WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CENSUS?

What is the significance of the Census? The story so far: The Union Home Ministry has announced the next Census will be conducted in two phases and that the reference date for Census enumeration would be March 1, 2027.

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What is the history of Census?

Census is the process of collecting, compiling and analysing the population of the country. Right from Kautilya's Arthashastra to the administrative report 'Ain-i-Akbari' during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, there have been references to population census.

A synchronous census is where population data is collected simultaneously across the country. This kind of census was started in 1881 during the British period with W. C. Plowden being the first Census Commissioner of India. The details were collected in census schedules till Independence. The questions in the schedule underwent changes with each census but broadly contained questions relating to age, sex, mother tongue, literacy status, religion, caste etc. The last census where caste was enumerated for Hindus was in 1931.

How is the Census conducted?

The Census is a Union list subject while The Census Act, 1948 is the key legislation governing the Census process. It authorises the Central government to undertake Census operations and appoint a Census Commissioner to supervise the entire exercise. The Centre also appoints Directors of Census Operations to supervise the Census within several States, while the State governments may appoint Census officers. The staff for conducting the Census is provided by the local authorities of a State, which predominantly consists of teachers.