Issue of Postponement of the Census

Source-This post on Issues with Postponement of the Census has been created based on the article “India among a select few countries that have not conducted the Census” published in “The Hindu” on 24 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-1- Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Context– The last census conducted in India was in 2011, and since 2021, the decennial counting measure has been indefinitely postponed. India is among a minority of countries, specifically 44 out of 233 nations, that have not conducted their latest census. The government has cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for postponing Census 2021.

However,143 countries managed to conduct their census rounds after March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. India is the only BRICS nation that has not conducted its census during or after the pandemic. Brazil, China, South Africa, and Russia have successfully conducted their census rounds despite the challenges of COVID-19. Where, only conflict-affected nations such as Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, and economically distressed countries like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, along with several sub-Saharan African nations, have not conducted the Census.

What is the significance of Census data?

1) It plays an important role in identifying beneficiaries for various welfare schemes that range from specific initiatives like building schools for tribal children to large-scale programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS).

2) According to a 2011 publication from the Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner, census provides primary data at the village, town, and ward levels which is important for implementing various welfare schemes effectively.

A detailed article on Population Census: Significance and Challenges can be read here.

What are the important surveys that need census data to determine their samples?

Source-The Hindu

What are the issues with postponement of Census in India?

1) Many welfare schemes rely on census data to determine beneficiaries and allocate resources. For ex-schemes like the National Family Security Act, which provides subsidized food grains, are still using data from the 2011 census. This outdated data may lead to exclusion of eligible beneficiaries and misallocation of resources.

2) The delay impacts programs like Eklavya Model Residential School, designed for quality education of Scheduled Tribe (ST) children. Using 2011 census data for planning may lead to schools being set up where they are no longer needed or missing out on areas where they are now required due to changes in demographics since 2011.

Question for practice

What is the importance of Census data? What are the concerns related to the delay of Census in India?