Shillong, April 30: The Government of India will roll out the country’s first fully digital Census in Meghalaya, with self-enumeration set to begin from May 1, 2026.
The announcement was made during a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Shillong in collaboration with the Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, at the Shillong Press Club on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Director of Census Operations, Meghalaya, Biswajit Pegu said Census 2027 will mark a significant milestone as the 16th Census overall and the eighth since Independence. He highlighted that, for the first time, the entire process—from data collection to analysis—will be conducted digitally using mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal.
Citizens will have the option to complete self-enumeration through an online portal between May 1 and May 15, after which enumerators will verify the submitted details through house-to-house visits. The initiative is expected to enhance transparency, accuracy, and public participation.
The Census will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will include self-enumeration and House Listing Operations (HLO) from May 16 to June 14, 2026, covering housing conditions, assets, and basic amenities through a structured questionnaire. Phase II, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027, with March 1, 2027, set as the reference date.
Officials informed that the exercise will be carried out under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990. Around 9,000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the state, supported by a multi-layer monitoring system to ensure data accuracy.
On data security, authorities assured that strict safeguards have been put in place to maintain confidentiality. Individual data will not be disclosed, and only aggregated data will be used for policy-making and planning purposes.
A national toll-free helpline (1855) has also been launched to assist citizens with queries related to the Census process.
Officials urged the public to actively participate in the self-enumeration process and cooperate with enumerators to ensure accurate and reliable data for inclusive development and governance in Meghalaya.
