Census 2027 begins with digital mode across J&K today
Self-Enumeration Window Now Open
Jammu, May 16: As a part of mega exercise underway across the country, 2-phase Census 2027 will commence in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the House Listing Operations (HLO) digitally through self-enumeration portal from tomorrow, May 17, 2026.
The option to self-enumerate wherein people can submit their own information through (Self Enumeration) online portal is a first-time feature and unique initiative of Census 2027.
The 15-day self-enumeration period precedes the first phase of House Listing Operations and Housing Census – field exercise of house-to-house visits by enumerators, scheduled from June 1 to June 30, 2026.
As per notified HLO schedule, the self-enumeration window (portal) opened on May 17, 2026 at 6 am. The process of self-enumeration (digital mode) will continue till May 31, 2026.
Census officials are encouraging the citizens to participate in the self-enumeration exercise by following simple steps, to ensure ease, transparency and accurate data collection.
The citizens, as per the public notice, can access the (self-enumeration) portal at se.census.gov.in and register themselves using an active mobile number to receive a secure login.
They can fill in the required household and individual details as prompted by the system. The citizens have been directed to provide correct and complete information regarding their household to avoid future discrepancies.
As a final step (for self-enumeration), they will have to submit the digital form and save the reference number for future verification during field numeration.
For the first time, census operation, being conducted after a gap of more than 15 years, will be a fully digital and paperless exercise, as a part of the national exercise – vital for development planning and welfare initiatives.
According to Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, the census reference date would be March 1, 2027, however for UT of Ladakh and snow bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir (besides states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), it would be October 1, 2026.
Data collection in J&K will be done through mobile apps both android and iOS in three languages i.e., English, Hindi and Urdu.
Phase II of census operation will relate to population enumeration (including caste census). In non-snow bound areas, it will be undertaken in February 2027 while snow-bound areas will be covered earlier in September 2026 as per notified timelines.
Around 28000 enumerators and supervisors will be engaged in census operations in J&K.
Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav, while allaying apprehensions about the census operations, has stated that it (census) is not linked to validating citizenship or legal residency.
Earlier, Amit Sharma had also clarified that Census 2027 was entirely distinct from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“SIR pertains to revision of voter lists and is conducted by the Election Commission. However, the Census is a comprehensive national exercise for collection of demographics, socio-economic and housing data of persons for policy planning and governance, conducted under Census Act 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990,” Chief Principal Census Officer J&K and Ladakh had stated.
Dr Yadav, giving a brief account of arrangements for Jammu city census operations during the presser, informed that over 1200 enumerators would be engaged in the gigantic exercise and all MLAs would be “census ambassadors” to spread awareness among the masses.
As per the public notice, it is statutory mandatory and the public responsibility, in accordance with SO 114 dated April 16, 2026, for every resident to cooperate and furnish accurate information during the census process. Under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, (Section 8, 9, 10, 11 and 15), furnishing false information or non-cooperation with the directives of the authorised Census officers may attract legal consequences.
The people, however, have been assured that all information collected during the Census process will remain strictly confidential and will be used solely for statistical national policy formulation purposes. (Greater Kashmir)