Gujarat to launch digital-first Census 2027: Self-enumeration to begin on May 17
Gandhinagar: Following a brief delay due to local body elections, Gujarat is set to initiate the first phase of Census 2027. The Director of Census Operations, Sujal Mayatra, confirmed that the state will pivot to a digital-first approach, allowing citizens to self-report their data before field officers begin door-to-door visits.
New timeline and digital shift
The exercise, originally planned for April, has been rescheduled with two distinct windows for the first phase:
- May 17 – May 31: Citizens can use the official "self-enumeration" portal at https://e.census.gov.in to submit their details.
- June 1 – June 30: Field enumerators will conduct the House Listing Operations (HLO) across 34 districts and 17 municipal corporations.
Mayatra highlighted that this shift marks a major evolution in data collection, stating that "the move reflected a greater emphasis on digital governance compared to previous census exercises”.
The two-phase strategy
The 2027 Census is divided into two primary stages:
- Phase I (June 2026): House Listing Operations (HLO). This focuses on the quality of housing, amenities, and household assets.
- Phase II (February 2027): Population Enumeration. This will involve the detailed counting of individuals.
To manage this massive undertaking, over 1.10 lakh personnel have been deployed. Each enumerator is expected to cover data for approximately 700 to 800 individuals. "They have 30 days... the timeline was adequate for completion of the exercise," Mayatra noted.
What citizens need to know
During the HLO phase, enumerators will utilise a dedicated mobile app to ask 33 specific questions. These range from traditional queries about building materials and fuel sources to modern metrics.
New additions for the 2027 cycle include
- Access to smartphones and internet facilities.
- The primary source of drinking water.
- Types of cereals consumed by the household.
Mayatra issued a firm reminder regarding participation: "Apart from these 33 questions, the enumerator will not ask a single extra question. It is the duty of the citizens to cooperate with them and provide accurate answers. If any person refuses to give details, we can slap a fine on him, or register an FIR against him."
He also reassured the public regarding privacy, emphasising that "all information collected during census operations would remain strictly confidential under provisions of the Census Act, 1948."
PTI