Leh, May 16: In a major initiative aimed at promoting data-driven research, academic engagement and evidence-based policy formulation in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, today signed a historical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Ladakh for establishment of two dedicated Census Data Workstations at the Leh and Kargil campuses of the University.
The MoU was signed by Shri Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on behalf of the Directorate of Census Operations and Prof Saket Kushwaha, Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, on behalf of the University during a formal programme held here today.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding, two dedicated Census Data Workstations will be established — one each at the Leh and Kargil campuses of the University of Ladakh — to facilitate structured institutional access to Census databases, demographic statistics and socio-economic datasets for academic, research and policy purposes.
CPCO Amit Sharma envisaged workstations as specialised knowledge and research support centres which will provide access to Census data at multiple levels of aggregation and analysis, enabling students, research scholars, faculty members, policy planners, government departments, industries and other stakeholders to undertake detailed studies and evidence-based assessments relating to demographic, socio-economic and developmental indicators.
The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen research capabilities in Ladakh by enabling access to authentic and comprehensive Census datasets for studies relating to population dynamics, migration trends, literacy, employment patterns, urbanisation, housing, social sector indicators, rural development, infrastructure planning and other developmental aspects relevant to the region.
Speaking exclusively on this historic occasion, CPCO Amit Sharma stated that Census data forms the backbone of planning, governance and public policy formulation and remains one of the most authentic and comprehensive sources of statistical information available to governments, academic institutions and researchers. Amit Sharma further stated that the establishment of Census Data Workstations in the University of Ladakh would create a strong institutional platform for encouraging research-oriented utilisation of Census data and would facilitate evidence-based academic studies and developmental planning specific to the geographical and socio-economic realities of Ladakh. Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof Saket Kushwaha, appreciated the collaboration and described the initiative as an important academic milestone for the University.
He stated that the establishment of dedicated Census Data Workstations at Leh and Kargil campuses would provide valuable opportunities to students, scholars and faculty members to undertake meaningful and policy-relevant research using authentic Census datasets. He further stated that the initiative would encourage interdisciplinary research and strengthen the academic ecosystem of the University by integrating statistical and demographic analysis into research and developmental studies relating to Ladakh.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative in the context of the upcoming Census exercise, CPCO & DCO J&K and Ladakh Amit Sharma stated that Census 2027 is going to be India’s first fully digital and paperless Census exercise with several technology-driven features including mobile-based digital enumeration, Self-Enumeration, geo-referenced mapping and real-time digital monitoring systems. Sharma further elaborated that the Census exercise would be conducted in two phases, beginning with House Listing Operations and Housing Census, which would be preceded by a dedicated Self-Enumeration period during which citizens would be able to voluntarily submit their Census details through a secure online portal before household visits by Enumerators. He stated that the introduction of Self-Enumeration represents one of the most significant citizen-centric reforms in the history of Census operations in the country. He also sensitised the students, faculty members and academic community present during the programme regarding the importance of Self-Enumeration and encouraged them to actively participate in the digital Census process. He stated that educational institutions and universities can play an important role in promoting awareness regarding Self-Enumeration and digital participation among youth and households. Before conclusion of MoU signing event, CPCO Amit Sharma further urged all students, faculty members, researchers and staff members of the University of Ladakh to voluntarily undertake Self-Enumeration during the notified period and also motivate their families and local communities to participate actively in Census 2027. He stated that wider public participation and accurate data collection would contribute significantly towards informed governance, better planning and targeted developmental interventions in Ladakh and across the country. Sharma also underlined the importance of institutional collaboration between Census authorities and universities, stating that such partnerships would help bridge the gap between data generation, academic research and policy implementation. He added that the initiative would contribute towards creation of a stronger culture of data-based decision making and informed governance in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The officers and faculty members present during the programme also discussed possibilities for future collaboration in areas relating to demographic studies, training, data literacy, academic workshops and research-oriented utilisation of Census information. The MoU is expected to strengthen long-term collaboration between the Directorate of Census Operations and the University of Ladakh while creating an institutional framework for wider utilisation of Census data in academic research, governance, planning and developmental policy formulation in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officers and officials from both institutions including Shri Manmeet Singh Loomba, Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer, Shri Jatinder Kumar, Assistant Chief Principal Census Officer from Directorate of Census Operations, J&K and Ladakh, and Dr. Mohd Rafee, Dean Commerce and Management, University of Ladakh, besides faculty members and officials associated with the initiative.
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