Jammu & Kashmir Prepares for Census 2027
- Important Decision on 30-Day Houselisting Window Expected Soon
Srinagar– Jammu & Kashmir is gearing up for the Census 2027, with the Union Territory-level Census Coordination Committee set to decide on a 30-day window for houselisting operations (HLO) between April 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026.
The Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, mentioned that Jammu & Kashmir is on the brink of finalizing the timeline for conducting houselisting operations.
Sharma stated, “The census coordination committee will soon determine a 30-day window between April 1 and September 30, 2026,” adding that houselisting operations will take place between June 1 and June 30 in Ladakh.
Chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, the UT-level coordination committee for the census is expected to decide on the 30-day window for HLO in its upcoming meeting.
Sharma elaborated that houselisting operations mark Phase 1 of the census exercise.
He further explained that Phase 2, which involves the population enumeration exercise, will be conducted in September 2026 in snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and in February 2027 in the plains of the Union Territory.
“The population enumeration exercise will be carried out in September 2026 across Ladakh due to its classification as a snow-bound region,” he added.
- New Reserved Categories to Receive Comprehensive Count First
The census holds significance for Jammu & Kashmir as it will provide precise population figures of reserved categories and serve as the foundation for the next delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha segments.
For the first time, the Papadis, Paddaris, Gadda Brahmans, and Koli tribes – included in the Scheduled Tribe list of Jammu & Kashmir in 2024 – will be enumerated as distinct tribes.
The census will also offer data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in J&K for the first time.
It is noteworthy that there are 20 castes/communities included in the Central list of OBCs for J&K, while 41 are listed in the State (UT) list. OBCs in J&K are entitled to 8% reservation in government jobs.
Furthermore, the census will lay the groundwork for the next delimitation of electoral constituencies in the Union Territory, as mandated in the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The law specifies that there can be no readjustment of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats in the UT until the figures from the first census conducted after 2026 are released.
The last delimitation exercise in Jammu & Kashmir was completed on May 5, 2022. (KNO)
