Census 2027: Enumeration begins in remote, snow-bound areas of J&K, Ladakh
Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday declared commencement of Population Enumeration (Phase-II) of Census 2027 across the snow-bound areas of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with field operations formally launched from the remote and snow-bound areas of Dudu and Basantgarh in Udhampur district.
The September enumeration marks a significant operational milestone in Census 2027, as the Census machinery now moves towards the enumeration of the population itself, with special arrangements in place to ensure comprehensive coverage of the region’s remote, high-altitude and difficult-to-access areas.
Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir covers 16 districts and 95 Charges, with an estimated 4,146 Enumeration Blocks being formed. These include Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam. In Ladakh, the entire Union Territory is being enumerated during September through an estimated 637 Enumeration Blocks, making it the first Union Territory to be completely enumerated during the second phase of Census 2027.
Sharma, said that the commencement of Population Enumeration from Dudu and Basantgarh carries particular significance as it reflects the Directorate’s commitment to taking the Census to every part of the Union Territories, including areas where terrain, distance and weather present formidable field challenges. He said extensive preparations involving Enumeration Block demarcation, mapping, logistics, training and deployment of field functionaries have been undertaken to ensure that every household and every resident is brought within the ambit of the Census.
He also highlighted that during the Self-Enumeration phase for Population Enumeration in snow-bound areas, the UT of Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the top-performing State/UT among all the snow-bound areas covered under the September 2026 Population Enumeration schedule, recording the highest number of Self-Enumeration submissions. The Self-Enumeration exercise was conducted from August 17 to 31, 2026, which provided residents an opportunity to participate directly in the digital Census process.
During the Self-Enumeration phase for Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas, conducted from 17 to 31 August 2026, the UT of Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the top-performing State/UT among all the States and Union Territories covered under the snow-bound enumeration schedule, recording 9,672 Self-Enumeration submissions. The response was particularly encouraging in several districts, with Pulwama recording 3,204, Kishtwar 2,231, Doda 1,169, Ramban 629, Poonch 569 and Kulgam 554 Self-Enumerations. In Ladakh, 527 households completed Self-Enumeration, including 301 in Kargil and 226 in Leh. Thus, a combined 10,199 households across the two Union Territories participated through Self-Enumeration ahead of the field phase.
A significant component of the September exercise will be the enumeration of the houseless population, which will also be covered during this phase.