Why India is not conducting Census 2021 | Know about Census | in detailed

Currently the United Nations Population Fund has released its report, stating India in the mid 2023 would surpass China, and the former will become the World's most populous country. 

Now UNPF has revealed its reports and in this report India stands at top with 142.8 crore surpasses China by marginally 0.2 crore. Many researchers are not accepting the report claiming the data fetched by the UNPF is secondary and it is outdated data based on 2011 Census, the last census held in India nearly 13 years ago. 

In this content we shall try to learn about the following topics.

1. What about Census.

2. Why the Census is not conducting in India since 2011

3. What would happen if it not conducted. 

What is Census? 

It is process in which there is a collection of data related to demography, economy and social data of a country or any particular region. Mainly census encompasses three steps - Collection, Analysing and Dissemination of data. 

Its main aim is to determine the changes in the population. It is released by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, works under ministry of Home Affairs.

Has its any constitutional validation ? 

No, the word Census is not enshrined in the Indian constitution. But is mentioned indirectly. For instance, in the process of delimitation of any new constituency, it is prerequisite to conduct survey of the specific area. 

However, we have the Indian Census Act 1948, it does not says about the time period in which the survey should be conducted. Generally India conducting its survey at every 10 years since 1881 and many nations conduct survey at every 10 years in their countries. The USA, UK, and other European nations conduct survey on time even in the Covid 19 period, but India did not conduct it.

Why India is not conducting its Census? 

Lets first know about the process of Census. Census encompasses two steps. In the first step, it counts the number of households. And in the second step, it counts the number of people living in the houses and their sex, age group, occupations, economic and social status, etc. Above all the data are Primary data and are genuine, and relevant. 

Its help in the decision making in administrative systems. The government designs plans for specific age groups people. It fuels in the decision making plans meant for people development and nation building.

The conducting of survey requires over 33 lakhs people. And the government may planning in a new way to match with its national development. India has become the World's most fast economy and the decision to reach India at such level requires new parameters and have to set a new benchmark.

Impacts if not conducted?

There is not any legal compulsion to conduct survey on time, but it has its own importance. An updated, authentic, relevant data is necessary before designing any plans for the welfare of the people or national development. 

The authentic and relevant data helps in administrative system for many purposes. If it is not conducted on time, it may hinder the development.