Prayagraj: Residents, public representatives, and district officials participated in the self-enumeration exercise for the houselisting operations (HLO) phase of Census 2027 on the first day, Thursday. District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told TOI, “I initiated the process by conducting self-enumeration of my residence on the portal and obtained a unique ID number.”
Unlike previous censuses that relied on traditional paper-based methods, this census will be entirely digital. For the first time, the administration has provided citizens with a 'self-enumeration' option, enabling them to directly enter their details on the official portal.
Phases of Census 2027
The first phase of the census is divided into two periods. From May 7 to May 21, citizens can personally fill in their household details. Subsequently, from May 22 to June 20, census enumerators will conduct door-to-door visits to verify the data and complete the house listing process.
How to Use Self-Enumeration
To utilize the self-enumeration option, citizens need to log in to the official website at https://se.census.gov.in. The process involves selecting one’s state and registering using a mobile number and email address. After OTP verification, users must choose their preferred language and district. They are then required to mark the precise location of their home on a map and answer questions regarding their household and family. Upon submitting the form, an 11-digit “Self-Enumeration ID” will be generated. Citizens must provide this ID to the field enumerator to complete their census enumeration process.
Importance of the Census
Officials emphasized that the census is not merely an exercise to estimate population count; it is a pivotal process for collecting vital socio-economic data—such as age, gender, literacy levels, and economic activity—which serves as the foundation for formulating future policies and development schemes.
The Prayagraj district administration has also provided short video tutorials to help citizens fill out the self-enumeration form on the portal.
Schedule and Coverage
Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases: house listing and housing census (HLO) and population enumeration (PE). The self-enumeration exercise runs from Thursday, May 7, to May 21. The House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) will start from May 22 to June 21, collecting details about the condition of houses, amenities available to the household, and assets possessed by the household.
With self-enumeration beginning on Thursday, respondents can log into the SE portal (se.census.gov.in) using their mobile number and other basic details, and complete the census schedule at their own convenience. Officials noted that the self-enumeration option provides flexibility for respondents to fill in information before the enumerator’s visit, unlike previous censuses where house-to-house enumeration was the only method. This is the first time such a facility has been offered to respondents.
