No fees, no OTPs needed for census data in Maharashtra, officials clarify

Pune: Census activities will not require any fees, bank details, OTPs, Aadhaar or PAN copies. These and more such directives are being issued by state census officials, who have also directed district authorities, including collectors and municipal commissioners, to crack down on fake enumerators and ensure complaints are promptly registered with the police.

Ten days before the census rollout in the state, which will begin with self-enumeration followed by house-listing visits, officials said extra caution is being exercised, especially in the light of instances of fraud reported from other states where census activities are underway.





The exercise will begin with a self-enumeration phase from May 1 to May 15, followed by house-listing visits from May 16 to June 14, involving nearly 2.4 lakh government officials. Even before the rollout, instances of suspicious calls and visits have begun surfacing, prompting authorities to issue alerts.

"Any request for bank details, UPI credentials, OTPs, or copies of Aadhaar or PAN is a clear red flag. Census officials never ask for such details or charge any fees," a state census official told TOI on Wednesday.

Residents and housing society representatives said awareness must be strengthened ahead of the rollout. "With the exercise about to begin and reports of such frauds from other states, there needs to be adequate awareness among citizens on what the census process involves," a housing society office-bearer said.

Another representative stressed the role of community coordination. "Housing societies should be kept in the know-how. If managing committees are informed about official visits, it becomes easier to verify genuine enumerators. Since officials are only expected to verify details after self-enumeration and must carry photo IDs, roping in societies will help prevent misuse," the member said.

Each enumerator is expected to visit the households in the period upto June 14 for the details, added officials.

State authorities have specifically instructed district census officers, collectors in rural areas and municipal commissioners in urban areas, to maintain strict vigil and ensure that complaints regarding fake enumerators are registered with police. "They have been asked to initiate strict action and file FIRs upon receiving complaints," an official said.

Scam Tactics To Watch Out For:

Fake verification calls: Claiming your census data is incomplete and asking for Aadhaar details or OTPs

Phishing websites/emails: Links to fake census portals mimicking official sites to steal data

False door-to-door visits: Imposters with fake ID cards asking for photocopies of Aadhaar/PAN or charging Rs 100–500 as "processing fees"

Fake mobile apps: Malicious apps that gain access to your phone and personal data

Citizens can report suspicious calls or visits to the cyber helpline at 1930 or approach the local police
Get real-time updates and result insights on the UBSE UK Board Results 2026 and CBSE 12th Result 2026