Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is stepping up preparations for the second phase of the Census, with population enumeration scheduled to begin in the state’s snow-bound areas from September 1, 2026.
Chief Secretary K.K. Pant reviewed the preparations at a state-level conference and directed officials and district administrations to ensure that the exercise is conducted accurately, efficiently and within the prescribed timeline. He also appreciated the efforts of the officials who successfully completed the first phase of the Census.
The second phase, covering population enumeration, will be conducted from September 1 to September 30 in snow-bound areas. The exercise will require close coordination among district administrations and field officials, particularly because several parts of Himachal Pradesh face difficult terrain, unpredictable weather and limited accessibility.
The Census Operations Department said the first phase, covering house listing and housing census, has already been completed successfully. The focus will now shift to recording population-related information, making the coming weeks particularly important for ensuring that every household and individual is properly covered.
Speaking during the review meeting, Chief Secretary K.K. Pant underlined the wider importance of reliable Census data. He said authentic population statistics are essential for social and economic planning, policy formulation and the allocation of public funds.
For a predominantly mountainous state such as Himachal Pradesh, accurate population data has particular significance. Government planning for roads, healthcare, schools, drinking water, housing, employment and social security depends heavily on a clear understanding of where people live and what their demographic needs are.
The challenge is more pronounced in remote and snow-bound areas, where difficult terrain and seasonal weather conditions can make field-level administration considerably more demanding. Ensuring that residents of isolated villages and difficult-to-access locations are included in the enumeration will therefore be crucial to the credibility of the exercise.
The administration is expected to focus on coordination, mobility of field personnel, communication and timely availability of resources. Any gaps in coverage could affect the accuracy of the final dataset and, consequently, the planning decisions based on it.
An important feature of the exercise will also be the introduction of a self-enumeration facility. According to Census authorities, citizens will be able to provide their information through the Census portal from August 17 to August 31.
The self-enumeration facility could make the process more convenient for citizens while also providing an additional mechanism for collecting information. However, its effectiveness will depend on public awareness, digital accessibility and the ability of citizens to correctly submit the required information.
Director of Census Operations Deep Shikha briefed the meeting on the progress of the Census and confirmed that the house-listing and housing phase had been completed. The administration will now concentrate on the population enumeration phase, particularly in areas where geographical conditions make physical access difficult.
The exercise also has implications beyond simply determining population numbers. Census data provides a foundation for understanding demographic changes, population distribution and the evolving needs of different communities. Such information can influence decisions on infrastructure expansion, public services and welfare programmes for years to come.
The Chief Secretary directed all concerned officers to approach the exercise with care, coordination and commitment. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the information collected is reliable and submitted within the stipulated timeframe.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, General Administration Ashish Singhmar and other senior officials.
With the second phase scheduled to run through September, the coming weeks will be a test of Himachal Pradesh’s administrative preparedness, particularly in its most challenging terrain. If successfully implemented, the exercise will provide the state with an updated demographic picture that can help align future development policies more closely with the realities on the ground.
For Himachal Pradesh, therefore, the September Census exercise is not merely an administrative requirement. It is an important data-gathering exercise that could shape how public resources and development priorities are planned across the state in the years ahead.
