On Sunday, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, inaugurated the Self-Enumeration Portal for the Census 2027, marking the beginning of the census process in the Union Territory. Saxena urged all citizens to participate actively in this exercise, which will last for 15 days. He emphasized the importance of the census in shaping policies and planning resources, stating that it would reflect Ladakh's unique identity and needs. The Census 2027 is significant as it will be the 16th census conducted in India and the 8th since independence, with a budget of ₹11,718.24 crore (approximately $1.4 billion USD) approved for its execution. The census will be conducted in two phases: the first phase involves house listing from April to September 2026, followed by population enumeration in February 2027. This census will also mark India's transition to a digital enumeration process, enhancing data security and integration. The wealth of information gathered through the census serves as a critical foundation for governance, enabling informed decision-making across various sectors.