As part of Census 2027, Population Enumeration has been successfully completed in the designated snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, covering 5,292 Enumeration Blocks (EBs) including 4,597 in Jammu & Kashmir and 695 in Ladakh, involving enumeration across remote and difficult-to-access areas requiring extensive preparation, specialised field arrangements and close coordination with district administrations and Special Charges. This was stated by Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Shri Amit Sharma who described the successful completion as a significant milestone in the preparations for Census 2027.

 

Addressing a press conference, Shri Sharma said that the snow-bound Population Enumeration was preceded by the Self-Enumeration phase, conducted from 17 to 31 August 2026, followed by field enumeration from 1 to 30 September 2026. In Ladakh, the September exercise covered the entire Union Territory, with Population Enumeration completed in all 695 Enumeration Blocks (EBs)—367 in Leh and 328 in Kargil. With this, Ladakh has become the first Union Territory in the country to complete Population Enumeration for Census 2027.

 

In Jammu & Kashmir, the snow-bound Population Enumeration covered 16 districts and 95 Charges. Doda recorded the highest number of completed Enumeration Blocks (EBs) at 798, followed by Kishtwar with 602, Ramban with 418, Anantnag with 377 and Baramulla with 359. Reasi and Udhampur completed 345 and 313 EBs, respectively. Kishtwar, which was declared fully snow-bound, has become the first district in the country to complete Population Enumeration for Census 2027.

 

CPCO appreciated the coordinated efforts of district administrations, Census functionaries, Special Charges, Enumerators and Supervisors, as well as the cooperation extended by residents. He said the successful completion of enumeration across difficult and remote terrain reflected the preparedness of the Census machinery and the effectiveness of field-level arrangements tailored to areas where geographical and climatic conditions necessitate a separate enumeration schedule.

 

The field operation was supported by extensive preparatory work, including the deployment of Nodal Officers and District Coordinators for field training, preparation and demarcation of Enumeration Blocks, distribution of Census kits and ensuring timely availability of prescribed manuals at the Charge level.

 

The exercise also received close attention from the senior leadership of the Census organisation. Shri Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, IAS, Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, undertook visit to J&K in August and his maiden visit to Ladakh during September to personally review the implementation and progress of Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas. Additional Registrar General, Shri Sunil Kumar, visited J&K during the preparatory phase in August. Both senior officers expressed satisfaction with the progress of preparations, training and field operations.

 

Briefing the media persons, Shri Sharma also shared that the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India also deputed observers to monitor the Population Enumeration in snow-bound non-synchronous areas. The observers examined adherence to Census instructions and timelines, functioning of digital applications and devices, operational issues, respondent cooperation and the quality and progress of fieldwork, besides interacting with Principal Census Officers, Charge Officers, Supervisors and Enumerators. Their field visits established the smooth conduct of the exercise and the officers from Delhi appreciated the timely completion of training, EB formation, distribution of materials, fieldwork and publicity activities.

 

An important part of the exercise was the enumeration in Special Charges. Population Enumeration was completed in 125 Special Charges of Defence and CAPFs in the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and 47 Special Charges in Ladakh. Dedicated arrangements were put in place for these locations, including the use of paper schedules, with operational queries addressed in real time. The concerned forces extended full support and supervision, while digitisation of the collected data is currently underway.

Highlighting the role of sustained public outreach in facilitating the exercise across the snow-bound areas, he said that the multi-channel campaign included newspaper advertisements, publicity vans equipped with LED screens, banners at J&K Bank branches, pamphlet distribution, a seminar-cum-discussion at the Bhaderwah Campus of the University of Jammu, a quiz competition in Kishtwar, and radio jingles in Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri and Dogri on Akashwani and Red FM. Hoardings were also placed at district headquarters, bus stands and other prominent public locations. The campaign helped build awareness and encouraged active cooperation from residents with Enumerators and Supervisors.

 

With the snow-bound enumeration completed, Population Enumeration in the remaining non-snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir is scheduled for February 2027. Shri Amit Sharma said the Directorate will now undertake the prescribed post-enumeration processes in the areas already covered while continuing preparations for the February exercise. Ladakh, having completed Population Enumeration across the entire Union Territory, will not be part of the February 2027 enumeration schedule.

 

Further, CPCO also shared that alongside Population Enumeration, work on the District Census Handbook (DCHB) is progressing in both Union Territories. Training for DCHB fieldwork was completed across all districts by 27 September 2026, while fieldwork is scheduled for completion by 30 October 2026. In J&K, the exercise involves 284 Charge Officers, 65 Town Officers and 2,854 Village Officers, while in Ladakh 17 Charge Officers, 2 Town Officers and 56 Village Officers have been engaged.

 

The snow-bound operation was supported by substantial logistical and financial arrangements, with approximately ₹49.2 crore released to the respective districts for IT infrastructure, POL, contingency, honorarium and training allowances.

 

Shri Sharma said that the completion of the snow-bound operation represents an important step in the phased conduct of Census 2027, while stressing that the focus would remain on data quality, completeness and adherence to prescribed procedures through the subsequent stages. The final population figures for Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of J&K will form part of the nationwide Census results, which are scheduled to be released after completion of the overall Census exercise in March–April 2027.

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