For the First Time, Census 2027 to Enable Digital Data Collection and Self-Enumeration

 

Maharashtra Opens Self-Enumeration Portal for Census-2027 from 1st to 15th May, 2026

Self-Enumeration Optional, not mandatory, informs Chief Principal Census Officer, Maharashtra, Dr. Nirupama J. Dange

Enumerators to Visit Every Household from May 16 to June 14, 2026 in the state of Maharashtra

Mumbai, 30 April 2026

In line with the Government’s commitment to the Digital India initiative, Census 2027 will extensively leverage digital technology to improve the quality, efficiency, and timeliness of data collection and dissemination. For the first time in the history of the Indian Census, a Self-Enumeration (SE) facility has been introduced, enabling individuals to independently fill, complete, and submit their household census details online.

For the first time in the country, the data collection of Census 2027 will be conducted digitally, where self-enumeration will also be an option. For the State of Maharashtra, a 15-day window prior to the start of the period of house-listing has been scheduled for self-enumeration, which will run from 1st May, 2026 to 15th May, 2026.

Adressing a press conference in Mumbai today, Chief Principal Census Officer, Maharashtra, Dr. Nirupama J. Dange, informed that a dedicated web portal has been developed by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, which provides a secure and flexible mode of participation in the Census. The portal enables households to furnish details at their convenience. The official portal can be accessed at: https://se.census.gov.in

The senior officials of the Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra, informed in the press conference that any one member of a household may complete the Self-Enumeration process and furnish household details in approximately 15–20 minutes. Upon successful submission, a Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) will be generated and shared on the registered mobile number/e-mail. No documents are required to be uploaded during the Self-Enumeration process.

The Chief Principal Census Officer, Maharashtra, Dr. Nirupama J. Dange, informed “Self-enumeration is optional, not mandatory. If someone has not self-enumerated, there is no need to worry; enumerators will visit every home between May 16th and June 14th, 2026, to collect/record the information”.

Under the Self-Enumeration option, individuals can fill in their information themselves online at (https://se.census.gov.in). After completing the self-enumeration process, an SE ID will be generated. This SE ID must be shared with the enumerator when he/she visits your home between 16th May to 14th June, 2026. The enumeration for house-listing and housing census will be considered complete only after verification /validation of SE data by the enumerator.

During the visit of the Enumerator to the household in the first phase called ‘Houselisting and Housing Census’, the SE ID will need to be shared for validation, confirmation, and final submission of the Self-Enumeration data. All data submitted through the Self-Enumeration portal is encrypted and stored in secure Government servers with strict cybersecurity and privacy safeguards. Individuals are advised to ensure that they are visiting the correct URL, i.e., https://se.census.gov.in, and to verify the authenticity of SMS/e-mail communications. Users should not respond to messages from unknown or suspicious sources. All official Census-related communications through SMS/OTP will carry the keyword RGICEN in the sender name (such as AD-RGICEN-S, BD-RGICEN-S, RGICEN-G, JK-RGICEN-G, etc.).

Flow chart, outlining the step-by-step process for completing Self-Enumeration through the SE portal