Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on all citizens to complete their census registration online as the first phase of India’s 2026 census nears completion. The self-enumeration facility allows individuals and families to submit their own information through a mobile portal rather than waiting for census enumerators to visit homes. Over 32 crore families have already been recorded, and more than 2.6 crore people have self-registered their details online so far.
The census is conducted once every ten years to gather comprehensive demographic data about the nation’s population. This year’s exercise is being carried out across all states and union territories, including challenging mountainous regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
Key facts
- Over 32 crore families’ data already recorded
- More than 2.6 crore people have self-registered online
- Online portal available at se.census.gov.in
- Self-enumeration available in 17 languages including Hindi
- Process takes 15 to 20 minutes per family
- No documents required for online registration
- Special ID issued after submission for verification with enumerators
How to self-register your census details
The process is designed to be simple and accessible to anyone with a mobile phone. Citizens do not need to visit any office or submit physical documents. The steps are straightforward: visit the census portal at se.census.gov.in, log in using your mobile number, enter your location details, fill in information about your family members, and submit the form. The entire exercise takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
After you submit your details, the system generates a unique ID. You will need to keep this ID safe. When a census enumerator visits your home for field verification, you can share this ID. Once your submitted information is verified by the official, your details become part of the permanent census record.
Language options and accessibility
The portal recognises that India is a multilingual country. Apart from Hindi, the self-enumeration facility is available in 16 other languages, making it accessible to speakers across the nation. This reduces barriers for those who are more comfortable communicating in their mother tongue.
Why accurate census data matters
Census data forms the foundation for understanding India’s demographic profile. Accurate information about families, their size, composition, and location helps government agencies plan policies, allocate resources, and design schemes that affect citizens’ lives. From infrastructure development to social welfare programmes, census data guides many decisions at national and state levels. This is why the Prime Minister emphasised that while taking time to register requires individual effort, the results benefit the entire nation.
Progress so far
Census work is progressing across the country, even in difficult terrain. In Uttarakhand, enumeration began in Mana village in Chamoli district, where 83-year-old Purnima Rawat was the first person to be registered. In another location, Hardev Singh Rana used the digital self-registration method from his homestay in Bagori village. These examples show that the process is feasible for people of various ages and backgrounds.
What this means for you
If you have not yet registered your census details online, you now have the opportunity to do so at your convenience using a mobile phone, without waiting for an enumerator to call at your home. The self-enumeration option saves time and allows you to provide accurate information from your own records. Your registration is secure, requires no document uploads, and the process is straightforward in multiple languages.
What happens next
After you self-register online and receive your special ID, census enumerators will continue to visit homes for verification and to collect information from those who have not self-registered. The verification step ensures data accuracy. Once verified, your information becomes part of the official census, which is used for decades to understand and plan for the nation’s needs.