Hyderabad: The self-enumeration phase for Census 2027 kicked off in Telangana on Sunday, with governor Shiv Pratap Shukla launching the initiative at the Lok Bhavan, where he utilised the online self-enumeration facility to register. In his address to the people of Telangana, the governor emphasised that the Census is an essential national undertaking that offers a comprehensive overview of the population and their socio-economic conditions, according to a release from Lok Bhavan.He noted that the Census serves as a crucial foundation for planning, effective governance and the equitable distribution of resources, ensuring that the benefits of development reach all sections of society. Census director Bharti Hollikeri and GHMC commissioner RV Karnan visited Lok Bhavan to collect the governor’s details. They later also collected details from chief minister A Revanth Reddy and council chairman Gutta Sukhendar Reddy.Meanwhile, Union minister G Kishan Reddy called for public participation in the self-enumeration process of the Census, urging citizens to treat it both as a national responsibility and a celebration of democracy. He emphasised that the Census reflects India’s diversity in languages, religions and cultures, and is crucial for planning and policymaking.The 2027 Census will be historic as it will include the enumeration of the Backward Classes (BCs) for the first time. It is also particularly significant for Telangana, as it will be the first Census conducted since the formation of the state. Kishan reassured citizens that sharing personal information during self-enumeration will not affect welfare benefits, as the data will be used solely for policy formulation. He said the Census will adopt new technology and begin with house listings. Urging everyone to participate, he highlighted the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. “Our Census — for our development, welfare and nation’s honour,” he stated.In a large democracy like India, he said, the Census should be celebrated like a festival, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for people to participate in that spirit. He clarified that there is no need for fear or confusion while sharing details during self-enumeration. Declaring ownership of a house, possession of an air conditioner or other household information will not affect welfare scheme benefits.He said the data is meant only for policy formulation and development planning, and not for denying benefits or judging eligibility for reservations. He added that the Census will be conducted using new technology and a historic design, beginning with house listing and followed by population data collection.
