The Perils of Delaying the Population Census

Syllabus: GS2/Government Policy and Intervention

Context

• The Indian decadal Census has been delayed by more than three years now despite several concerns having been raised about the consequences of not having a Census. 

Why does the Census matter beyond mere numbers?

• Beyond Headcounts: The Census is not just about tallying heads; it encompasses a wide range of crucial information. It provides insights into locational patterns, familial structures, and individual characteristics.
  • Imagine it as a snapshot of our society—a comprehensive view that helps us understand the changing dynamics of our population.
• Reliability of Surveys: Large-scale surveys, such as the National Family Health Survey and the Periodic Labour Force Survey, rely on a Census frame that is now one and a half decades old.
  • Using outdated data affects the reliability and representativeness of these surveys. We need fresh information to make informed decisions about education, occupation, employment, health (including the impact of COVID-19), and livelihoods.
• Course Correction and Strategy: Over the past fifteen years, India has undergone significant transformations. These changes extend beyond population size and composition. We’ve witnessed shifts in education, employment patterns, and health outcomes.
  • Without a current Census, our strategies for development and welfare risk being misaligned. It’s like trying to navigate without a compass—possible, but not advisable.
• Political Echoes and Caste Census: There’s a universal echo for conducting a caste-based Census, often driven by political motives rather than genuine development planning.
  • However, this focus on caste alone misses the broader utility of a Census. It’s not just about politics; it’s about understanding our society comprehensively.

Importance of Census in India

• Understanding Demographics: The census provides a snapshot of India’s demographic structure. It tells us how many of us there are, where we live, our age groups, gender distribution, and more. It is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and social planners.
• Resource Allocation: Governments allocate resources based on population data. Whether it’s building schools, hospitals, or roads, decisions hinge on accurate population figures. It helps distribute funds fairly across states and regions.
  • For instance, if a state has a rapidly growing population, it needs more schools and healthcare facilities.
• Tracking Progress: Decade by decade, the census paints a canvas of India’s journey. One can see improvements in literacy rates, healthcare access, and gender ratios.
• Planning for the Future: By analysing trends from past censuses, demographers predict future population growth. It informs urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental policies.
• Social Justice and Equity: The census ensures that marginalised communities aren’t left behind. It captures data on caste, religion, and other social parameters. It helps identify disparities and design affirmative action policies.
• Political Representation: The census plays a very important role in redrawing-of-constituency maps. It determines how many seats each state gets in the Lok Sabha. Accurate population data ensures fair representation.

Why is the Census Delaying?

• When it comes to the decennial Census—the grand national headcount that shapes our understanding of demographics, social structures, and resource allocation—time is of the essence.
• Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where the Census, originally slated for 2021, remains in limbo due to delays.

• The Centre’s decision not to extend the deadline for freezing administrative boundaries beyond June 30, 2024, raised hopes that the Census operations would finally kick off in October 2024.
• The Budget for 2024-25 allocated a mere ₹1,309.46 crore for the Census—a significant reduction from the ₹3,768 crore allocated in 2021-22.
  • It hints that the Census might not happen anytime soon, even after considerable delay.

Does Delaying the Census Matter?

• Access to Welfare Schemes: Conducting the Census on a priority basis is non-negotiable. Since the last Census in 2011, our population has grown, and so have the needs of our citizens.
  • Access to government welfare schemes—ranging from healthcare to education to employment—is often tied to Census data. Without an updated Census, many remain excluded from these crucial benefits.
• Women’s Reservation Act: It aims to reserve 33% of seats in both Parliament and State Assemblies for women. However, its implementation hinges on accurate Census data. Until we count heads and households anew, this transformative legislation remains in a holding pattern.
• Economic Well-Being of Marginalised Communities: There’s a growing demand for a caste-based Census. Precisely understanding the economic well-being of marginalised communities requires granular data. Without it, targeted policies and affirmative action become shots in the dark.

Urgency

• Missing the 2021 Census cannot be justified, especially when we managed to hold a general election amidst uncertainties. The machinery required for a Census is comparable to that of an election.
  • Delaying it further seems more like avoidance than a logistical challenge.
• Demographic Transition and Dividend: India is experiencing rapid demographic changes. A population Census is essential to reveal these shifts, including familial structures, occupational distributions, and geographical patterns.
  • Without this data, monitoring the success of government programs becomes misleading.

Conclusion and Way Forward: What Needs to Happen?

• Budgetary Provisions: The 2025-26 Census Budget must be robust enough to accommodate the postponed 2021 Census. We need to allocate resources for house listing, housing census, and updating the National Population Register (NPR).
• Preliminary Preparations: Thankfully, groundwork has been underway. State and Union Territory Census Directorates have been prepping—updating maps, testing questionnaires, and training staff. Once the new Census date is fixed, they’re ready to roll. A quick refresher training is all they need.
• Digital Census: The future is digital. Collecting Census data via mobile apps streamlines the process. The ₹1,309.46 crore in the 2024-25 budget could fund essential preliminary activities, including finalising enumeration areas, refining questionnaires, and training core staff for the digital shift.
• The Census isn’t just about numbers or just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s about empowerment, equity, informed policymaking, and the pulse of our nation. Let’s prioritise it, come what may. Our nation’s well-being depends on it.

Source: TH