Amit hails large Public Participation marking Census 2027 Awareness Marathon in Leh
Leh (Ladakh) Aug 04, 2026: Hundreds of participants took part in the Census 2027 Awareness Marathon organised by the Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh today to promote public awareness and participation in the upcoming Census 2027 which was hailed by Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh UTs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The Census 2027 Marathon was jointly flagged off from Martyrs Chowk, Leh at 6:30 am by Director General of Police, Ladakh, Shri Anand Jain, IPS, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director of Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Shri Amit Sharma, IAS, and Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha in the presence of a large gathering.
Participants showed lot of enthusiasm while competing in the 11-km Mini Marathon and the 3-km Fun Run. The 11-km route passed through Leh–Keylong Road, Spituk–Choglamsar Road, Choglamsar Village, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and HP Petrol Pump before culminating at NDS Memorial Stadium at Leh.
Among others who were present in this early morning event held at Leh included Additional Superintendent of Police, Leh, Rishabh Shukla, IPS, Tsewang Gyalson, Director Economics & Statistics/Joint Director, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department; Chief Planning Officer, Leh, Konchok Gyalson, Tehsildar Leh, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Leh, besides Deputy Director Census Amit Bhargav, AD Vijay Kumar, AD Balbir Singh, AD Rohini Pokhrel and other officers and officials associated with Census Operations.
Welcoming the august gathering, CPCO Shri Amit Sharma, IAS, highlighted the significance of Census 2027 as one of the country’s most important statistical exercises, stating that reliable census data forms the foundation for evidence-based planning, policy formulation and effective governance. He informed that the first phase of House Listing Operations has been completed successfully in the month of June, while the second phase of Population Enumeration will be conducted from September 1 to September 30, 2027.
CPCO Amit Sharma said the Census 2027 Marathon has been organised to spread awareness about the forthcoming Population Enumeration (PE) and urged participants to become ambassadors of the Census by encouraging every household to participate and sharing the accurate data with Enumerators and Supervisors who shall soon visit their homes for it.
Shri Sharma also shared that Ladakh would emerge as the first State/UT amongst all states in the nation to complete the Census by September 30, contributing to India’s first comprehensive indigenous paperless census database in the ongoing Census 2027 exercise. He further exhorted upon the huge number of youth especially student community present in the event in huge numbers to support the vision of Nasha Mukt Bharat and become messengers for a Drug-Free India, which is the need of the hour.
Addressing the gathering, DGP Ladakh Shri Anand Jain, IPS, stressed the importance of accurate and complete census data, noting that quality data is essential for informed governance and public welfare. He also urged the youth to actively support the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign and spread awareness for building a drug-free society.
Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, underscored the importance of the Census and the critical role of accurate data collection in policy making and effective implementation of government welfare schemes. He also invited students and the public to participate in the Census 2027 Quiz Competition to be held at the University of Ladakh on August 05.
A prize distribution ceremony was held after the Census 2027 Marathon in which Tsering Namgyal, Jaffer Ali and Javed Ahmad secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in 11-km Mini Marathon (Male) category, Stanzin Dolkar, Diskit Dolma and Stanzin Yangdol secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in 11-km Mini Marathon (Female) category and Stanzin Thardok, Urgain Dorjay
and Dechen Chorol secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in 3-km Fun Run category for which they were felicitated with prizes and certificates by the Directorate of Census Operations.
Before culmination of this memorable historical event, CPCO Shri Amit Sharma expressed deep gratitude to all the participants, especially DGP Ladakh Police, Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh and the district administration, Ladakh Police, volunteers and supporting departments who played a vital role towards ensuring the successful conduct of Census 2027 Marathon in Ladakh.
