After a gap of 15 years, the first phase of the Census-2027 is all set to begin from April 1 in some states, where the citizens will have an option for self-enumeration, allowing digital submission of information. A house-listing and housing census will be conducted in the first phase.In Punjab, self-enumeration will begin between April 30 and May 14, while the house-listing and housing census will be held between May 15 and June 13. In Haryana and UT of Chandigarh, self-enumeration will be done between April 16 and April 30, while the housing census will be conducted between May 1 and 30.In Himachal Pradesh, self-enumeration will be undertaken between June 1 and 15, while the housing census will be done between June 16 and July 15. In Jammu and Kashmir, self-enumeration will be done from May 17 to May 31, while the housing census will be held from June 1 till June 30.Registrar General of India (RGI) Mritunjay Kumar Narayan said on Monday that activities related to the Census were at an advanced stage and field operations of the first phase would begin from April 1 in some states.Assuring that the data would be kept confidential, Narayan said it was imperative that people share information truthfully. “There is no scope of investigation of the data provided during the Census,” he added.This is the first Census since 2011 as the exercise that was scheduled for 2021 was delayed, initially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Narayan noted that the 2027 Census would be conducted in two phases, with the enumeration to be done digitally this time.Data centres have been designated as critical information infrastructure to ensure security.Answering queries on the caste census, Narayan said it would be conducted only in the second phase, adding that the best method to conduct it was being looked at and several suggestions had been received for this purpose.Narayan said questions for the second phase would be notified in a few months. During this phase, caste will also be enumerated, as the Union Cabinet has given its nod for it. Religion would also be taken into account during the second phase, he said.On being asked as to why the National Population Register was not being updated, the RGI said that no decision had been taken on the matter yet.On the Census notification not being issued by the West Bengal Government, Narayan said the issue had been raised with the state government, though there was time till September for notifying the first phase.He also said the exercise was not connected in any way with the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in many states.Meanwhile, the first phase will work as a framework for the final enumeration phase, with about 31 lakh enumerators and supervisors and more than one lakh Census functionaries participating in the process. Additionally, residents will be able to self-enumerate this time. Self-enumeration will only be available for those who reside in the country.Giving further details, Narayan said enumerators would use personal mobile phones to collect data, whereas the self-enumeration portal would be available in 16 languages, for which a 16-digit ID will be generated.When the enumerator will visit the house, the ID document is to be handed over to them so that the information can be verified. Further, no documents or proof would be required to be submitted during the enumeration, the RGI added.Earlier this month, the RGI had written to states that if a Census official refuses to perform his duty or damages or destroys any Census document, they shall face up to three years of imprisonment.