Chandigarh: In a major shift in census operations, residents will have the option to participate in the upcoming Census 2027 through self-enumeration, a new facility that begins on April 16.The self-enumeration process will allow citizens to securely fill their household details online via the dedicated portal se.census.gov.in.The portal will remain open for a 15-day window before the start of house-to-house enumeration in the city. Upon successful submission, participants will receive a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID), which they must share with census officials during their field visit for validation.Deputy commissioner and principal census officer Nishant Kumar Yadav described the initiative as a citizen-friendly measure introduced for the first time in the national census. “The Census 2027 self-enumeration process allows citizens to securely fill their household details online via the se.census.gov.in portal,” he said. “This digital method generates a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID), to be shared with officials during their field visit for validation. This is the first time such an option is being given.”The portal is available in English and 14 regional languages, making it accessible to a wider population. After the self-enumeration window closes, the official house-to-house House-Listing Operations (HLO) will commence. Traditional in-person interviews by enumerators will continue to be available for those who prefer not to use the online facility or are unable to do so.Highlighting the fully technology-driven nature of the exercise, Yadav added that census enumerators will use a mobile-based app for data collection, with all information being live updated on the central census server. This marks India’s first fully digital census.On Thursday, the deputy commissioner chaired a meeting to review preparedness for the census operation. Discussions focused on the readiness of field staff, timelines and operational strategies to ensure a smooth and efficient exercise. Special emphasis was placed on capacity building and high-quality training for enumerators, who play a critical role in accurate data collection.Yadav stressed the need for comprehensive training covering operational, technical and practical aspects of enumeration. He directed officials to conduct structured sessions and sensitise enumerators about their responsibilities to ensure the accuracy, consistency and completeness of the collected data.The DC appealed to all residents of Chandigarh to actively participate in the process by opting for self-enumeration starting April 16, 2026. “I urge every resident to take advantage of this facility to ensure accurate and timely submission of their information,” he said.The first phase of Census 2027 in Chandigarh involves house-listing operations scheduled to begin in May 2026, with the population enumeration phase planned for Feb 2027. Officials have divided the city into multiple blocks and deployed thousands of field functionaries to support the massive exercise.BOX: Steps to self-enumeration (SE) – how to get involvedAccess the portalLog in with a mobile number (OTP required)Fill in the required 33 questions (first phase) within 15-20 minutes, and submit to receive an 11-digit SE IDWhen the enumerator visits your home, you only need to provide the SE ID for quick validation rather than undergoing a full interview
