Jammu and Kashmir is preparing for the Census 2027, an exercise the region’s Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, has characterized as a crucial component of the ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative. Dulloo emphasized that the upcoming census goes beyond simple enumeration, representing instead a National Digital Transformation Mission intended to establish a foundation for evidence-based policy planning.
Dulloo made these remarks at the Census 2027 Summit in Jammu, an event attended by senior administrators, development partners, and policy experts. Discussions centered on the roadmap, preparedness, and significance of the 2027 Census, planned as the country’s first fully digital and paperless census.
The summit saw participation from various dignitaries, including Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; Andrea M Wojnar, Resident Representative of UNFPA India; Praful Kumar Sigtia, Deputy Director General (Information Security) at UIDAI; and Rohit Kumar, Co-Chair (Policy Making) for the G20.
Dulloo highlighted India’s entry into an era of governance shaped by technology and real-time insights. Drawing a contrast between the upcoming census and the manual, time-intensive methods used in 2011, he underscored a shift towards a technology-driven, citizen-focused framework. This framework will leverage mobile-based enumeration, artificial intelligence, and cloud technology to enhance accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
He emphasized the increasing importance of data as a key driver for national economies in an AI-driven future, noting that India’s diverse demographics provide a rich dataset for training AI systems, potentially positioning the nation as a leader in data-driven innovation. The integration of national datasets with the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) has enabled the government to directly target beneficiaries, significantly reducing leakages, according to Dulloo.
This data ecosystem can facilitate micro-level scientific planning for urban and rural areas, supporting tailored infrastructure development in sectors like health, education, and employment at the village and district levels. Amit Sharma detailed the two-phased structure of the Census 2027. The initial phase, covering House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), includes a self-enumeration period from May 17 to May 31, followed by house-to-house fieldwork from June 1 to June 30, 2026. The Population Enumeration (PE) phase is scheduled to begin in September 2026 for snow-bound areas and in February 2027 for non-snowbound regions.
Sharma mentioned the establishment of a structured training program to ensure smooth execution, with comprehensive training sessions for enumerators and supervisors already in progress across the region. Andrea M Wojnar from UNFPA India noted the global trend toward adopting digital technology and self-enumeration in census practices, expressing confidence that Census 2027 will prove a robust and comprehensive exercise in India.
The last census conducted in India was in 2011. The Census 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its future remains uncertain. According to the previous census, the population of Jammu and Kashmir was 12.55 million. The census provides detailed information on demographics, economic activity, literacy and education, housing, household amenities, urbanization, fertility, mortality, scheduled castes and tribes, language, religion, migration, disability and many other socio-cultural and demographic data.
The importance of accurate census data extends beyond policy planning. It affects resource allocation, delimitation of constituencies, and fair representation in government. Delays in conducting the census can lead to skewed policies and inequitable distribution of resources. Observers note that the digital transformation of the census process promises to streamline data collection and analysis, potentially leading to more timely and effective policy interventions. However, this requires addressing challenges related to digital literacy and access to technology, particularly in rural and remote areas.
As J&K prepares for Census 2027, strategies for ensuring inclusive participation and data accuracy will be essential. Integrating local knowledge and community involvement can enhance the relevance and reliability of the collected data. Civil society organizations and local leaders play a crucial role in ensuring that all sections of the population are adequately represented in the census.
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is responsible for conducting the census. The office operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The legal framework for the census is provided by the Census Act of 1948. This act empowers the government to conduct the census and collect data, and it also ensures the confidentiality of the information provided by individuals.
The digital census will enable real-time monitoring of the enumeration process, allowing for immediate corrective actions if any discrepancies are detected. The use of AI can help in identifying patterns and anomalies in the data, leading to better insights and evidence-based decision-making. The success of Census 2027 will depend on the effective use of technology, the active participation of citizens, and the coordination of various government agencies and stakeholders.
The adoption of a digital approach represents a significant step forward in modernizing the census process in India. By leveraging technology, the government aims to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of data collection, ultimately contributing to more informed and effective policy-making and governance.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
