India has launched its 16th national census, marking the country’s first-ever fully digital census. Delayed by several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent elections, this massive exercise is the first census in 15 years, with the last one conducted in 2011. The census will be carried out in two phases across all states and union territories, concluding by 2027.

The first phase focuses on house listing and housing assets, while the second phase, scheduled for February 2027, will cover population enumeration, socio-economic data, and a historic caste census. In Kerala, the self-enumeration phase is scheduled from June 16 to June 30, followed by field surveys starting on July 1. Citizens can self-enumerate online via the official portal (selfcensus.gov.in) using their mobile numbers to generate a 16-digit unique SEID, which can then be shared with visiting census officers.

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Under the Census Act of 1948, providing false information is a punishable offense that can attract a fine of up to ₹1,000 or even imprisonment for up to three years. While the digital transition aims for maximum efficiency, concerns have been raised regarding locked houses, particularly in Kerala, where many expatriates live abroad, as the Census Commission has indicated that locked houses may not be included in the count.