New Delhi, April 2, IPU Media Update News : For the first time in the country’s history, the census process being conducted entirely through a digital mode commenced on Wednesday in the national capital, Delhi, as well as in eight states and Union Territories.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in this self-registration initiative and recorded their details. The President registered her family’s details via the online portal from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also registered his details online and called upon all citizens of the country to participate in this process. Joining them, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also registered their details online.

Officials reported that approximately 55,000 families utilized the self-registration facility on the very first day of the census. This time, the census will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will involve the enumeration of houses, while the second phase will focus on the population count. A caste census will also be undertaken this time. As part of the digital census, citizens can register their details themselves via an online portal or a mobile application. This portal and app will be available in 16 languages. The first phase of the census process is scheduled to run from April 1 to September 30. A field level survey will be conducted for a duration of 30 days in every state and Union Territory. Prior to the survey in each state, a 15-day window will be provided for the self-registration process.

— M Venkata T Reddy, News Editor and Investigative Journalist