Meghalaya on Friday commenced self‑enumeration for Census 2027, marking a milestone in India’s first fully digital census. Director of Census Operations Biswajit Pegu described the exercise as historic, noting it will be the 16th Census overall and the 8th since Independence. Around 9,000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the state, supported by a multi‑layered supervision mechanism under Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers.
Citizens can participate in self‑enumeration through an online portal from May 1 to May 15, filling household details independently before verification by field staff. The census will be conducted in two phases: Phase I includes self‑enumeration and House Listing Operations (HLO) from May 16 to June 14, covering housing conditions, assets, and amenities. Phase II, the Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027 with March 1 as the reference date. Officials emphasized that the entire process – from data collection to analysis – will be digital, using mobile apps and the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal.
Authorities assured stringent safeguards for confidentiality, with individual data kept undisclosed and only aggregated results published. A national toll‑free helpline 1855 has been launched to assist citizens with queries. Officials stressed the importance of public awareness and cooperation, highlighting the role of media in dispelling misconceptions and encouraging participation. The digital transformation, governed by the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990, is expected to enhance transparency, accuracy, and timely publication of results, ensuring inclusive development and evidence‑based governance.