New Delhi, March 30 According to the FAQs provided on the self-enumeration portal, if a couple living together considers their relationship as a stable union, they should be treated as a married couple for the Census.
The portal has been opened for individuals opting for self-enumeration during the Census. It will be available for both phases of the Census – House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) and Population Enumeration.
The portal includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to make it easier for the public to answer questions posed during the 16th Census of the country.
"Will a couple in a live-in relationship be considered a married couple? If they consider their relationship as a stable union, they should be treated as a married couple," the FAQ states.
The government has notified 33 questions that will be put to citizens during the first phase of the Census, which is the house listing and housing enumeration, starting April 1, 2026.
Questions such as the material used in the house flooring and roof, the number of married couples living there, the sex of the head of the household, the type of cereal consumed, access to basic and modern necessities, and the types of vehicles owned will be asked during the first phase.
The questions will begin by asking for the building number (municipal or local authority or census number), the census house number, the predominant material used in the floor, wall, and roof of the house.
The enumerators will then ask about the use of the house, its condition, and the number of persons normally residing in the household.
Officials will also collect information about the head of the household, such as the name and sex, whether the head of the household belongs to the Scheduled Caste, the Scheduled Tribe, or other communities, and the ownership status.