<p class="bodytext">The continuing uncertainty over the national decadal census has created apprehensions and raised the question whether the government has serious intentions to conduct it. There was expectation that the much-delayed process would be initiated in 2025 with a new 10-year schedule starting with it. But this appears unlikely as the Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated only Rs 574.8 crore towards the census. The government has not indicated its plans either. This week, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the delay, in her speech in the Rajya Sabha – she said it would deny the benefits of food security to about 14 crore people. Since the number of beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act is calculated on the basis of the census-based population, the absence of the figure would deprive large numbers of people of the benefit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The census is the largest and most comprehensive enumeration and study of the country’s population. Apart from providing numbers, it presents information about the economy and society and helps policymakers understand the changes in all fields of life. The country has changed a lot from 2011 when the last census was done. The population then was 121 crores; it is estimated to be about 145 crores now. The Covid-19 pandemic was the reason for the postponement of the 2021 census. Most countries which postponed their census then have conducted it later but the most populous country is yet to undertake it. This means about one-fifth of the country’s population is outside its database.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This has major implications on policy-making, resource allocation and other functions of the state. Public policy, to be relevant and effective, should be based on updated, accurate data. Only then can the policies and schemes be suitably framed and directed to reach the intended beneficiaries. Many important initiatives that help in policy-making such as the National Family Health Survey, the Periodic Labour Force Survey, the Sample Registration System, and those related to household consumption use the census data. India’s demographic complexion has changed since 2011 with increased migration of people. The economic and social profiles of the country have changed with greater urbanisation, lifestyle shifts and other processes. The relative population profiles of states have also changed. The delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, which is likely to trigger controversy, will be based on data from the first census conducted after the year 2026 – which, according to the original census schedule, meant that the delimitation would happen after the 2031 census. However, if the census is delayed now and held only by 2027, the delimitation process can be initiated immediately and completed ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The continuing uncertainty over the national decadal census has created apprehensions and raised the question whether the government has serious intentions to conduct it. There was expectation that the much-delayed process would be initiated in 2025 with a new 10-year schedule starting with it. But this appears unlikely as the Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated only Rs 574.8 crore towards the census. The government has not indicated its plans either. This week, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the delay, in her speech in the Rajya Sabha – she said it would deny the benefits of food security to about 14 crore people. Since the number of beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act is calculated on the basis of the census-based population, the absence of the figure would deprive large numbers of people of the benefit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The census is the largest and most comprehensive enumeration and study of the country’s population. Apart from providing numbers, it presents information about the economy and society and helps policymakers understand the changes in all fields of life. The country has changed a lot from 2011 when the last census was done. The population then was 121 crores; it is estimated to be about 145 crores now. The Covid-19 pandemic was the reason for the postponement of the 2021 census. Most countries which postponed their census then have conducted it later but the most populous country is yet to undertake it. This means about one-fifth of the country’s population is outside its database.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This has major implications on policy-making, resource allocation and other functions of the state. Public policy, to be relevant and effective, should be based on updated, accurate data. Only then can the policies and schemes be suitably framed and directed to reach the intended beneficiaries. Many important initiatives that help in policy-making such as the National Family Health Survey, the Periodic Labour Force Survey, the Sample Registration System, and those related to household consumption use the census data. India’s demographic complexion has changed since 2011 with increased migration of people. The economic and social profiles of the country have changed with greater urbanisation, lifestyle shifts and other processes. The relative population profiles of states have also changed. The delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, which is likely to trigger controversy, will be based on data from the first census conducted after the year 2026 – which, according to the original census schedule, meant that the delimitation would happen after the 2031 census. However, if the census is delayed now and held only by 2027, the delimitation process can be initiated immediately and completed ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.</p>
