<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Home Affairs — the central government ministry responsible for internal security, law and order, and disaster management (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of Home Affairs</span> (MHA) has kicked off Phase‑I of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) — Phase I of the Census that records details of houses, amenities and assets; forms the data base for planning (GS3: Economy)">Houselisting and Housing Census</span> (HLO) for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Census 2027 — the decennial national population count scheduled for 2027, here being conducted in phases starting 2026 (GS3: Economy)">Census 2027</span>. The field operations start on <strong>16 April 2026</strong> in eight states/UTs – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, plus the <span class="key-term" data-definition="NDMC — New Delhi Municipal Council, a civic body governing parts of Delhi, included in the census field operations (GS2: Polity)">NDMC</span> and Delhi Cantonment Board – and will run for 30 days until <strong>15 May 2026</strong>. </p> <h2>Key Developments</h2> <ul> <li>Self‑Enumeration (SE) portal, introduced for the first time, has already recorded <strong>12 lakh</strong> households nationwide.</li> <li>From <strong>16 April 2026</strong>, SE will be opened in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (available till <strong>30 April 2026</strong>).</li> <li>Bihar’s 15‑day SE window runs from <strong>17 April 2026</strong> to <strong>1 May 2026</strong>, followed by field work from <strong>2 May 2026</strong> to <strong>31 May 2026</strong>.</li> <li>Enumerators will use a dedicated mobile app for digital data capture, ensuring higher accuracy and faster processing.</li> </ul> <h2>Important Facts</h2> <p>The SE facility allows households to submit their information online via <a href="https://se.census.gov.in" target="_blank">se.census.gov.in</a>. After completion, a unique <span class="key-term" data-definition="SE ID — a unique identifier generated for a household after completing Self‑Enumeration, to be shown to the enumerator (GS3: Economy)">SE ID</span> is issued, which must be presented to the enumerator during the house‑to‑house visit. Households that do not use SE will be covered by physical enumeration.</p> <p>During the HLO phase, enumerators will collect data on 33 notified questions covering housing conditions, household composition, amenities, and assets. All information is protected under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Census Act, 1948 — legislation that governs the conduct of the Census in India, ensuring confidentiality and statistical use of data (GS2: Polity)">Census Act, 1948</span>; it is used solely for statistical purposes and development planning.</p> <h2>UPSC Relevance</h2> <p>Understanding the Census process is vital for GS‑III (Economy & Society) as it provides the primary data source for policy formulation, allocation of resources, and evaluation of welfare schemes. The shift to digital enumeration reflects India’s broader e‑governance agenda, a recurring theme in GS‑II (Polity) and GS‑IV (Ethics). Knowledge of the Census Act underscores the legal framework governing data privacy, relevant for questions on constitutional provisions and citizen rights.</p> <h2>Way Forward</h2> <p>Citizens in the notified regions are urged to cooperate fully with enumerators and to use the SE portal where possible. The successful digital rollout can set a precedent for future large‑scale data collection exercises, enhancing accuracy and reducing time lags. Continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms will be essential to address any technical glitches and to ensure that the collected data translates into effective, evidence‑based governance.</p>