New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday participated in the first phase of Census 2027 by completing his self-enumeration at his official residence in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in India’s transition towards a fully digital census system.
His participation comes as part of the nationwide rollout of the Census 2027 exercise, which has officially begun with a strong push toward digital and citizen-driven data collection. The initiative marks a historic shift, as India is conducting its first-ever digital census with an option for citizens to self-enumerate online.
During the process, Om Birla emphasized the importance of public participation and described the initiative as a transformative step in governance. He highlighted that the digital system is designed to be secure, accurate, and user-friendly, allowing citizens to independently submit their household details.
Census 2027, the 16th national census of India, is being conducted in two phases. The first phase focuses on house listing and housing data, which began in April 2026, while the second phase involving population enumeration is scheduled for early 2027.
For the first time, citizens are being given the option to complete their census details online through a dedicated portal before officials visit their homes. This self-enumeration process is expected to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and enhance the accuracy of data collection.
The launch phase has seen participation from several top leaders across the country, underlining the importance of the exercise. The census, conducted once every ten years, plays a crucial role in policymaking, governance planning, and resource allocation across sectors.
Officials have also clarified that no documents are required for self-enumeration, making the process more accessible and citizen-friendly. The data collected will include key household and demographic details, forming the backbone of future development strategies.
The Census 2027 exercise holds added significance as it comes after delays caused by the pandemic, making it a critical step in updating India’s demographic data after more than a decade.
Om Birla also urged citizens to actively participate in the process and contribute to nation-building through accurate data submission. His involvement reflects the broader effort to encourage mass participation and awareness about the importance of the census.
As the rollout progresses across states in phases, the government aims to ensure smooth implementation of this large-scale exercise, which is expected to redefine how demographic data is collected in the country.
With technology at its core, Census 2027 is being seen as a landmark initiative that blends governance with digital innovation, setting a new benchmark for large-scale national data collection.
