India’s Census 2027 is marking a major shift in the country’s demographic data collection, with digital enumeration, self-enumeration and technology-enabled coverage of remote populations transforming the exercise.Ladakh has emerged as the first Union Territory to complete the Census process, while Jammu & Kashmir has made substantial progress despite difficult terrain, seasonal migration and connectivity challenges.In an interaction with Anoop Verma, Amit Sharma, IAS, Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration, Ministry of Home Affairs, for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, discusses the progress of Census 2027, the use of digital technologies, innovative strategies for enumerating migratory communities and the significance of reliable demographic data for governance and development planning.Amit Sharma also highlights measures to protect citizens from cyber fraud during the Census exercise.Edited excerpts:India is conducting its first Census since 2011, following an unusually long gap. What are the major preparations underway in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and what administrative, technological and logistical challenges have you encountered?
We have already completed approximately 60–70% of the Census exercise across the two Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which fall under my jurisdiction. The first phase, the House Listing Operation, was conducted successfully in both Union Territories during June. The second phase, Population Enumeration, which involves 40 questions, has also been completed successfully in the snowbound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.Ladakh is entirely classified as snowbound for Census purposes. Consequently, the complete Census 2027 exercise in Ladakh was concluded in September. This makes Ladakh the first State or Union Territory in the country to complete the entire Census exercise. In Jammu & Kashmir, the House Listing Operation has been completed. Of its 20 districts, 16 have partially snowbound areas, while Jammu, Srinagar, Rajouri and Samba are treated as plain-area districts for this exercise. Population Enumeration in the snowbound areas was also completed successfully in September.We are now awaiting the final round of Population Enumeration in the remaining plain areas of Jammu & Kashmir, which is likely to take place in February 2027. Conducting this exercise has involved significant logistical and administrative challenges, particularly in the remote mountainous areas. However, through advance planning, training and coordination with the local administration, we have been able to complete the scheduled activities successfully.Census 2027 is India’s first fully digital Census, with mobile-based data collection and provisions for self-enumeration. How will these technological innovations improve data accuracy and enable faster processing of demographic information? You have also served as IT Secretary in several States and Union Territories. How has that experience helped?My experience as IT Secretary in three States and Union Territories has been extremely useful in my present assignment. I have always had a strong interest in Digital India and the use of technology for improving governance.When I was offered the opportunity to serve as Director of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, I considered it a rare opportunity in an officer’s career. Here was an exercise being undertaken after a gap of approximately 15–16 years, and for the first time, it was being conducted entirely in digital mode.This is a historic transformation. Earlier, Census data collection involved extensive paperwork, and the processing and publication of results could take months or even years. With digital enumeration, we expect the process to become significantly faster. I believe that, following the necessary processing and validation, data could become available within weeks or a few months rather than the much longer periods experienced earlier.The Census is being conducted through dedicated digital applications. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has been entrusted with important technological responsibilities. The supporting data centres are ISO-certified and have been designated as critical infrastructure. They are located in places such as Delhi, Lucknow and Bengaluru.Another important innovation is self-enumeration. For the first time, residents have been given the opportunity to enter their own information through a digital platform. They can identify their location, provide the required household details and answer the 33 questions associated with the House Listing Operation.We promoted self-enumeration extensively in Jammu & Kashmir during June, and the public response was very encouraging. I am particularly happy to share that Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the leading Union Territory in terms of the number of self-enumerations and ranked eighth nationally.This demonstrates the growing digital awareness of people in Jammu & Kashmir. We promoted the initiative through the message, “Apna Data, Khud Do”—encouraging citizens to provide their own information. The larger significance of this digital transformation is that it can improve accuracy, reduce errors, minimise duplication and accelerate the availability of demographic information. Ministries, government departments, businesses and institutions are waiting for updated Census figures because the last official Census data dates back to 2011.The forthcoming data will also have major implications for policymaking, resource allocation and processes such as delimitation.Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have undergone significant administrative, economic and social changes since the 2011 Census. What demographic trends do you expect Census 2027 to reveal, particularly regarding urbanisation, migration, population distribution and household structures?
