India's Census 2027: New Toll-free Helpline for Smooth Enumeration

The Registrar General of India (RGI) has unveiled a national toll-free helpline, 1855, to assist with queries related to the first phase of Census 2027: Housing Listing and Housing Enumeration (HLO). The helpline is accompanied by a WhatsApp chatbot for public convenience.

This multi-lingual service is designed to support enumerators, supervisors, and the general public, with interconnectivity measures ensuring access via all landline and mobile operators. The RGI has emphasized that specific Census queries will be forwarded to the respective state Directorate of Census Operations for resolution.

India's eighth Census since Independence, previously delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a fully digital initiative with self-enumeration options for the first time. It consists of two phases: house-listing and housing from April to September 2026, and population enumeration set for February 2027.

(With inputs from agencies.)