Context: India is among a select few countries that have not conducted the latest Census. The last census conducted in India was in 2011 and has been postponed indefinitely since 2021.

• India shares distinction of not conducting the census with conflict-ridden countries such as Ukraine, Yemen, Syria and Myanmar — impacted by civil wars, the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the economic crisis-affected Sri Lanka besides several sub-Saharan African countries that have also undergone turmoil.

What is the Census?

• The Census refers to a periodic and systematic collection of demographic, economic, and social data of a population within a specific region. 

• It is typically conducted by governments to gather detailed information about the population’s characteristics and living conditions.

• The Census provides crucial data that governments, businesses, researchers, and policymakers use for various purposes such as planning public services, allocating funding, and making informed decisions.

Census in India

• The Census in India has been conducted regularly since 1871. The first complete Census was conducted in 1881.

• Initially, the Census was primarily aimed at assessing revenue and taxation needs under British colonial rule. 

• Over time, its scope expanded to include demographic, social, and economic data.

• Constitutional Mandate: The Census of India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act of 1948, which empowers the Government of India to conduct periodic population surveys. 

• Frequency: The Census of India is conducted decennially, meaning it takes place every ten years.

• The most recent Censuses were conducted in 2011.

Significance of Census

• Policy Formulation: It provides crucial inputs for planning and formulating policies related to education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and social welfare.

• Resource Allocation: It helps in equitable distribution of resources by providing data on population distribution, demographics, and socio-economic conditions.

• Demographic Trends: It aids in understanding demographic trends, urbanization patterns, migration flows, and population growth rates.

• Monitoring Development Goals: The Census data is instrumental in monitoring progress towards national and international development goals, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why there is a delay in conducting the Census in India?

• COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the scheduling and planning of various activities, including large-scale surveys like the Census. 

• Preparation and Planning: Conducting a Census in a country as vast and populous as India requires meticulous planning, resource mobilization, and coordination across various government departments. 

• Political and Administrative Priorities: Governments prioritize other activities or elections, leading to delays in the Census process.

• Technological and Methodological Upgradation: Periodic updates and improvements in technology and methodologies used for data collection, processing, and analysis require additional time and resources. 

• Complexity of Data Collection: India’s diversity in terms of geography, languages, cultures, and socio-economic conditions poses unique challenges in conducting a comprehensive Census.

Conclusion

• Census data should validate the various estimates on mortality based on ‘excess deaths’ analyses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• It is imperative that decadal changes in India’s demography related to urbanisation and migration of people across States are captured adequately. 

• Welfare schemes such as the targeted Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act depend on population estimates, and the government continues to rely on Census 2011, which is now outdated. 

• Considering these and other imperatives for the smooth planning and implementation of administrative, welfare and statistical management for governance, the Union government must show eagerness in commencing the Census.