The decadal Census in India, a crucial exercise to gather demographic data, has been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Officials now confirm that the Census is unlikely to be conducted before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May 2024. This delay poses challenges for planning and policy-making based on accurate population statistics.
The Census, which consists of 31 questions, aims to capture important socio-economic indicators and household amenities. These questions encompass a wide range of topics, including access to communication technology (such as smartphones, internet, and landlines), ownership of vehicles (cars, two-wheelers), and the primary cereal consumed by households.
Originally scheduled for April 1 to September 30, 2020, the house listing phase of the Census and the update of the National Population Register (NPR) were deferred due to the outbreak of COVID-19. With no new schedule announced by the government, the Census operation remains on hold. Furthermore, the freezing of administrative boundaries necessary for conducting the Census has been extended until June 30. This means that the Census can only be conducted three months after the finalization of administrative units such as districts, sub-districts, tehsils, taluks, and police stations.
Another significant factor contributing to the delay is the training of government employees and teachers who will serve as enumerators. Training 30 lakh (3 million) personnel across the country will require an additional two to three months. Meanwhile, the Election Commission will begin preparations for the next general elections, including revising voter lists. Consequently, the limited time available and the overlapping use of personnel by both the Election Commission and the Census authorities indicate that the Census is likely to take place after the Lok Sabha elections.
Once conducted, this Census will mark a significant milestone as the first digital Census in India. Citizens will have the opportunity to self-enumerate through a yet-to-be-launched self-enumeration portal. To facilitate this process, the Census authority will require the mandatory collection of Aadhaar or mobile numbers during self-enumeration.
The 31 questions in the Census cover various aspects of households, including amenities and living conditions. They include inquiries about access to communication devices, transportation modes, cereal consumption patterns, drinking water sources, toilet facilities, lighting, cooking fuels, household appliances (such as radios, televisions), and details about the dwelling structure. Additionally, the Census will gather information about the number of residents, gender and caste of the household head, and the presence of married couples in each household.
In summary, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the decadal Census in India has been postponed indefinitely. The Census, which includes 31 questions, will provide vital demographic data. However, the delay in administrative boundary freezing, personnel training, and the upcoming Lok Sabha elections indicate that the Census is unlikely to take place before April-May 2024. This digital Census will allow citizens to self-enumerate, with the mandatory collection of Aadhaar or mobile numbers during the process. Although the exact timeline remains uncertain, conducting the Census after the elections is highly probable, emphasizing the importance of accurate and up-to-date population statistics for effective governance and policymaking.
