Need for phones with 8 GB RAM raises concern among Census enumerators in J&K

The issue of Census enumerators and supervisors having mobile devices below the required configuration in snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) Amit Sharma in Doda on Thursday (August 20, 2026).

Census 2027 is the country’s first-ever digital Census exercise, and enumerators, mostly school teachers and government employees, are required to capture the data through apps on their personal phones.

Officials informed the meeting about the “technical challenges” faced by field functionaries. It was explained that the mobile devices to be used for the upcoming Population Enumeration exercise are required to have a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and Android 13 or above.

“The issue of enumerators and supervisors having devices below the required configuration was discussed for appropriate resolution,” a statement from the CPCO said.

The meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex, reviewed Doda district’s readiness for the Population Enumeration phase scheduled from September 1 to September 30, 2026.

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) had, on August 14, notified a set of 40 questions to be asked during the Population Enumeration phase, the second phase of the Census, adding 13 new questions or data fields that were not part of the Census 2011 questionnaire.

Starting early

The second phase of the Census in Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is being conducted ahead of the rest of the country. While the self-enumeration portal for these regions will remain available from August 17 to August 31, the door-to-door enumeration will start on September 1 and conclude by September 30, much before the rest of the country, where the exercise will take place in February 2027.

Mr. Sharma stressed the need for accurate and reliable data collection, directing enumerators and supervisors to ensure that all entries are properly recorded, verified and cross-checked. He said accurate Census data is essential for policy planning and delivery of public services.

The CPCO also asked district authorities to intensify awareness campaigns through newspapers, pamphlets, social media and local outreach programmes ahead of the enumeration exercise.

Special attention was also given to the enumeration of migratory populations, tribal communities and residents of remote forest areas.

Mr. Sharma instructed charge officers and supervisors to conduct regular field inspections and quality checks, emphasising that coordinated efforts and adequate technological preparedness would be crucial for conducting Census 2027 efficiently and accurately.