The 2027 census is expected to have significant implications for both the demography and politics of Jammu & Kashmir, as it will not only conduct the first-ever headcount of Paharis and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Union Territory, but also serve as the basis for the next delimitation of electoral boundaries.
As Union Home Ministry on Monday issued a notification for holding the India’s largest headcount exercise in 2027, the census holds significance for Jammu & Kashmir for two reasons: it will reveal the exact population of Paharis and OBCs and it will serve as the basis for next delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha segments.
An official, wishing not to be named, told that Paharis, Paddaris, Gadda Brahman and Koli tribes added in the Scheduled Tribe list of Jammu and Kashmir in 2024 would be enumerated for the first time in the census as separate communities.
“As of now, there is no exact population data available about the Pahari population in J&K. The census will provide data about Paharis and three other communities notified as Scheduled Tribes,” he said, adding that demographic data of SCs and STs was also collected during previous such exercises.
In Jammu & Kashmir, STs are entitled to 20 percent – 10 percent to ST1 and remaining 10 percent ST2.
As per 2011 census, the total ST1 population of J&K IS 12, 75,106, of which 8,10,800 live in Jammu and 4,64,306 in Kashmir.
With the Union Government deciding to enumerate caste in the census, the exercise will also reveal the headcount of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) of J&K for the first time.
As per details available with KNO, 20 castes/ communities find place in central list of OBCs for J&K and 41 in State list. In J&K, OBCs are entitled to 8 percent reservation in government jobs.
The Centre is likely to use both Central list and State (UT) list for enumeration of OBCs.
More importantly, the census would also form the basis of the next delimitation of electoral constituencies in the UT, as laid down in the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act- 2019.
The law provides that there cannot be readjustment of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats in the UT until the figures of the first census conducted after 2026 are released.
The last delimitation exercise in Jammu & Kashmir was completed on May 5, 2022.
Senior journalist and political commentator, Zaffar Choudhary said that the next census will trigger a competitive identity struggle in Jammu & Kashmir.
“With the addition of new communities to the quota list, the issue of reservation has taken center stage in Jammu & Kashmir. The upcoming census is crucial for J&K, particularly in terms of documenting the numbers of various communities,” he said—(KNO)
