PATNA, April 17 -- The self-enumeration phase of the Census 2027 will roll out in Bihar starting Friday (today) and will last until May 1. This will be followed by the houselisting and housing census scheduled from May 2 to May 31. Bihar chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit directed officials to ensure strict adherence to Union government guidelines and maximum public participation, according to a Thursday communique issued from the chief secretary's cell. Chairing a high-level review meeting on Wednesday, Amrit described the census as a "national priority" and instructed all district magistrates and senior departmental officials to facilitate a smooth and effective roll-out of the self-enumeration process. It is to be done online (via se.census.gov.in portal). He emphasised the need for 100% participation by government employees, mobilisation of prominent citizens to lead by example, and intensified awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas with support from community networks such as Jeevika volunteer groups. The meeting, conducted via video conference with members of the state-level census coordination committee and senior officials, assessed preparedness for the first phase of the exercise. Amrit also reviewed the training of enumerators and supervisors and directed districts to complete pending technical work related to houselisting blocks on the CMMS portal within a week. Meanwhile, the Patna district administration stated that it has put comprehensive arrangements in place for the exercise. Addressing a press conference, district magistrate-cum-principal census officer Thiyagarajan SM underlined the importance of the census, calling it the backbone of a vibrant democracy whose data guides development policies and government schemes. Officials urged citizens to actively participate in the self-enumeration process, which enables individuals to submit their details online, assuring that all collected information will remain strictly confidential and be used solely for policy formulation. A large workforce of enumerators, supervisors and field trainers has been deployed across rural and urban areas, with structured training programmes underway. These sessions focus on houselisting procedures, accurate data collection, use of digital tools, and adherence to transparency and confidentiality norms. Highlighting the digital shift in census 2027, officials said that the data will be collected through mobile applications, marking a significant departure from previous exercises. Field staff are being equipped with the necessary technical skills to ensure timely and error-free data collection. A district-level coordination committee and a dedicated census cell are monitoring preparations to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards. Authorities have also appealed to the residents to cooperate fully by providing accurate information during both the self-enumeration phase and subsequent door-to-door surveys, stressing that broad public participation in the state will be key to this exercise's success....