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Leh, August 5: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Tuesday reviewed preparations for Phase-II (Population Enumeration) of Census 2027 in Ladakh, directing officials to ensure robust digital infrastructure, extensive public awareness and seamless execution of the nationwide population enumeration exercise.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the Chief Secretary assessed the operational framework, digital readiness, training plans and awareness strategy for the upcoming census phase.
During the meeting, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Amit Sharma, presented a detailed roadmap for Phase-II, covering self-enumeration, population enumeration, digital tools, training of census personnel, publicity measures and strategies for conducting the exercise in remote and snow-bound areas. He informed the meeting that the self-enumeration facility will open from August 17, 2026, enabling residents to voluntarily submit household and individual details through the designated online platform before field enumeration begins.
Reviewing the preparations, Kundra emphasised that the self-enumeration portal should be user-friendly, secure and accessible to all eligible residents. He sought details on the mobile application, verification mechanisms and safeguards to prevent duplication while ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of census data.
The Chief Secretary also called for a comprehensive awareness campaign involving schools, teachers, educational institutions, community leaders and local representatives to encourage maximum public participation. He directed officials to effectively utilise digital communication platforms and social media alongside conventional outreach methods.
Highlighting the importance of accurate population data for policy planning and public service delivery, Kundra instructed all departments to extend full support to the Directorate of Census Operations and ensure that field functionaries receive adequate training well before the commencement of Phase-II, with special focus on remote and snow-bound regions.
The meeting also reviewed the infrastructure needs of the Directorate of Census Operations. Taking note of the requirement for a permanent office, the Chief Secretary directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh, to identify and allot suitable land in or around Leh city on priority, subject to applicable rules and procedures.
