The nation has long awaited the census, and finally, it's time for this important process to commence. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday issued an official gazette notification under the Census Act, 1948, regarding census and ethnic census, sparking action across related agencies. Initial steps involve staff appointments, training, format preparation, and fieldwork planning. For the first time, both census and ethnic census are being conducted simultaneously in the country.
Delay Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Traditionally, India conducts its census every ten years to compile critical data on population, socio-economic conditions, and more. As one of the largest administrative exercises globally, this census is executed by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Home Ministry. Delayed from 2021 due to the pandemic, the census resumes in 2025, adjusting the cycle so the next census occurs in 2035.
This census process comprises two phases. The first phase concludes by October 2026, while the second and final phase ends by March 2027. The reference date is set at midnight of March 1, 2027, marking when population and social status data will be recorded. For Himalayan and geographically unique states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand, the process wraps up by October 2026, accommodating challenging weather and terrain. Here, October 1, 2026, serves as the reference date.
Post-Census Delimitation
Completing the full census process by March 2027 will take about 21 months, with primary data potentially published in March 2027 and detailed data by December 2027. Post-census, delimitating Lok Sabha and assembly seats could commence by 2028, possibly implementing a 33% reservation for women. This could clarify reserved seat allocations before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Source: aajtak
After the census, a Delimitation Commission will be formed to allocate Lok Sabha seats based on population. Southern states remain concerned over population variations compared to northern states, fearing reduced representation. The government assures attention to these regional concerns during delimitation discussions.
The two primary phases of the national census encompass a Housing Census and a Population Census. This time, digital technology underpins the process, integrating mobile apps and self-enumeration options. Administrative units like districts, tehsils, and police stations ready themselves for the impending census, finalizing preparations by December 31, 2024.
Proforma and Digital Process
Proformas are finalized before the census, with questionnaires catering to both housing and population surveys. This round may include caste and community-related questions. An estimated 3.4 million employees will participate in this census, all of whom will receive training, subsequently followed by supervisor appointments. Training spans two months, especially focusing on digital devices and mobile apps.
Digital enumeration software introduces new columns and menus for caste, sub-caste, and OBC identification. During the housing census process, households are documented, gathering details on residential status, amenities, and properties. Enumerators will query families on housing usage, water access, sanitation, electricity, and other facilities. Data on property ownership and vehicle count will also be collected.
Crucial for Policies and Reservations
The population census aims to gather demographic, social, and economic details. Enumerators revisit to inquire about the National Population Register (NPR) and census-related questions. Expect 30 questions, potentially covering name, age, gender, date of birth, marital status, education, employment, religion, caste, sub-community, family head relation, residential status, and migration-related questions.
For the first time post-independence, the census will include a caste enumeration, tallying all castes among OBCs, SCs, STs, and general categories. In addition to gathering socio-economic data like income, education, and employment, this data shapes governmental plans, reservation policies, and social justice programs. The Central Finance Commission uses this data for state grants, underpinning critical socio-economic policies and reservations.
Besides the digital process, a caste census will also be part of this round, a demand persisting since 1931 when such enumeration last occurred. This time, individuals will have the option to declare their caste, marking significant progress toward inclusive data collection.
