Kargil, June 19: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, on Friday said that Ladakh is set to become the first State or Union Territory in the country to complete Census operations by September 2026.
Chairing a review meeting on the ongoing House Listing Operations (HLO) for Census 2027 in Kargil, Sharma said the reference date for Census figures in Ladakh would be October 1, 2026, at 0000 hours.
Describing the Census as a vital national exercise, he said accurate data forms the foundation for evidence-based governance, development planning and equitable allocation of resources. He also emphasized that information collected during the Census is confidential and protected under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, making it non-shareable with any agency and inadmissible in courts.
Reviewing the progress in Kargil district, Sharma appreciated the preparedness of the administration and highlighted the challenges of conducting Census operations in Ladakh’s rugged terrain, scattered settlements and remote border villages. He stressed the need for accuracy and thorough verification to ensure high-quality data.
The CPCO directed charge officers and supervisors to carry out regular field inspections and quality checks while ensuring complete coverage of households, including those in remote habitations, border areas and seasonal settlements. He also reviewed training programmes, awareness campaigns and monitoring mechanisms aimed at ensuring error-free Census operations, particularly among migratory populations in higher reaches of the district.
Later, Sharma briefed the media on the progress of House Listing Operations and appealed to the people of Ladakh, especially residents of Kargil district, to cooperate fully with Census enumerators and provide accurate information for inclusive development and future planning.
