Srinagar, May 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday completed his self-enumeration, formally marking the commencement of the House Listing Operations (HLO) and Housing Census for Census 2027 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor described Census 2027 as a historic exercise, noting that it will be India’s first fully digital and paperless Census, integrating advanced technologies, mobile-based data collection systems, and self-enumeration mechanisms. He said the initiative is designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, accuracy, and enable real-time monitoring of field operations.
He further observed that the upcoming Census carries special significance for Jammu and Kashmir in view of rapid urban expansion, migration patterns, changing administrative boundaries, and evolving developmental priorities. The data generated, he said, will provide a reliable and granular database for evidence-based governance, targeted welfare delivery, and long-term planning.
The Self-Enumeration phase, which began on May 17, 2026, will continue till May 31, 2026. During this period, information will be collected on housing conditions and related household parameters, including type of construction, amenities and facilities, access to drinking water and sanitation, availability of electricity and internet, household assets, and communication and transport facilities.
The Population Enumeration phase will be conducted in February 2027 in normal areas, while in snow-bound and non-synchronous regions of Jammu and Kashmir it will be carried out earlier in September 2027, in line with notified operational timelines and logistical arrangements. This phase will cover key demographic and socio-economic indicators such as age, gender, literacy, occupation, migration, marital status, disability, fertility, and other population characteristics.
Officials said extensive preparatory work is already underway across the Union Territory in coordination with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. More than 27,000 field functionaries, including enumerators and supervisors, are being deployed, with their registration and digital integration being carried out through the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS). QR-coded appointment letters and identity cards are also being generated through the digital platform.
A multi-tier training framework has been established to ensure effective capacity building. National Trainers have trained Master Trainers, who in turn have trained Field Trainers at the district level. These Field Trainers are now conducting phased training sessions for enumerators and supervisors, focusing on census concepts, digital data collection, mobile application usage, household engagement, self-enumeration facilitation, and strict adherence to data confidentiality protocols.
Special arrangements are also being made for remote, hilly, and snow-bound areas of the Union Territory to ensure smooth execution of census operations under challenging geographical and climatic conditions, with dedicated logistics and deployment strategies in place.
Officials said Census 2027 is expected to serve as a cornerstone for modern governance and development planning, aligned with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.