Gurugram Is Turning Census Enumerators Away — Who They Are, What They Want & Happens If You Say No

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 19:32 IST

Census enumerators are knocking on doors across parts of India for Census 2027. Here’s who they are, what they collect, and what residents should expect

A growing standoff is unfolding in parts of Gurugram as Census enumerators carrying out Census 2027 fieldwork report being denied entry into gated housing societies and apartment complexes. The issue has now escalated to the point where the Haryana administration has recommended filing an FIR against two government school staff members accused of refusing to perform Census duties and obstructing official work.

Authorities say the situation is serious because the Census is a legally mandated national exercise, and under the Census Act, refusal to cooperate or obstructing operations can attract imprisonment of up to three years.

What Exactly Are Census Enumerators?

Census enumerators are government-appointed personnel tasked with collecting household and population data during the national Census exercise. Most enumerators are government school teachers and public employees temporarily assigned to conduct house-to-house surveys.

Their job includes collecting basic demographic and housing information such as:

1. Number of family members
2. Age and gender details
3. Educational qualifications
4. Occupation and employment status
5. Housing conditions
6. Access to utilities and facilities

For Census 2027, enumerators are also helping residents understand the self-enumeration process introduced as part of India’s first fully digital Census.

Officials have clarified that the information collected remains confidential and is used only for government planning and statistical purposes.

What Is Happening In Gurugram?

According to officials, several enumerators in Gurugram have complained that security personnel and Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) in high-rise societies are refusing them entry despite valid identity cards and authorisation letters, as reported in The Hindu. Punit Kumar, who is also serving as the Census Nodal Officer, said authorities have received repeated complaints from Census teams facing resistance during field visits.

In response, the administration has now formally instructed RWAs and housing society managements to allow enumerators entry after verifying their official credentials. Officials stressed that the Census exercise is being conducted in public interest and requires public cooperation.

Why Are Some Gated Societies Hesitant?

While authorities have not officially identified specific reasons behind the resistance, officials and residents suggest multiple concerns may be contributing to the hesitation.

These include:

• Security concerns in gated societies
• Fear of sharing personal information
• Confusion over the authenticity of field staff
• Worries about misuse of household data
• Lack of awareness about the Census process

To address these concerns, the government has launched public awareness campaigns explaining that Census data is protected and will not affect access to welfare schemes or government benefits.

Officials have repeatedly stated that enumerators carry government-issued identification and authorisation documents that residents can verify before allowing entry.

What Should Residents Expect If Enumerators Visit?

Officials say enumerators may visit homes for the ongoing Houselisting and Housing Census phase of Census 2027.

Residents can expect basic questions related to household structure, family details, housing conditions, and amenities.

Enumerators are expected to carry:

• Official identity cards
• Authorisation letters
• Government-issued Census documents or digital devices

Residents can verify these credentials before cooperating with the survey process.

Authorities are also encouraging citizens to use the self-enumeration facility available through the official Census portal.

Can Refusing Census Work Lead To Action?

The administration has made it clear that obstructing Census operations or refusing assigned Census duties can invite legal consequences. In one of the first such actions during the ongoing Census exercise, Haryana authorities have recommended an FIR against two school staff members posted at GMPS School in Garhi Harsaru and OMP School in Sector-1, Manesar.

According to officials, both had been appointed as Census enumerators but allegedly failed to perform their duties despite repeated instructions.

Authorities stated that their refusal was obstructing an important national exercise.

Officials also warned that action may be initiated against others found deliberately obstructing Census operations.

Awareness Vans Rolled Out Across Delhi

Meanwhile, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan on Thursday flagged off six awareness vans in New Delhi as part of the Census 2027 outreach campaign.

According to the government, the vans will travel across Delhi, spreading awareness about:

1. The importance of Census participation
2. Self-enumeration facilities
3. Features of the digital Census
4. Cooperation with field enumerators

Officials said the outreach drive is intended to clear public doubts and help ensure the Census process is carried out smoothly across regions.

India’s First Fully Digital Census

Census 2027 is being described as a landmark exercise because it will be India’s first fully digital Census and the first to include caste enumeration alongside self-enumeration.

The first phase of the Census began on April 1 and will continue until September 30. Nearly 30 lakh enumerators are expected to participate nationwide. So far, around 92 lakh households across 23 States and Union Territories have reportedly completed self-enumeration through the official portal.

India’s last Population Census was conducted in 2011.

Where Is Enumeration Currently Underway?

House-to-house Census work is currently ongoing in several regions, including:

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Andhra Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Bihar
• Chandigarh
• Chhattisgarh
• Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Delhi (NDMC and Cantonment areas)
• Goa
• Haryana
• Karnataka
• Lakshadweep
• Madhya Pradesh
• Mizoram
• Odisha
• Sikkim
• Uttarakhand

Authorities have urged residents to support Census teams so that data collection can be carried out efficiently and accurately during one of the country’s biggest administrative exercises.

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