University of Ladakh hosts Census awareness Seminar, Quiz on population enumeration 2027

LEH: The University of Ladakh on Wednesday hosted a Census Quiz-cum-Awareness Seminar to familiarise students and faculty with the importance of Census 2027, with officials urging young people to become ambassadors of the nationwide exercise and promote public participation in the upcoming population enumeration.

Organised at the University’s Leh Campus under the mentorship of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha, the programme featured Chief Principal Census Officer and Director of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, IAS, as the Chief Guest.

The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by Registrar CA Priyanka Sengar, who stressed the importance of involving students in the Census process.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Kushwaha described the Census as an essential exercise for planning, policy formulation and understanding the country’s socio-economic profile. He encouraged students to actively participate in awareness campaigns and support the successful conduct of Census 2027.

In his presidential address, Amit Sharma highlighted the increasing use of digital technology in the Census process and encouraged students to embrace Self-Enumeration, one of the major features of Census 2027. He also urged the youth to stay away from drug abuse and focus on education, innovation and nation-building.

Sharma said the Population Enumeration phase in Ladakh will be conducted from September 1 to September 30, while Self-Enumeration will begin on August 17, a fortnight before field operations commence. He added that Ladakh is expected to become the first State or Union Territory in the country to complete the Census exercise, ahead of the nationwide schedule extending until February 2027.

The technical session was conducted by Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer Amit Kumar Bhargav and Assistant Chief Principal Census Officer Rohini Pokhrel, who briefed participants on the history of the Census, technological advancements, the present-day Census process and the role of citizens in ensuring accurate data collection.

The programme concluded with the distribution of prizes to winners of the Census 2027 Quiz, followed by the National Anthem, group photographs and a vote of thanks.

Senior Census officials, faculty members and students attended the seminar, which focused on expanding awareness about digital Census methods, Self-Enumeration and citizen participation.