- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Census 2027 will not only be limited to population counts, but will also reveal what India eats, how it lives, and in what direction it is changing. For the first time, the census is also including people's dietary preferences. The government has released around 33 FAQs for the first phase of the census on the self-enumeration portal.
According to the FAQs on the Self-Enumeration Portal, if a live-in couple considers their relationship to be a stable and permanent bond, they will be counted as a married couple for census purposes. The portal is designed for citizens who wish to self-enrol during the country's 16th census.
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People who opt for self-enumeration will be able to use this portal. This portal will be available for both phases of the census: Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) and Population Census. The portal includes a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to make it easier for the public to answer questions asked during the census.
Guidelines on live-in relationships
The FAQ answers the question, Will couples living in live-in relationships be considered married couples? and states, "If they consider their relationship a stable bond, they should be considered married couples." The government has notified a total of 33 questions for the first phase of the census, which will begin on April 1, 2026.
The first phase will primarily collect household information, including questions on floor and roof materials, the number of married couples living in the house, the gender of the head of the household, the main cereals consumed, access to basic and modern amenities, and types of vehicles owned by the household.
What will be the question?
Questions will begin with the building number, census house number, and the main materials used in the house's floor, walls, and roof. Enumerators will then ask about the house's use, its condition, and the number of people who usually live there.
Ultimately, the data collector will gather respondent details, including their name, sex, caste, tribe or other community affiliation and whether they own the dwelling unit where the household lives.