New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in the self-enumeration initiative for the Census 2027, encouraging citizens to submit their household information online.

In a post on social media platform X, he mentioned: “I took part in the self-enumeration process as part of the Census 2027. The initial phase of Census 2027, which encompasses House Listing and Housing Operations, has already commenced. This marks the first time we are emphasizing digital data collection, which allows individuals to self-enumerate their household details. I urge everyone to participate actively and complete the self-enumeration, contributing to a solid foundation for Viksit Bharat.”

The Census 2027 is poised to be India’s inaugural fully digital census, moving away from the traditional paper-based methodologies used for over a century and a half.

The census process is being carried out in two distinct phases under the Census Act of 1948. The first phase, referred to as House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), focuses on gathering information about housing conditions, household amenities, and assets. Citizens are required to respond to 33 questions provided to them during this phase.

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully completed his self-enumeration for Census 2027, marking the formal initiation of the first phase. In a post on X, the Prime Minister stated: “I have completed my self-enumeration. Today signifies the start of the first phase of Census 2027, pertaining to house listing and housing operations. This census marks the first instance of data gathering through digital means. It empowers the citizens of India to self-enumerate their household details. I urge all citizens to take part in the self-enumeration process.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also completed his self-enumeration on Wednesday, underscoring the importance of this digital initiative. On X, he remarked: “During the ‘House-listing’ phase - the initial step of the Census process starting today - I filled out the self-enumeration form at my home in Delhi. This process is crucial for propelling India’s developmental journey and ensuring that every citizen reaps the full benefits of government initiatives.”

The government has set a deadline of April 15, 2026, for citizens to finish the self-enumeration process. Officials emphasize that this digital strategy will facilitate quicker, more precise, and convenient data collection, while empowering individuals to directly influence India’s planning and growth.

With the involvement of leading officials and a nationwide push for self-enumeration, Census 2027 aims to establish a robust foundation for policy development in India, representing a landmark transition towards completely digital data gathering.