Decadal Census of India

(General Studies-I – Geography Section – Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.)

• The Census is a comprehensive survey conducted periodically to gather demographic, economic, and social data about a country’s population.
• It provides a snapshot of the population at a given time, including information on age, gender, occupation, education, and living conditions.
• The data collected is crucial for policymaking, resource allocation, and understanding societal trends.

Objectives of the Census –

1. To count the total population and provide a breakdown by various characteristics
2. To gather information on the socio-economic and demographic profile of the population
3. To provide a framework for sample surveys and other statistical operations
4. To enable effective planning and implementation of development programs

India is currently facing a critical need for an updated Census due to several factors –

• Demographic Transition: India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition, with changes in population size, age structure, and spatial distribution. An updated Census is necessary to understand these changes and their implications for development planning.
• Effective Governance: Census data is essential for effective governance, as it helps in the allocation of resources, implementation of welfare schemes, and monitoring of progress. Without an updated Census, these processes may be based on outdated or inaccurate information.
• Informing Policies: The Census provides crucial data for policymaking in various sectors, such as health, education, and employment. It helps in identifying gaps and designing targeted interventions to address them.
• Monitoring SDGs: India is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. An updated Census is necessary to monitor progress towards these goals and ensure that no one is left behind.
• Caste Census: There is a growing demand for a caste-based Census to understand the socio-economic status of various communities and ensure equitable representation in government schemes and programs.
• Implementation of Welfare Schemes: Census data is essential for the implementation of welfare schemes, such as the National Food Security Act, Women’s reservation act and the National Social Assistance Programme. Postponing the Census deprives many people of essential entitlements.
• Delimitation of Constituencies: Census data is used for the demarcation of constituencies and allocation of representation to the Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies.
• Allocation of Grants: The Finance Commission gives grants to the states on the basis of population figures available from the Census data.

Way Forward –

• Budgetary Provisions: The 2025-26 Census Budget must be robust enough to accommodate the postponed 2021 Census. We need to allocate resources for house listing, housing census, and updating the National Population Register (NPR).
• Preliminary Preparations: Thankfully, groundwork has been underway. State and Union Territory Census Directorates have been prepping—updating maps, testing questionnaires, and training staff. Once the new Census date is fixed, they’re ready to roll. A quick refresher training is all they need.
• Digital Census: The future is digital. Collecting Census data via mobile apps streamlines the process. The ₹1,309.46 crore in the 2024-25 budget could fund essential preliminary activities, including finalising enumeration areas, refining questionnaires, and training core staff for the digital shift.

The Census isn’t just about numbers or just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s about empowerment, equity, informed policymaking, and the pulse of our nation.Let’s prioritise it, come what may. Our nation’s well-being depends on it.