Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 8

More than 6.67 lakh households in Jammu and Kashmir have completed self-enumeration for Census 2027, placing the Union Territory first among all Union Territories and eighth nationally among states and UTs where the process has been undertaken, officials said on Monday.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the progress of the ongoing House Listing Operations (HLO), the first phase of Census 2027, at a meeting of the Union Territory Level Census Coordination Committee.

Dulloo described the census as a critical national exercise that serves as the foundation for evidence-based planning and policy formulation, and directed district administrations and field staff to ensure complete coverage of all households and population groups.

He instructed the Planning Department to monitor the progress of house listing operations on a daily basis and ensure completion of the exercise by June 30.

Officials informed the meeting that extensive preparations had been made for the House Listing and Housing Census across Jammu and Kashmir.

Director Census Operations for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, said 23,887 House Listing Blocks (HLBs) had been created across 295 census charges in the Union Territory. Field operations have begun in 14,279 HLBs, with data collection progressing across districts, he said.

As of June 1, 2026, a total of 6.67 lakh households had completed self-enumeration through the digital platform, Sharma added.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements for enumerating migratory and transhumant populations, including Gujjar and Bakerwal communities.

Officials said a coordinated mechanism involving the Forest, Tribal Affairs, Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry and School Education departments, along with district administrations, had been put in place to ensure full coverage of migratory populations during the census exercise.

Information on migratory routes, tribal hostels, mobile schools, sheep husbandry camps and other congregation points has been shared with district authorities to facilitate enumeration.

District administrations have also been advised to adopt flexible strategies, including fixing special enumeration dates and creating additional House Listing Blocks where necessary, to ensure no eligible household or population group is left out.

Dulloo directed officers to maintain strict adherence to census guidelines and timelines and called on all departments and local authorities to extend full cooperation to census personnel.

He said the success of the census exercise depended on coordinated efforts by government departments, field staff and district administrations, and urged all stakeholders to carry out their responsibilities with diligence and accountability.