There has been an inexplicable delay in initiating the census exercise even after the pandemic was over.
Authors
Deepanshu Mohan, Professor of Economics and Director, Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Najam Us Saqib, doctoral student with Central University, Kashmir, and a Research Analyst with Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University.
Summary
India has finally got around to organising its 2021 census — three years after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Census of India was conducted in 1881 and has been conducted every decade since then. The last census was held in 2011. It is one of the largest data collection exercises in the world. This will be the first digital census of India. Citizens will have the choice of self-enumerating by filling the census form digitally. They are expected to do it through a special mobile app developed by the Office of the Registrar General of India in 16 different Indian languages.
This will eliminate the need for enumerators, saving the government time and money. However, questions are being raised about switching to the digital option, especially as only half of the 1.4 billion Indian population has access to smartphones.
Published in: Down to Earth
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