Jammu & Kashmir has experienced changes at multiple levels since the previous Census. The most significant constitutional development was the reorganisation of the former State in 2019 into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.There have also been changes in administrative structures, governance arrangements and development priorities. These developments make the forthcoming Census particularly important. The precise demographic changes will become clear only after the Census data is processed and published. However, from my own experience and observations, considerable urbanisation has taken place since 2011. New townships have emerged, infrastructure has expanded, and economic activities have diversified.We have witnessed substantial developments in education, healthcare, industrialisation and connectivity. I would not be surprised if the new data reveals positive trends in educational attainment, population indicators and other socioeconomic parameters. There have also been major infrastructure developments. The extension of Vande Bharat connectivity to Kashmir, the construction of important railway bridges, the expansion of road networks and expressways, and the modernisation of airports are transforming regional connectivity.Ladakh has also witnessed considerable development. Having served there, I have personally observed the expansion of infrastructure and the introduction of new technologies. For instance, during my tenure as Secretary handling IT, Transport and Rural Development, we introduced five hydrogen fuel-cell buses in Ladakh as part of the effort to promote cleaner mobility and support the vision of making Ladakh carbon-neutral.Such initiatives illustrate the changes taking place in the region. We are all looking forward to the provisional Census figures, which will help us understand the actual demographic and socioeconomic transformation. Once the nationwide Census exercise is completed in the first quarter of 2027, we expect the emerging data to provide valuable insights into these changes.Ladakh’s high-altitude settlements, harsh climatic conditions and sparse population present challenges very different from those in the Kashmir Valley or Jammu region. What special arrangements were made to ensure comprehensive enumeration in remote villages and border settlements?
This was among the most challenging aspects of our Census operations. Many areas of Ladakh and parts of Jammu & Kashmir become inaccessible during the severe winter months. Some settlements are located at extremely high altitudes, where weather conditions, difficult terrain and limited connectivity make even routine administrative work challenging.We therefore placed considerable emphasis on training our enumerators and supervisors and preparing them for these conditions. One important technological arrangement was the provision for offline data collection. In locations where mobile or internet connectivity was unavailable, enumerators could collect information offline and upload it once they returned to an area with network coverage.We also made special logistical arrangements. In Ladakh, enumerators could use locally available means of transport, including yaks, horses and mules, to reach remote settlements. In difficult terrain, we provided additional support such as gumboots, umbrellas and other necessary equipment.The Changthang region, for instance, has extremely remote settlements inhabited by tribal communities. The distance between two households can be substantial, requiring enumerators to travel considerable distances. We also deployed personnel familiar with these regions, including individuals who had experience working in migratory schools or serving communities in remote mountainous areas.These were people who understood the terrain, local conditions and movement patterns of the population. The objective was to ensure that difficult geography did not become a reason for excluding any household or individual from the Census. We have documented several experiences from these operations and intend to share them to demonstrate how enumeration was carried out despite adverse weather, difficult terrain and connectivity constraints.Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have distinctive patterns of seasonal migration, including the movement of nomadic communities, migrant workers and populations living in border districts. What strategies have you adopted to ensure accurate enumeration of these mobile populations without duplication or omission?
This is one of the most important and innovative aspects of our Census operations, and I believe our experience can become a model for other regions in India and even for countries facing similar challenges. The Indian Census follows an extended de facto approach to enumeration. In simple terms, people are counted according to the prescribed enumeration arrangements relating to where they are present.However, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have substantial transhumant populations — communities that migrate seasonally with their livestock between different geographical locations. These include Gujjar, Bakarwal, Gaddi and other tribal communities. During the summer months, many families move to high-altitude pastures with their cattle and sheep. When winter approaches, they return to lower elevations.Traditionally, there have been concerns that such populations may be missed during Census operations because they are constantly moving. We decided to address this problem through a specially designed, technology-enabled strategy.We collaborated with the Forest Department, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, School Education Department and Health Department. We collected KML files containing geographical information about the migratory routes followed by these communities. These files helped us identify the starting points of migration, intermediate stopping locations, final destinations, the districts through which the communities travelled, and the places where they camped.Based on this information, we extended the jurisdiction of enumeration charges to cover the relevant high-altitude areas. We also involved forest personnel, teachers serving migratory schools, mobile healthcare workers, veterinarians and other individuals familiar with the movement patterns of these communities.Specialised teams were sent to remote locations to collect information directly from the migratory population. The exercise covered difficult regions, including areas towards Zanskar, the mountainous belts of Kishtwar, and high-altitude locations in Kashmir such as Doodhpathri and Shaliganga. I am happy to share that, according to our assessment, we achieved 100% coverage of the identified migratory population during these operations.This required extensive coordination, geographical mapping, logistical support and continuous monitoring. We intend to document and share this experience with the relevant ministries after the Census exercise is completed. I believe this approach offers an important example of how technology, local knowledge and interdepartmental cooperation can improve the enumeration of mobile populations.As Director of Citizen Registration, you also have responsibilities relating to population registration. What initiatives are being undertaken to strengthen civil registration systems, improve data accuracy and accelerate the registration of births and deaths?
