Self-Enumeration UPSC relevant
Self-enumeration is 'a process where respondents fill out, complete, and submit the census schedule themselves, rather than having it done by a census enumerator' (official Census 2027 FAQ).
Introduced for the first time in Census 2027, it works through the Self-Enumeration Portal (se.census.gov.in) in English and 15 Indian languages, with OTP login against a mobile number. The portal opens for 15 days immediately before each State/UT's 30-day houselisting round; only Normal Households (not institutional or houseless households) may use it. On submission the respondent gets an 11-digit Self-Enumeration ID (prefixed 'H') to hand to the enumerator, who verifies rather than re-collects the data.
It is optional; newsonair reported over 5.72 lakh households had used it by April 10, 2026. A separate SE window will be notified for Population Enumeration.