NEWS: He process of census 2027 has begun and it has several implications on the developmental process of India.
ABOUT
- Censusà Systematic collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of demographic, social, and economic data of the population.
- Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
- Population Census falls under Entry 69 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule).
CENSUS 2027: KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India’s 8th Census since Independence.
- Will include digital self-enumeration along with traditional door-to-door enumeration.
- Expected to provide updated data on population, literacy, migration, employment, housing, and socio-economic conditions.
- Likely to include caste enumeration, making it significant for social justice and welfare policymaking.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Evidence-Based Governanceà Helps design welfare schemes, infrastructure planning, and development policies.
- Inclusive Developmentà Identifies vulnerable and marginalized populations for targeted interventions.
- Democratic RepresentationàForms the basis for delimitation, seat allocation, and reservation of constituencies.
- Fiscal FederalismàAssists bodies such as the Finance Commission in resource allocation between Centre and States.
- Digital Transformationà Improves accuracy, transparency, and faster processing through technology integration.
KEY CHALLENGES
- Logistical difficulties in covering remote and densely populated regions.
- Tracking migrant and temporary populations.
- Ensuring data accuracy and avoiding duplication or omission.
- Political sensitivities related to caste enumeration and delimitation.
- Digital divide affecting participation in self-enumeration.
WAY FORWARD
- Strengthen public awareness and participation.
- Ensure robust data privacy and cybersecurity safeguards.
- Improve digital infrastructure while retaining inclusive door-to-door enumeration.
- Enhance training of enumerators and verification mechanisms.