Citizen registration is an equally important responsibility, and we have been taking several steps to strengthen the system across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. After assuming charge, I held meetings with district-level officials. The District Magistrates also serve as Principal Census Officers, and in my capacity as Chief Principal Census Officer, I regularly interact with them.I have also been personally visiting districts, including remote and mountainous areas, to review the progress of Census operations and related administrative activities. Regarding citizen registration, we have conducted high-level meetings under the leadership of the respective Chief Secretaries of the two Union Territories. A major focus is the decentralisation and digitisation of the registration process.Earlier, information relating to births and deaths often had to move from hospitals to municipal authorities before registration could be completed. We are working towards arrangements under which registration can take place directly at the hospital level, with the necessary authority and digital systems available to the institutions concerned. This can significantly reduce procedural delays and make the process more convenient for citizens.Another area receiving attention is the registration of causes of death. Improving the accuracy and completeness of this information is important for public health planning and for simplifying procedures that families must complete following a death. We are also conducting activities relating to the Civil Registration System (CRS) and Sample Registration System (SRS), including training, awareness programmes and field-level reviews.Our teams visit different districts to examine how registration systems are functioning, identify difficulties faced by citizens and provide necessary guidance. At present, the Census exercise is our immediate priority. Once Census 2027 is completed, we intend to devote renewed attention to strengthening citizen registration systems, which are continuous and essential components of public administration.Caste enumeration is being included in Census 2027. What additional responsibilities does this create for enumerators and administrators, and how are you ensuring accuracy, public confidence and the protection of sensitive information?
The inclusion of caste enumeration is a policy decision taken by the Government of India, and our responsibility is to implement that decision in accordance with the prescribed procedures.The question relating to caste forms part of the Population Enumeration phase, which is the second phase of the Census. It is an open-ended question. There is no predefined drop-down menu, and respondents can provide information about their caste according to the prescribed format. I can share our experience from the snowbound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, where Population Enumeration has already been conducted.We have not encountered any significant public controversy or resistance regarding this question. People have been forthcoming in providing the required information. A major reason for this has been our extensive public-awareness campaign. We publicised the 40 questions included in Population Enumeration through newspapers, radio, social media, internet platforms and public influencers.Our objective was to ensure that people understood the nature of the information being collected before enumerators visited their households. The questions cover various aspects of the population, including demographic characteristics, migration, occupation and other prescribed personal particulars. I have observed considerable enthusiasm among residents of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regarding the Census.People understand that demographic information plays an important role in planning schools, colleges, roads, healthcare facilities, social welfare programmes, employment-related initiatives and the distribution of essential services. The Census provides a fundamental statistical basis for future development.Another important feature is self-enumeration, which allows residents to enter their information directly. Enumerators subsequently visit households to verify the information before it is finalised. We have also made special arrangements for enumerating personnel belonging to the armed forces and security establishments stationed in the region. These are treated as special enumeration charges.The Indian Army has been cooperative in providing the necessary information through its established administrative arrangements. Other security organisations have also been provided with the required training. Because of strategic and security considerations, special procedures have been adopted for collecting information from certain security establishments, including the use of paper schedules followed by digitisation through their own systems.This ensures that sensitive operational environments are appropriately accommodated within the Census framework.The success of the Census depends heavily on public cooperation and the effectiveness of field-level enumerators. What measures are being taken to strengthen digital capabilities, communicate with citizens and address concerns about confidentiality and cyber fraud?
The transition to a digital Census represents a fundamental change in the way this exercise is being conducted. Earlier, enumerators carried large paper schedules, which subsequently had to be scanned, digitised and processed. This involved considerable time and effort. Now, the principal enumeration process is digital, which can improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency.However, technology alone is not sufficient. Public awareness and confidence are equally important. We began our awareness campaigns well before the enumeration exercise commenced. We explained to residents how the digital system works, what information would be collected and how self-enumeration could be undertaken. My earlier experience as Director of Census Operations in Mizoram also helped me understand the importance of beginning public communication sufficiently early.We have established monitoring and support mechanisms, including a central control room in New Delhi operating around the clock and additional support arrangements at the regional level. We are also providing helpline facilities so that residents can raise concerns or report difficulties. One particularly important area is the prevention of cyber fraud. I would like to emphasise that citizens should verify the identity of Census enumerators before sharing information.Authorised enumerators are provided with identity cards containing QR codes, which can be scanned to verify their authenticity. We are advising residents to check these credentials carefully. We are also warning people against individuals who may attempt to misuse the Census exercise to obtain financial or confidential information.Let me make this absolutely clear: Census officials do not ask citizens for their bank account numbers, credit card numbers, banking passwords or OTPs. There is a question concerning the number of bank accounts a household or individual may have, but respondents are not required to disclose the actual account numbers. Only the number of accounts is relevant for that question.If anyone approaches a citizen claiming to be associated with the Census and asks for banking credentials, OTPs or similar confidential financial information, that person should be reported to the police or the Census authorities. We have been conducting extensive awareness campaigns to prevent such fraudulent activities.Cybercrime has become a serious concern, and we do not want criminals to exploit the Census process to deceive people. The digital Census provides citizens with the opportunity to enter their information themselves, verify their details and confirm their submissions. At the same time, we are ensuring that the public understands the procedures and the safeguards necessary to protect their information.Our objective is to make Census 2027 a transparent, accurate, efficient and citizen-friendly exercise.
