Census 2027: India to launch OTP-based self-enumeration for housing data collection
HYDERABAD : The Census of India 2027 will introduce a digital self-enumeration system for the Houselisting and Housing Census phase, allowing residents to submit household data online before official verification.
Under the process, residents must first register on a dedicated portal using a mobile number. A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to enable secure login, after which users can begin the enumeration process.
Residents to map homes and provide household details
Participants will be required to pinpoint their exact residence on a digital map. They must then answer a structured questionnaire covering household amenities, construction materials, and physical assets.
Officials said the system aims to streamline data collection while improving accuracy through self-reporting and geolocation tagging.
Unique ID generated for official field verification
After completing the form, each household will receive an 11-digit identification number. This number must be presented to an enumerator during a follow-up visit.
The field verification step will match the digital submission with the physical household to finalise the enumeration process.
Data security measures highlighted; some entries permanent
Authorities said the platform uses encryption to ensure data security. However, certain entries, including the language selected and the name of the head of the household, cannot be modified once submitted.
Officials indicated that this hybrid model—combining digital entry with physical verification—aims to enhance reliability while reducing manual errors in the census exercise.
