposes outside of census statistics.

Shri Mayatra concluded the briefing by appealing to all citizens to actively participate and provide accurate information, highlighting that public cooperation is the backbone of a successful census. Under the banner of the census mascot “Pragati” (Progress), the government is urging citizens to fulfill their responsibility. For any assistance or queries, the public can reach out to the toll-free census helpline at 1855.

The details to be filled up during the Census 2027 are divided into two main phases, each focusing on specific categories of information:

Phase I: Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) During the first phase, which can also be filled out by citizens via the Self-Enumeration (SE) portal, the questionnaire focuses on housing conditions, amenities, and assets. The details include:

House and Building Details: The predominant materials used for the floor, wall, and roof of the house. You will also need to specify the actual use of the census house (e.g., residence, shop, school), its current condition (good, livable, or dilapidated), and whether the house is owned or rented.

Household Information: The total number of persons normally residing in the household, the number of dwelling rooms exclusively in possession of the household, and the number of married couples living there. It also collects details about the head of the household, including their name, sex, and whether they belong to an SC, ST, or other category.

Amenities Available: Information regarding the main source and availability of drinking water, the primary source of lighting, and the availability and type of latrine/toilet facilities. Additional details include the wastewater outlet connection, bathing facilities within the premises, availability of a kitchen and LPG/PNG connection, and the main fuel used for cooking.

Assets Possessed: Whether the household owns items like a radio/transistor, television, laptop/computer, telephone/mobile/smartphone, bicycle, scooter/motorcycle, or a car/jeep/van. It also asks if the household has access to the internet.

Additional Details: The main cereal consumed by the household and a mobile number strictly for census-related communications.

Phase II: Population Enumeration (PE) The second phase involves a more detailed collection of personal and demographic data for each individual. The details include:

Demographics: Age, sex, marital status, relationship to the head of the household, fertility details, and overall household size.

Socio-Cultural Characteristics: Religion, language/mother tongue, and disability status.

Caste Enumeration: Specific details regarding the caste of all individuals nationwide.

Socio-Economic Indicators: Information regarding education levels, economic activities (workers), migration, and place of birth