5,292 Enumeration Blocks Covered, J&K Tops UTs in Self-Enumeration While Final Figures Await February Exercise in Plains
Jammu | October, 6: Census 2027 population enumeration in snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has been successfully completed, covering 5,292 Enumeration Blocks (EBs), including 4,597 in J&K and 695 in Ladakh, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations Amit Sharma announced on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Sharma said a five-day revision round concluded on October 5, during which data was re-verified and updates, including births and deaths, were incorporated. All of Ladakh was covered under the snow-bound exercise, while 16 districts in J&K contained snow-bound areas, with Kishtwar fully covered under the category. In Ladakh, enumeration was completed in 367 EBs in Leh and 328 in Kargil. In J&K, Doda recorded the highest number at 798 EBs, followed by Kishtwar (602), Ramban (418), Anantnag (377), and Baramulla (359). Self-enumeration in these snow-bound areas took place from August 17 to 31, followed by field operations from September 1 to 30.
Sharma noted that J&K ranked first among Union Territories and eighth nationally in self-enumeration, attributing the performance to strong public participation and awareness campaigns. “This is India’s first paperless Census, with self-enumeration introduced for the first time,” he said. Independent observers and top Census officials reviewed field operations in remote regions. Additionally, enumeration was completed in 125 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) charges in J&K and 47 in Ladakh using paper-based methods for security reasons, which will be digitized later.
Around Rs 49.2 crore has been released for infrastructure, training, honorariums, and operational expenses, with the first phase of payments already transferred directly to enumerators’ and supervisors’ accounts. Work on the District Census Handbook is underway from October 1 to 30 to serve as a vital planning document for development programs. Clarifying reports regarding population figures, Sharma emphasized that no final numbers will be released this week, as population enumeration in J&K’s plain areas will be conducted in February before final notification begins.
