UDHAMPUR: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma on Tuesday launched Phase II of Census 2027 Population Enumeration for the snow-bound areas of the two Union Territories, with field operations commencing from Dudu and Basantgarh in Udhampur district.
The September exercise marks the start of population enumeration in remote and high-altitude regions, with the Census authorities putting in place arrangements for coverage of difficult-to-access areas.
Addressing the launch, Sharma said the commencement of enumeration from Dudu and Basantgarh reflected efforts to ensure Census coverage in all regions, including areas affected by challenging terrain and weather conditions. He said preparatory work, including Enumeration Block demarcation, mapping, logistics, training and deployment of field staff, had been completed ahead of the exercise.
Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest number of self-enumeration submissions among all States and Union Territories covered under the September 2026 Census schedule during the self-enumeration phase held from August 17 to 31.
According to official figures, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 9,672 self-enumeration submissions. Pulwama accounted for 3,204 submissions, followed by Kishtwar (2,231), Doda (1,169), Ramban (629), Poonch (569) and Kulgam (554). In Ladakh, 527 households completed self-enumeration, including 301 in Kargil and 226 in Leh. Together, the two Union Territories recorded 10,199 self-enumeration submissions before the start of field operations.
The Census authorities said the response indicated increasing public participation in the digital Census process and urged residents to cooperate with enumerators and supervisors during the field phase.
Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir will cover 16 districts through an estimated 4,146 Enumeration Blocks across 95 Charges. The districts include Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam.
In Ladakh, the entire Union Territory will be covered during September through an estimated 637 Enumeration Blocks, making it the first Union Territory to undergo complete enumeration during Phase II of Census 2027, according to officials.
The exercise will also include enumeration of houseless persons and Special Charges, including Defence and Central Armed Police Forces establishments and other restricted-access locations, in coordination with the concerned authorities.
Officials said a revision round would be conducted from October 1 to 5 to verify coverage and incorporate eligible changes occurring during the prescribed period.
The population enumeration phase was preceded by training programmes for Master Trainers, Field Trainers, Enumerators and Supervisors, focusing on Census procedures, definitions, field operations and digital tools. Nodal Officers and District Coordinators have also been deployed to oversee field preparations and logistical arrangements.
