Uttarakhand Census First Phase: Kitchen to establish number of families residing in house, Read details

May 6, 2026

In the first phase of the census, the kitchen will be the determining factor in establishing how many families reside within a particular household. If two friends live together and share a single kitchen for their meals, they will be counted as a single family unit. Similarly, in households where grandparents reside with the family, the unit will be classified as a joint family.

Under the aegis of the Census Directorate, the work of house listing and enumeration, marking the first phase of the census, is currently underway across the state. Amidst the house enumeration process, scheduled to continue until May 24, various questions regarding the counting of families had arisen in the minds of the public.

Census Director Eva Ashish Srivastava clarified that the kitchen would serve as the primary basis for identifying the families residing within a household.

If a husband and wife live together in a house and share a common kitchen for their meals, or if two friends share a single kitchen, or even if a domestic helper resides with her employer’s family, all such individuals will be counted collectively as a single family unit. Conversely, there are households where a single dwelling contains two separate kitchens.

Consequently, such households will be enumerated as two distinct family units. Furthermore, in instances where a single house accommodates three separate kitchens for example, one each for the parents and their two sons, the residents will be classified as three separate families. The Census Director confirmed that comprehensive directives regarding this matter have been issued across the entire state.