SHILLONG: Meghalaya is set to witness a historic transformation in data collection as Self-Enumeration for Census 2027 begins across the state from May 1, marking India’s first fully digital census exercise. The announcement was made during a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau Shillong in collaboration with the Directorate of Census Operations Meghalaya at the Shillong Press Club.
Addressing the media, Biswajit Pegu, Director of Census Operations, Meghalaya, described Census 2027 as a landmark initiative, being the 16th Census overall and the 8th since India’s Independence. He highlighted that for the first time, the entire process, from enumeration to final data analysis, will be conducted digitally using mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal.
He informed that citizens will have the option to participate through self-enumeration from May 1 to May 15, 2026, by filling in their household details online. This data will later be verified by enumerators during house-to-house visits, ensuring both accuracy and transparency while encouraging greater public participation in the census process.
Senior officials present at the press conference included Subhasish Chatterjee, B. Basumatary, and Aibor Sanglyne, while the event was coordinated by Gopajit Das.
Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases, beginning with self-enumeration and House Listing Operations, which will continue from May 16 to June 14, 2026, during which enumerators will gather detailed information on housing conditions, assets, and basic amenities. The second phase, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027, with March 1, 2027 set as the reference date.
Explaining the legal framework, Pegu noted that the census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act 1948 and the Census Rules 1990. He added that digital transformation will significantly improve data quality through pre-loaded questionnaires and faster processing, enabling timely publication of results.
He further elaborated that data collection will be carried out using dedicated mobile applications by enumerators and supervisors, while the CMMS portal will handle training, monitoring, and geo-coded mapping of House Listing Blocks. Self-enumerated data will be cross-verified during field visits before final submission.
On the issue of data security, Pegu assured that strict safeguards have been put in place to maintain confidentiality. Individual and household data will remain protected, and only aggregated information will be released for policy-making and development planning. Mobile numbers collected during the process will be used strictly for communication and verification purposes.
The census exercise will deploy nearly 9,000 enumerators and supervisors across Meghalaya, supported by a multi-layered monitoring system to ensure accuracy. It will cover all normal and institutional households, while specific categories such as foreigners and diplomatic personnel will be excluded during the house listing phase.
Speaking on the occasion, Subhasish Chatterjee informed that a national toll-free helpline, 1855, has been launched to assist citizens with queries related to the census process, including self-enumeration and house listing. The helpline aims to provide timely guidance, address concerns, and ensure smooth participation by the public.
Officials also confirmed that the administrative boundaries of Meghalaya have been frozen as of December 31, 2025, for the purpose of Census 2027. The entire exercise will be carried out under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers, supported by charge officers, supervisors, and enumerators.
Appealing through the media, officials urged citizens to actively participate in the self-enumeration process and cooperate fully with field staff to ensure accurate and reliable data. They emphasised that public awareness is crucial and highlighted the vital role of the media in spreading correct information, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging widespread participation in what is set to be a defining step in India’s digital governance journey.