Chief Secretary reviews Census-2027 preparedness

Srinagar, May 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Monday chaired the 3rd meeting of the UT Level Census Coordination Committee here to review the preparedness for the initial phase of Self-Enumeration and House Listing activities for Census 2027 across the districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Secretary took this occasion to emphasize on the need for conducting vigorous and comprehensive training programmes for both Enumerators and Supervisors to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in data capturing during the Census process. He underscored that well-trained field functionaries would be key to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the entire enumeration exercise.
He further directed that the formation and demarcation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs) be completed well before the commencement of enumeration so that the process remains seamless, exhaustive and free from any lacunae. He stressed upon close monitoring of the progress at district and charge levels to avoid delays and ensure proper ground preparedness.
The Chief Secretary also called for launching effective and coordinated promotional campaigns involving different departments and stakeholders on designated thematic days to encourage citizens to voluntarily participate in the Self-Enumeration process. He observed that active public participation and awareness would play a crucial role in making the Census exercise successful and inclusive.
The Chief Secretary reviewed district-wise preparedness and stressed upon all Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers to ensure seamless coordination, timely completion of preparatory activities and extensive public outreach for achieving maximum participation in Self-Enumeration. He emphasized the importance of regular monitoring at district and charge levels to ensure smooth conduct of the House Listing phase.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar stressed upon conducting multiple rounds of trainings for Enumerators and Supervisors keeping in view the critical and sensitive nature of the Census exercise. He also emphasized that no household, particularly in remote and hilly areas, should be left out during the formation of House Listing Blocks, calling for meticulous planning and field verification to ensure complete coverage.
During the meeting, Director, Census Operations J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, gave a detailed presentation outlining the progress achieved in training of field functionaries, formation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs), appointment of enumerators and supervisors, publicity plans, administrative preparations and fund utilization for the upcoming Census operations.
The meeting was informed that a total of 29 batches for training of Field Trainers had been created across all districts and the training process had substantially been completed by May 10, 2026. Training batches for Enumerators and Supervisors have also been constituted in 17 districts, while training programmes have already commenced in 12 districts.
The Director further informed that all districts and Municipal Corporations have identified the required field staff and the process of appointment and registration on the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal is underway.
It was further informed that the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (ORGI) has approved deployment of 27,784 field functionaries for the UT, including 23,774 Enumerators and 4,014 Supervisors, excluding reserve staff.
Moreover QR-coded appointment letters and identity cards for registered field staff will be generated through the CMMS portal and distributed along with kit items after completion of trainings here.
Regarding House Listing Block formation, the meeting was apprised that more than 24,000 HLBs have been created across Jammu and Kashmir. Out of these, more than half have already been geo-tagged and demarcated. The meeting was apprised that certain districts have sought updation and correction in administrative units, following which related issues have been taken up with ORGI for early resolution.
The presentation also highlighted a comprehensive publicity and awareness campaign being planned for Self-Enumeration. As per ORGI guidelines, the campaign would include print, television, radio and digital media outreach, besides outdoor publicity, social media engagement, exhibitions, mobile publicity vans, nukkad nataks and community-level awareness initiatives in multiple languages including Urdu, Dogri and Gojri.
The meeting was also informed that Self-Enumeration of VVIPs would commence on May 17, 2026, the first day of Self-Enumeration, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures issued by ORGI for encouraging general public. Extensive media coverage and public awareness messaging would also be undertaken during the campaign.
A thematic 15-day Self-Enumeration outreach calendar has also been prepared to ensure participation from different sections of society, including elected representatives, educational institutions, judiciary, uniformed services, industries, health institutions, women’s groups, senior citizens, media organizations and youth groups.
To achieve 100 percent Self-Enumeration, districts have been advised to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions, Common Service Centres, educational institutions and local bodies for facilitating citizens in the enumeration process free of cost. Various districts have already initiated awareness campaigns through public meetings, school activities, debates, press conferences and Gram Sabha announcements.
The meeting also reviewed the status of updation of administrative units on the CMMS portal. It was divulged that administrative boundaries had been frozen as on December 31, 2025, in accordance with notifications issued by the Government of India and the J&K Government. However the requests for updation of villages, wards and locality names have been received from districts and submitted to ORGI for earlier approval.