CPCO Amit reviews special enumeration plans for Defence, CAPF in J&K, Ladakh

Special Census enumeration begins from Sept 1

JAMMU/LEH: The Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has finalised preparations for a month-long population enumeration in Defence, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) establishments and other restricted locations across the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from September 1 to 30, 2026, ahead of the main national enumeration under Phase-II of Census 2027.

The arrangements were reviewed at a coordination meeting chaired by Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations, J&K and Ladakh, with nodal officers of Defence, CAPF and other organisations.

Representatives of the CISF, ITBP, CRPF, Assam Rifles, Railway Board, Air Force, BRO, BSF and SSB attended the meeting, which focused on ensuring complete, accurate and secure enumeration in establishments where civilian Census personnel may not have access.

The Special Charges include Defence and CAPF establishments, training centres, research institutions and other restricted-access locations. Given their operational and security requirements, the Census Directorate has adopted a separate administrative mechanism for conducting enumeration in these areas.

Sharma said Census 2027 will be India’s first Census conducted digitally, while the Special Charges exercise has been structured to meet the security requirements of participating establishments. He stressed that every eligible person must be counted accurately, irrespective of the location or nature of the establishment, while maintaining confidentiality and security.

Under the arrangements, Census Charge Officers, Enumerators and Supervisors will be appointed from within the respective establishments. Nodal officers will coordinate with the Directorate on the appointment of Census functionaries, training, supply of Census material and completion of the exercise within the prescribed timeframe.

The September enumeration will cover basic information, demographic and social characteristics, language and education, economic activity, migration, fertility and other prescribed particulars. Specific provisions will apply to certain responses relating to economic activity and migration for Defence and CAPF personnel.

The Directorate will conduct training for Nodal Officers, Charge Officers, Enumerators and Supervisors associated with Special Charges in snow-bound areas. The training will focus on standardising Census concepts, definitions and procedures to minimise errors during data collection.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements for supervision, data entry, secure handling and transfer of Census material, besides field coordination and monitoring mechanisms.

The special schedule assumes particular importance for Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, where difficult terrain and harsh winter conditions necessitate completion of population enumeration before the main national schedule. Previous Census reviews in Ladakh have also stressed comprehensive coverage of remote, border and seasonal settlements and strict verification of entries.

The Directorate has been emphasising digital data collection, accuracy and quality control across ongoing Census preparations in the region.

The coordination mechanism involving Defence, CAPF and specialised organisations is expected to enable secure and comprehensive enumeration across all designated Special Charges during the September exercise.