Implications of Delaying the Census

Source: The post Implications of Delaying the Census has been created, based on the article “Implications of Delaying the Census” published in “The Hindu” on 27th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1- population and associated issues

Context: The article discusses the Union government’s delay in conducting the Census, which has not occurred since 2011. It criticizes the idea of including caste enumeration without proper planning and emphasizes the negative impact of the delay on public policies and governance.

Why is the Census Being Delayed?

1. The Union government has delayed conducting the Census, which has been held every decade from 1881 to 2011.
2. The deadline to freeze administrative boundaries, required before the Census, has been extended 10 times since 2019.
3. The official reason cited is the COVID-19 pandemic, yet 143 countries conducted their Census after March 2020.
4. As of June 2024, India is one of 44 countries that have not conducted the Census this decade.
5. India shares this delay with conflict-affected and crisis-hit countries like Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and others.

What Are the Implications of Delaying the Census?

1. Impact on Public Schemes: Delays affect schemes like the National Food Security Act and the National Social Assistance Programme, which rely on updated Census data.
2. Outdated Data: The 2011 Census data is outdated, especially with changes in migration, urbanization, and suburbanization.
3. Reliance on Surveys: Reliance on sample surveys leads to debates over methodology and biased conclusions.
4. Global Comparison: India, as of June 2024, is one of 44 countries not to have conducted a Census, sharing this with conflict-ridden nations like Yemen and Syria.

Should Caste Enumeration Be Included in the Census?

1. There is a debate over including caste enumeration in the upcoming Census. This idea is driven by demands from several political parties.
2. However, the article suggests that the government should not rush into including caste data. The example of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011 is given, where the data collected were inaccurate and unusable.
3. The article advises careful planning and a clear timeline for conducting the Census before considering such additions.

Question for practice:

Examine the reasons behind the Union government’s delay in conducting the Census and its implications on public policies and governance in India.