Census second phase begins with door-to-door household survey:1.7 lakh employees to collect details from those who missed online submission

The second phase of the census begins today, with around 1.7 lakh employees set to carry out door-to-door enumeration of houses and families. In the first phase, held from April 16 to April 30, residents were asked to submit their details through an online self-enumeration portal. According to the Census Department, nearly 7 lakh people participated. Participation was relatively low in major cities like Indore and Bhopal, while districts such as Raisen, Mandsaur, Rajgarh, Seoni, and Chhindwara saw a more enthusiastic response. Questions remain about how officials will handle cases where people did not complete self-enumeration, provided incorrect details, or fall into categories such as tenants, multiple property owners, or those in live-in relationships. Bhaskar spoke with Deputy Registrar General Dr. Vijay Kumar to address these concerns. Question: What happens if self-enumeration is missed?
Self-enumeration was completely optional. If you were unable to do it, surveyors will visit your home between May 1 and May 30, 2026. They will take verbal information and enter it in the mobile app. Your enumeration will be ensured in any case. Question: Will surveyors still come even after self-enumeration?
Yes, the surveyor’s visit to your home is mandatory. You will have to show the ‘SE ID’ received after self-enumeration. They will verify your information in the system. The enumeration will be considered valid only after they submit it. Question: If wrong information has been filled, how will it be corrected?
When the surveyor comes, you can tell them about your mistake. They will correct it in the system. The head of household’s name, mobile number, and language will not be changed, but everything else can be corrected. The final data will be what the surveyor verifies. Question: Need for presence at home and documents
People are often worried about what will happen if they are not at home when the surveyor comes. In such cases, the surveyor will contact you by phone and ask for a convenient time. Limited information can be taken from neighbors, but it is better to be present for accuracy. The relief is that there is no need to show any documents (ID Proof). Verbal information is sufficient. Tenants, live-in and separate houses: What are the rules for them? In the census, ‘living situation’ has been given more importance than ‘relationships.’ Caution is necessary against fraudsters Be cautious of any kind of fraud in the name of the census. Surveyors will never ask for OTP, Aadhaar number, bank details, or to scan QR codes. Only the fixed 33 questions are asked in the census. For technical issues or complaints, helpline number 1855 is available from 9 AM to 6 PM.