New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday completed his self-enumeration, marking the launch of the first phase of Census 2027, which focuses on house listing and housing-related data collection.

According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this will be India’s first census conducted using digital methods. The initiative also introduces a self-enumeration option, allowing citizens to independently submit details about their households.

In a message shared on social media platform X, Modi highlighted the significance of the exercise, describing it as a major step towards modernising the country’s data collection system. He encouraged citizens to actively take part by completing their household information themselves.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed his self enumeration on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the first phase of Census 2027, relating to house listing and housing operations. PM Modi said that this census is the first time data collection is being done through digital… pic.twitter.com/jcDLRcJ9aV

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) April 1, 2026

Census 2027 is set to be the largest enumeration exercise globally. It marks the 16th census in India’s history and the eighth since Independence. The introduction of digital tools and self-reporting is expected to make the process more efficient and accessible.

The census will be carried out in two stages. The first phase, known as the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), will be conducted between April and September 2026. Each state and Union Territory will carry out this exercise over a 30-day period, based on administrative convenience. Prior to this, a 15-day window will be provided for voluntary self-enumeration.

The reference date for Census 2027 has been fixed as 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027. However, for snow-bound and non-synchronous regions—such as Ladakh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh—the reference date has been set earlier, at October 1, 2026.

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The move towards a digital census is expected to enhance accuracy, streamline operations, and increase public participation in what remains one of the most important administrative exercises in the country.