The Census is a nationwide count of India's population, conducted every 10 years. It collects vital data about individuals, households, and living conditions. This information assists the government in planning public services, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. The last census was conducted in 2011.
The next census will commence on April 1, 2026, starting with the Houselisting Operation. This phase will be followed by the Population Enumeration phase beginning on February 1, 2027.
The 2021 Census faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and various administrative reasons. Consequently, this has led to a 16-year gap, marking the longest delay in India's census history.
This operation represents the first phase of the census process. Enumerators will gather information regarding each household's housing conditions, such as the availability of drinking water, toilets, kitchens, types of homes, and assets. For instance, they will ascertain whether a family uses LPG or firewood for cooking.
Population Enumeration is the second phase of the census, which will collect data on individuals' age, sex, religion, caste, language, education, occupation, and migration status. For example, an enumerator will inquire if a person is self-employed, salaried, or seeking employment.
Freezing of boundaries entails that any changes in administrative boundaries, such as the creation of new districts or renaming of towns, must be finalized before December 31, 2025. This is crucial to maintain uniformity in data collection.
Approximately 3.4 million enumerators and supervisors will be deployed for the census. Additionally, around 130,000 functionaries at the district and sub-district levels will assist in coordination and monitoring.
The country is divided into Houselisting Blocks (HLBs) and Enumeration Blocks (EBs). Each block represents a manageable area for one enumerator, which may consist of about 120 households in an urban ward or several hamlets in a village.
Yes, enumerators are set to utilize mobile applications and digital platforms for data collection. This approach aims to minimize human error, expedite processing, and enhance data accuracy.
A pre-test was conducted in 2019 prior to the actual Census. This process helped evaluate the feasibility of questions, methods of data collection, mobile application use, and training models.
Enumerators will inquire about:
For instance, an individual may be classified as a rural migrant currently engaged in an urban construction job.
This data is crucial for assessing housing quality and access to basic services. For example, if a region indicates low access to tap water or toilets, the findings can be used to improve sanitation schemes.
For the first time in many years, the Census will incorporate caste data, excluding SC/ST which is already recorded. This addition is anticipated to aid in evaluating the social and economic status of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Yes, areas like Ladakh, established after 2019, will have their populations enumerated according to new boundaries, starting March 1, 2027.
The Census is being supervised by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Post data collection, which concludes by March 1, 2027, the data will be cleaned, verified, and tabulated. The final population data is expected to be released within two to three years, targeting a release by 2029.
The government utilizes census data for planning purposes such as:
For instance, if a district has a significant youth population but limited college access, it may lead to increased education funding in that area.
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