Lucknow: In a press conference held in Lucknow, Sheetal Verma, Director of Census Operations and Chief Principal Census Officer of Uttar Pradesh, shared comprehensive details regarding the upcoming “Census 2027”. She emphasized that the data collected during this massive exercise is vital for formulating national and state development plans. Highlighting the security of the process, Verma assured the public that all personal information gathered during the census remains strictly confidential. Under the Census Act of 1948 and Census Rules of 1990, personal data cannot be shared with tax or police departments, nor can it be used as evidence in any investigation.
Digital Innovation and Two-Phase Execution
For the first time in the country’s history, Census 2027 will be conducted entirely through digital means. The Chief Principal Census Officer explained that the process in Uttar Pradesh will be completed in two distinct stages. The first phase, involving house listing and housing census, is scheduled to take place from May 22, 2026, to June 20, 2026. The second phase, which focuses on the actual population enumeration, will be carried out in February 2027. To assist the public with inquiries regarding these processes, a dedicated toll-free number, 1855, has been established.
Optional Self-Enumeration Window
A key feature of the digital census is the option for self-enumeration, which allows citizens to submit their details online via a dedicated portal (se.census.gov.in). This self-enumeration period is scheduled from May 7 to May 21, 2026. While this digital option is available to foster a modern approach to data collection, Verma clarified that it is entirely optional. Individuals who choose self-enumeration will receive a “SE ID” upon completion, which must be shared with enumerators when they visit households between May 22 and June 20, 2026, to finalize the record.
Massive Manpower Deployment and Administrative Reach
To ensure the success of the census across the vast geography of Uttar Pradesh, the administration has deployed an extensive workforce of over 5.25 lakh personnel. This team includes 18 Divisional Census Officers, 75 Principal Census Officers (District Magistrates), 17 Additional Principal Census Officers, 1,195 Charge Officers, and approximately 5 lakh enumerators and supervisors. The workforce also includes 285 master trainers and nearly 7,000 field trainers tasked with preparing the staff for digital data entry.
Extensive Coverage Across the State
The census operation will cover all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh, reaching 1.04 lakh villages across 350 tehsils and 783 urban bodies. The Directorate has organized the state into 350 rural charges and 845 urban charges to manage the logistical challenge. Within these charges, approximately 3,90,000 house-listing blocks have been created. Enumerators are tasked with visiting every single household within these blocks to ensure that every resident, whether a citizen or non-citizen, is accurately accounted for in the national record.
