CENSUS OF INDIA
Definition:
Population Census is the total process of collecting, compiling,
analyzing and disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining,
at a specific time, of all persons in a country or a well-defined part of a country.
• It also provides the trends in population characteristics.
• The Indian Census is one of the largest administrative exercises undertaken
in the world.
Nodal Ministry:
• The decennial Census is conducted by the
Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home
Affairs.
• Until 1951, the Census Organisation was set up on an ad-hoc basis for each
Census.
Legal/Constitutional Backing:
• Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
• The bill for this Act was piloted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then
Home Minister of India.
• The population census is a Union subject under Article 246 of India
Constitution.
• It is listed at serial number 69 of the seventh schedule of the constitution
History of Census:
Ancient and Medieval Period:
1. Rigveda: The earliest literature 'Rig-Veda' reveals that some kind of
population count was maintained during 800-600 BC in India.
2. Arthashastra: 'Arthashastra' by 'Kautilya' written in the 3rd Century BC
prescribed the collection of population statistics as a measure of state
policy for taxation.
3. Ain-i-Akbari: During the regime of the Mughal king Akbar, the
administrative report 'Ain-e-Akbari' also included comprehensive data
pertaining to population, industry, wealth and many other
characteristics.
Pre-independence Period:
Initial Attempts:
1. The history of the census began with 1800 when England had begun its
Census.
2. In its continuation, a census was conducted in Allahabad (1824) and in Banaras
(1827-28) by James Prinsep.
3. The first complete census of an Indian city was conducted in 1830 by Henry
Walter in Dacca (now Dhaka).
4. The Second Census was conducted in Madras Presidency (which covered a
large part of South India) in 1836-37 by Fort St. George.
5. In 1849, the Government of India ordered the local governments to conduct
quinquennial (five-yearly) returns of population.
1. First Non-synchronous Census: It was conducted in India in 1872
during the reign of Governor-General Lord Mayo.
2. First Synchronous Census: The first synchronous census was taken
under British rule on February 17, 1881, by W.C. Plowden (Census
Commissioner of India).
3. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every
ten years.
Significant Findings in Later Censuses:
1. 1901: Inclusion of Balochistan, Rajputana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Burma, and
parts of Kashmir.
2. 1921: The first census to show a population decline due to the 1918 influenza
pandemic.
3. 1951 (First Post-Independence Census):
Introduced concepts of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Laid the groundwork for social welfare programs.
4. 1971: Incorporation of fertility data for married women.
5. 1981: Inclusion of migration details.
6. 1991: Focus on housing conditions and household amenities.
7. 2001: Introduction of the "literate but not educated" category.
Significant decline in population growth rate compared to the previous decade.
8. 2011:
Introduction of a "No Religion" category for the first time.
Increased focus on urbanization and literacy rates.
Sixteenth Census (2021):
Census 2021 was postponed owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it will be the first digital Census, also with a provision for self-
enumeration.
It is for the first time that information of households headed by a person
from the Transgender Community and members living in the family will
be collected. Earlier there was a column for male and female only.
De Facto Census:
Definition:
A de facto census is a method of population counting that enumerates
individuals based on where they are found at the time of the census, rather
than their usual place of residence.
This approach records people in the locations they physically occupy
on the census day, regardless of whether those locations are their
permanent homes.
Features:
1. Enumeration at Current Location: People are counted where they are present on the
census day.
2. Snapshot in Time: Provides a snapshot of the population distribution at a specific
point in time.
3. Temporary and Transient Populations: Captures data on individuals who might be
traveling, in institutions (like hospitals or prisons), or temporarily away from their
usual residence.
4. Simplicity: Easier to administer in terms of logistics since it doesn’t require linking
individuals to their permanent addresses.
5. Data on Transient Populations: Provides insights into temporary and transient
population groups that might not be captured in a de jure census (which counts
individuals at their usual residence).
Methods:
1. House-to-House Visits: Enumerators visit households and institutions to
count individuals present on the census day.
2. Survey Forms: Distributed and collected on the same day or within a
short period to ensure people are counted where they are at that time.
3. Administrative Records: Sometimes supplemented with data from
hotels, hospitals, prisons, and other institutions where people might be
temporarily residing.
