Census 2027: Houselisting field operations to begin on 16 April in eight States/UTs; about 12 lakh households used Self-Enumeration
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 15 April 2026 that Houselisting and Housing Census field operations, Phase I of Census 2027, would begin on 16 April in eight States/UTs and parts of Delhi, after a 15-day Self-Enumeration window that about 12 lakh households had used.
Summary
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 15 April 2026 that field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), Phase I of Census 2027, would begin on 16 April 2026 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha and Sikkim, and in the NDMC area and Delhi Cantonment Board area of Delhi. Enumerators will make house-to-house visits over 30 days until 15 May 2026, following the 15-day Self-Enumeration period. Self-Enumeration, introduced for the first time in a Census, had been used by about 12 lakh households through se.census.gov.in; residents must share their Self-Enumeration ID with the enumerator. Self-Enumeration was to open in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from 16 April, and in Bihar from 17 April. All data collected under the Census Act, 1948 remains confidential and is used only for statistics and planning.
Key facts
- Phase
- Phase I: Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO)
- Field operations
- 16 April – 15 May 2026 (30 days)
- Areas
- A&N Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim + NDMC & Delhi Cantonment
- Self-Enumeration
- First time in a Census; ~12 lakh households; 15-day window; se.census.gov.in
- Next SE states
- AP, Arunachal, Haryana, Chandigarh, MP, Chhattisgarh (16 Apr); Bihar (17 Apr)
- Law
- Census Act, 1948 – data confidential
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Consider the following statements about Census 2027: 1. Data collected under the Census Act, 1948 remains confidential and is used only for statistical purposes and development planning. 2. The Self-Enumeration window before field operations lasts 30 days. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct per MHA. Statement 2 is wrong: the Self-Enumeration period is 15 days; the 30-day period is for house-to-house field operations.
Under which law is data collected in Census 2027 kept confidential?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Census Act, 1948
MHA states that all data collected under the Census Act, 1948 remains strictly confidential.
Houselisting field operations of Census 2027 began on 16 April 2026 in a set of States/UTs. Which of the following was NOT among them?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bihar
The first group was A&N Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha and Sikkim, plus NDMC and Delhi Cantonment. In Bihar, only the Self-Enumeration window was to start, on 17 April.