Leh, Sep 25: Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan undertook a four-day visit to Ladakh to review the progress of Population Enumeration for Census 2027, including fieldwork in remote and snow-bound areas of the Union Territory.
Narayan was accompanied by Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), J&K and Ladakh. The visit included review meetings with the UT and district administrations, Special Charges and census field functionaries, besides visits to remote locations to assess the enumeration process on the ground.
At Leh, Narayan met Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra and reviewed the overall progress of Population Enumeration and preparedness of the field machinery. Sharma briefed him on arrangements for comprehensive coverage of civilian areas and Special Charges, and the coordination being maintained with the UT Administration, district authorities and field functionaries.
Narayan and Sharma also held a detailed review with nodal and charge officers of Special Charges, including the Air Force, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and BRO. Discussions focused on enumeration progress, field preparedness and coordination mechanisms for ensuring coverage of these strategically important establishments.
The team subsequently reviewed the census exercise with the District Administration of Kargil during a visit to Zanskar and interacted with Enumerators and Supervisors. Narayan sought feedback on operational challenges and the support required by field personnel to complete the exercise effectively.
A major component of the visit was the assessment of enumeration in remote and snow-bound areas. Narayan, accompanied by Sharma and census officials, visited Nubra, Chumathang and Chushul in Nyoma and interacted with Enumerators and Supervisors working under difficult geographical conditions.
The officials also reviewed the functioning of the Census mobile application being used for digital data collection. Field personnel shared their experiences, including practical difficulties and suggestions for improving the application. Narayan and Sharma assured them that the feedback would be examined and necessary improvements incorporated into the technology used for forthcoming census activities.
Ladakh has particular significance in Census 2027 as the entire Union Territory is undergoing Population Enumeration during September 2026, covering an estimated 637 Enumeration Blocks. This follows the completion of House Listing Operations covering 579 Houselisting Blocks across 17 Charges.
The ongoing exercise is the first Census operation in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019 and is expected to provide an updated statistical profile of the region.
Sharma stressed the importance of combining technology with continuous field-level feedback, particularly given Ladakh’s diverse terrain and challenging working conditions.
The visit concluded with a comprehensive review of census operations across civilian areas, Special Charges and remote locations. Officials said the field assessment and interactions with personnel would help strengthen complete coverage, accurate data collection and technological support for the ongoing Census 2027 exercise.
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