Census 2027: Population Enumeration begins in snow-bound areas of J&K, Ladakh

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Sept 1: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, today formally launched Population Enumeration (Phase-II) of Census 2027 in the snow-bound areas of J&K from Dudu and Basantgarh in Udhampur district.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Sharma said the September exercise marks the beginning of population count, with special arrangements for remote, high-altitude and difficult-to-access areas. He said the launch from Dudu and Basantgarh reflected the Directorate's commitment to ensuring that every household and resident is included in the Census, despite terrain, distance and weather-related challenges.

He said preparations, including Enumeration Block demarcation, mapping, logistics, training and deployment of field functionaries, were completed. J&K had also emerged as the top-performing State/UT during the Self-Enumeration phase for snow-bound areas held from August 17 to 31, recording 9,672 submissions. A total of 10,199 households across J&K and Ladakh participated through Self-Enumeration.

Population Enumeration in snow-bound areas of J&K covers 16 districts and 95 Charges, with an estimated 4,146 Enumeration Blocks. These include Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam. The entire Union Territory of Ladakh will also be enumerated during September through 637 estimated Enumeration Blocks.

The phase will include enumeration of the houseless population and Special Charges, including Defence and Central Armed Police Force establishments and other restricted-access locations, in coordination with authorities.

A Revisional Round will be conducted from October 1 to 5 to review coverage and incorporate eligible changes.

Amit Sharma was accompanied by Prem Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, and Darshan Kumar, District Statistics and Evaluation Officer from the Deputy Commissioner Office, Udhampur district. From the Directorate, Manmeet Singh Loomba, Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer, Balbir Singh and Nimrat Kour, Assistant Chief Principal Census Officer, and Ajit Kumar, District Coordinator for Udhampur District, accompanied him.