4. Special Enumeration Areas: Specific locations like tourist areas or
major transportation hubs may have targeted enumeration efforts to count
transient individuals.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
1. Accurate Snapshot: Provides an
1. Distorted Population Distribution: May
accurate picture of population
over-represent areas with high transient
distribution at a given time.
populations (e.g., tourist areas) and under-
2. Simplicity in Enumeration: Easier
represent residential areas.
logistics as enumerators count
2. Less Useful for Policy Making: Data may
people where they are found
be less useful for planning services that
without needing to track their usual
depend on usual residence, such as schools,
residence.
health care, and infrastructure.
3. Captures Mobile Populations:
3. Duplication Risk: Individuals could be
Better at capturing data on
counted more than once if they move
individuals who are highly mobile
locations on the census day.
or without a fixed residence.
4. Challenges with Large Events: Large
4. Immediate Data Collection: Can
events or gatherings on the census day can
be faster as it avoids the
skew data significantly.
complexities of tracking usual
residences.
De Jure Census:
Definition
1. De Jure Census: A population count that registers people according to
their permanent or usual place of residence.
2. A de jure census is a method of population counting that enumerates
individuals based on their usual place of residence, regardless of
where they are at the time of the census.
3. This approach contrasts with a de facto census, which counts individuals
based on where they are physically present at the time of the census.
Features:
1. Usual Residence Focus: Individuals are counted based on where they
typically live.
2. Comprehensive Data Collection: Collects detailed information about
demographic, social, and economic characteristics.
3. Legal Residence: Emphasizes the legal residence of individuals rather
than their physical presence on census day.
4. Long-term Stability: Captures a stable population base, aiding in long-
term planning and policy-making.
Methods:
1. Questionnaire Distribution: Households receive forms to fill out,
indicating the usual residents.
2. Enumerators: Census workers may visit households to collect data
directly.
3. Administrative Records: Use of government records to verify or
supplement collected data.
4. Digital Data Collection: Increasing use of online forms and mobile data
collection methods.
Advantages: Disadvantages
1. Accurate Representation: Provides a 1. Complexity: More complex to
administer as it requires accurate
more accurate picture of where people
records of usual residence.
live and need services.
2. Potential Errors: Errors can occur
2. Policy Relevance: Facilitates if people are incorrectly reported as
planning and allocation of resources to living at a usual residence where
areas where people actually reside. they do not actually reside.
3. Comparability: Offers data that can 3. Underreporting: Risk of
be compared over time, given the undercounting transient populations,
stable residence criterion. such as students, migrant workers,
4. Household-Level Data: Allows for and the homeless.
detailed socio-economic analysis at 4. Cost: Generally more expensive due
the household level to the need for extensive verification
and follow-up.
Significance of a census:
The significance of a census lies in its ability to provide comprehensive and accurate data
about a population. This information is critical for a wide range of purposes, including
policy making, economic planning, and social services.
1. Policy Making and Governance
Informed Decision Making: Governments use census data to make informed decisions
about resource allocation, infrastructure development, and public services.
Electoral Representation: Census data helps in redrawing electoral districts to ensure
fair representation based on population changes.
2. Economic Planning
Budget Allocation: Helps in the equitable distribution of government funds to different
regions based on population needs.
Economic Development: Businesses use census data to identify market trends, labor
force characteristics, and areas for investment.
3. Social Services:
a. Public Health: Assists in planning healthcare services and identifying
areas needing medical facilities and interventions.
b. Education: Guides the allocation of educational resources and helps in
planning for schools and other educational institutions.
c. Social Programs: Helps in designing and targeting social welfare
programs to the populations that need them most.
4. Research and Analysis:
d. Demographic Studies: Provides essential data for demographic studies,
enabling analysis of population growth, migration patterns, and aging
trends.
e. Sociological Research: Facilitates research into social issues such as
housing, employment, and family structure.
5. Urban and Rural Planning:
Infrastructure Development: Data is used for urban planning, including
transportation systems, utilities, and housing developments.
Rural Development: Helps in planning for rural development projects,
ensuring that even less populated areas are considered in planning
processes.
6. Public Safety and Emergency Planning:
Disaster Preparedness: Assists in planning for emergencies and disasters
by identifying population density and vulnerable groups.
Public Safety: Helps in allocating police and fire services to areas based
on population needs.
