“My spouse is temporarily away. Will we still be considered a couple?” and “Will a couple in a live-in relationship be recognised as a married couple?” These are some of the questions included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) the government has published ahead of the 16th Census.
The FAQs were made available on the self-enumeration portal to help the public easily respond to the questions during the Census process. The portal is open for those opting for self-enumeration and will be accessible throughout both phases of the Census Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) as well as the Population Enumeration.
According to the FAQs, if a live-in couple considers their relationship a stable union, they will be treated as a married couple for the Census.
The government has announced 33 questions that will be asked during the first phase of the Census houselisting and housing enumeration, beginning April 1, 2026.
The FAQs address a range of topics, including general census-related queries and questions about self-enumeration. Additionally, the portal provides explanations questions about the materials used in house flooring and roofing, the number of married couples living in the household, the gender of the household head, types of cereals consumed, access to basic and modern amenities, and the types of vehicles owned.
During the first phase of the Census, enumerators will start by asking for the building number (municipal, local authority, or census number), the census house number, and the predominant materials used for the floor, walls, and roof of the house.
They will then inquire about the use of the house, its condition, and the number of people who normally reside in the household.
According to the FAQ, the person recognised by the family as the head, who manages household affairs and makes important decisions, is considered the head of the household. This individual need not necessarily be the eldest male member but can be anyone—of any gender—or a younger member who normally resides in the household.
Also, under the Ownership Status of the House section, if a person lives in a rented house but owns a property elsewhere in India—whether it's a parental home or one they have purchased—they should select the option 'Rented but has own house elsewhere'.