Dehradun: Uttarakhand is preparing for a historic step in India’s census process. For the first time, couples in live-in relationships will be recognized as families in the upcoming digital census.
This decision, taken under the state’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marks a departure from traditional demographic categorization and acknowledges modern household structures.
Government sources estimate that around 76 couples currently in live-in relationships are expected to use this provision to formally register their status. They will now be treated on par with married households during data collection.
India’s first digital census
The census exercise will begin this Friday with the self-enumeration of Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh. This launch marks India’s first fully digital census, introducing a secure web-based portal accessible in 16 regional languages. Citizens will be able to participate independently, reducing the burden on field staff and improving accuracy.
Iva Ashish Srivastava, Director of the Directorate of Census Operations in Uttarakhand, highlighted the importance of this initiative. “For the first time, the public has been given the option of self-enumeration. This initiative is entirely citizen-centric, and we are working to ensure maximum awareness,” she said.
Training and preparation
The state government has been preparing rigorously since February. Training began with charge officers, master trainers, and field trainers, followed by enumerators and supervisors. According to officials, 650 batches of training are being conducted for nearly 30,000 personnel across Uttarakhand. The training is scheduled to conclude by April 22, ensuring that staff are ready for the massive exercise.
House listing phase
The first phase of the census—house listing and housing enumeration—will formally begin on April 25. This phase will record details of households, including those of live-in couples, giving them official recognition as family units.
Significance of the move
Recognising live-in couples as families is seen as a progressive step. It provides dignity and administrative status to relationships that were often overlooked in official records. By including them in the census, the government aims to ensure that policies and welfare schemes reflect the realities of modern society.
Citizen-friendly approach
The digital census portal is designed to be secure, user-friendly, and accessible. With options in multiple languages, it aims to encourage maximum participation. Authorities believe that self-enumeration will not only improve efficiency but also empower citizens to take part in shaping accurate demographic data.
As Uttarakhand leads the way with this digital census, the recognition of live-in couples as families sets a precedent for inclusive governance. The move reflects changing social dynamics and ensures that every household, traditional or modern, finds its place in official records.