Jammu, November 7: The Union Government has appointed 2012 batch IAS officer Amit Sharma as the Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Sharma, a member of the AGMUT cadre, has been selected for this crucial role under the Central Staffing Scheme, following a formal recommendation by the Ministry of Home Affairs and approval by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
According to the official order issued by the DoPT, Amit Sharma’s appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the new assignment. His tenure is set to continue until December 31, 2025, and may be extended further in accordance with the provisions of the Central Staffing Scheme. The officer has been directed to take up his duties immediately to ensure continuity in administrative and census-related preparations across both Union Territories.
As the Director of Census Operations, Sharma will be responsible for supervising and coordinating the implementation of the next national census across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This includes overseeing the enumeration process, data verification, compilation, and management of the National Population Register (NPR) under the Citizen Registration mandate. Given the complexity of demographic and geographic diversity in the two Union Territories, his role is expected to be critical in ensuring a smooth, transparent, and data-driven census operation.
Amit Sharma, known for his proactive and reform-oriented administrative approach, has previously held several key positions in the Jammu and Kashmir administration. His portfolio includes significant contributions to departments such as Information Technology, Industries and Commerce, and Transport, where he introduced digital governance measures and transparency initiatives. His experience in policy implementation and institutional modernization is expected to contribute substantially to the successful execution of census and citizen registration operations in the region.
Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs have expressed confidence that Sharma’s leadership will help streamline data management processes and ensure timely completion of the census exercise. The census and NPR operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh hold particular importance as they provide the basis for long-term developmental planning, resource allocation, and administrative restructuring following the region’s reorganization in 2019.