Shillong, May 1 : Self-enumeration for Census 2027 commenced across Meghalaya on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Indiaâ??s first fully digital Census, officials said.

Director of Census Operations, Meghalaya, Biswajit Pegu, described Census 2027 as a landmark exercise, noting that it will be the 16th Census overall and the 8th since Independence.

He informed that around 9,000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the state, supported by a robust multi-layered supervision mechanism to ensure accuracy in data collection.

The administrative boundaries of Meghalaya have been frozen as of December 31, 2025, specifically for Census purposes. The exercise will be conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers, with support from Charge Officers, Supervisors, and Enumerators, the official added.

Census authorities have urged citizens to actively participate in the self-enumeration process and extend full cooperation to field staff to ensure reliable and comprehensive data for inclusive development and evidence-based governance in the state.

Highlighting a key feature of this Census, Pegu said that for the first time, the entire process -- from enumeration to data analysis -- will be carried out digitally using mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal.

Citizens can opt for self-enumeration through an online portal from May 1 to May 15. This facility allows individuals to fill in their household details independently, which will later be verified by enumerators during house-to-house visits. According to officials, this initiative is expected to enhance transparency, accuracy, and public participation.

Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. Phase I includes Self-Enumeration and House Listing Operations (HLO). Following the self-enumeration period, HLO will be carried out from May 16 to June 14. During this phase, enumerators will gather data on housing conditions, assets, and basic amenities through a structured questionnaire consisting of 33 questions.

Phase II, the Population Enumeration phase, is scheduled for February 2027, with the reference date set as March 1, 2027.

Pegu also highlighted the legal framework governing the exercise, stating that the Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990. He noted that digital transformation will improve data quality through pre-loaded questionnaires in mobile applications and enable faster processing for the timely publication of results.

Elaborating on the methodology, the official said that data collection will be conducted using dedicated mobile apps operated by enumerators and supervisors on smartphones.

The CMMS portal will oversee all activities, including training, monitoring, and the creation of geo-coded House Listing Blocks through the HLB Creator (HLBC). Data submitted through self-enumeration will be verified during field visits before final submission.

On data security, Pegu assured that stringent safeguards have been put in place to maintain confidentiality. Individual and household-level data will remain undisclosed, with only aggregated data released for policy formulation and development planning.

Mobile numbers collected during the process will be used strictly for communication and verification purposes. The Census will cover all normal and institutional households. However, certain categories, including foreigners and diplomatic personnel, will be excluded during the House Listing Operations phase.

Subhasish Chatterjee, Joint Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, announced that a national toll-free helpline -- 1855 -- has been launched to assist citizens ahead of Census 2027.

The helpline will address queries related to the census process, including house listing and population enumeration, while providing guidance and resolving concerns to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination.

Officials also stressed the importance of public awareness, noting that media professionals play a crucial role in spreading accurate information, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging citizens to participate confidently and effectively in Census 2027.

/IANS