The process of conducting Census 2021 , on hold since 2020, could begin in 2025, sources told TOI on Monday. The population figures to be thrown up by the much-delayed and keenly-awaited census will form the basis for delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies — due after 2026 and which will also involve earmarking seats to be reserved for women, besides Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — likely to follow in 2027-28.
If the decadal pattern of previous census exercises is retained, the next census cycles may fall due in 2035, 2045 and so on. Sources, however, said there is no clarity yet on conducting a caste census — a demand made by allies like JD(U) and TDP as well as the opposition parties — possibly by adding a ‘caste’ field in the houselisting schedule.
The Census 2021 houselisting schedule, notified in January 2020, comprises 31 fields sans ‘caste’.
Though sources had earlier indicated that a decision on census was expected shortly, the schedule for National Population Register (NPR) updation, which was to be done alongside the first stage of Census — houselisting and housing operations — has not been notified yet. Even the schedule for the second stage of Census 2021 — the population enumeration phase — has not been notified.
The 84th amendment to the Constitution of India had placed a freeze on delimitation of parliamentary and assembly seats until 2026, apart from requiring the next delimitation process to be done based on figures of the first census to be undertaken after 2026. A census beginning in 2025, which will put out the population figures in March 2026, may not fulfil this criteria for fresh delimitation, unless the 84thamendment is revisited, a former officer at the Office of Registrar General of India (ORGI) told TOI.
The deadline for freezing the boundaries of administrative units like districts, tehsils, villages etc — a mandatory procedure prior to start of census — was repeatedly extended after Census 2021 exercise, due to begin in April 2020, was deferred due to Covid outbreak. However, no extension order was issued after June 30, 2024.
Usually, the preparatory process for census — which comprises houselisting and housing phase, usually undertaken between April 1 and September 30, followed by the population enumeration phase taken up in February of the following year — begins with a pre-test in the year preceding the start of census. This pre-test for Census 2021 was conducted in August-September 2019.
“The census process has undergone major a technical updation since...the next census will be the first digital census and will allow respondents to self-enumerate at both the houselisting and the population enumeration stage. All replies to the census questionnaire will be uploaded on the dedicated Census portal,” said an officer. A source told TOI that the Census portal is still being readied. “Since the processes have undergone a technical overhaul, the requirement for a fresh pre-test may be considered, even though the app and the software are being tested internally. The enumerators need to be well versed with the new processes and the census app,” said an former Census officer.
If the decadal pattern of previous census exercises is retained, the next census cycles may fall due in 2035, 2045 and so on. Sources, however, said there is no clarity yet on conducting a caste census — a demand made by allies like JD(U) and TDP as well as the opposition parties — possibly by adding a ‘caste’ field in the houselisting schedule.
The Census 2021 houselisting schedule, notified in January 2020, comprises 31 fields sans ‘caste’.
Though sources had earlier indicated that a decision on census was expected shortly, the schedule for National Population Register (NPR) updation, which was to be done alongside the first stage of Census — houselisting and housing operations — has not been notified yet. Even the schedule for the second stage of Census 2021 — the population enumeration phase — has not been notified.
The 84th amendment to the Constitution of India had placed a freeze on delimitation of parliamentary and assembly seats until 2026, apart from requiring the next delimitation process to be done based on figures of the first census to be undertaken after 2026. A census beginning in 2025, which will put out the population figures in March 2026, may not fulfil this criteria for fresh delimitation, unless the 84thamendment is revisited, a former officer at the Office of Registrar General of India (ORGI) told TOI.
The deadline for freezing the boundaries of administrative units like districts, tehsils, villages etc — a mandatory procedure prior to start of census — was repeatedly extended after Census 2021 exercise, due to begin in April 2020, was deferred due to Covid outbreak. However, no extension order was issued after June 30, 2024.
Usually, the preparatory process for census — which comprises houselisting and housing phase, usually undertaken between April 1 and September 30, followed by the population enumeration phase taken up in February of the following year — begins with a pre-test in the year preceding the start of census. This pre-test for Census 2021 was conducted in August-September 2019.
“The census process has undergone major a technical updation since...the next census will be the first digital census and will allow respondents to self-enumerate at both the houselisting and the population enumeration stage. All replies to the census questionnaire will be uploaded on the dedicated Census portal,” said an officer. A source told TOI that the Census portal is still being readied. “Since the processes have undergone a technical overhaul, the requirement for a fresh pre-test may be considered, even though the app and the software are being tested internally. The enumerators need to be well versed with the new processes and the census app,” said an former Census officer.
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