MHA Initiates Phase‑I Houselisting & Housing Census Field Operations in Five States; Self‑Enumeration Extends to Nine States/UTs

Field Operations of Houselisting & Housing Census 2027 Commence in Five States The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has started Phase‑I Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) area. Simultaneously, the Self‑Enumeration (SE) portal is live in Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh. Key Developments Field operations began on 16 April 2026 in the five states/UTs mentioned above. SE is open until 31 May 2026 in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry; in Uttar Pradesh it closes on 21 May 2026 . Physical house‑to‑house listing by Enumerators continues in 12 other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana. More than 1.44 crore households have already completed SE across 25 states/UTs. Data collection uses digital enumeration via a dedicated mobile app, covering 33 notified questions on housing, amenities and assets. Important Facts The earlier phase (16 April‑15 May 2026) covered Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board. The SE portal (se.census.gov.in) is a first‑time feature, aiming to digitise the Census and reduce manual errors. Residents who have completed SE must present their SE ID to the Enumerator for verification. Households not using SE will be visited physically. UPSC Relevance Understanding the Census process is vital for GS‑3 (Economy) as the data informs allocation of central funds, planning of housing schemes, and assessment of socio‑economic indicators. The role of the Census Act, 1948 underscores constitutional and legal frameworks covered in GS‑2 (Polity). The use of digital tools reflects India’s broader e‑governance agenda, a recurring theme in GS‑4 (Ethics) and GS‑3. Way Forward Enumerators will complete house‑to‑house listing in the remaining states by the end of June 2026. The Ministry urges citizens to cooperate, submit SE IDs, and ensure accurate data capture. Successful digital integration will set a precedent for future decennial Censuses, enhancing policy‑making and resource distribution.