Delayed Census: A Threat to National Progress and Governance
Why is the Government not able to carry out the much delayed Indian census?
The release of the 2021 Census data was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but now three years later, it is still not published (recent media update suggests that census is set to be completed by 2026). The 2011 Census was already significantly delayed, with only some demographic data released in parts, and the essential socio-economic datasets have not been released to date.
In effect, this has resulted in an unprecedented 23-year gap between comprehensive census data release since 2001. Census in India has been carried out regularly every ten years, since the first census in 1871 during the British rule.
​
At UCM, we are studying the impact of the delayed Census on urban planning and the shaping of our infrastructure, amenities and facilities without the data available on urban-rural distribution, socio-economic factors and overall population demographies.
Census Timeline
India maintained a consistent decennial census pattern
2021-2024: Unprecedented Delay
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the 2021 census.
1991-2001: Regular Census Conduct
2011: Partial and Delayed Release
The 2011 census marked a departure from the norm. Instead of a complete release, data was published in parts over two years.
2026
As per media update, Census is set to be completed by 2026
Importance of Census at different levels
The extended delay in conducting the census has far-reaching implications. It affects the accuracy of population projections, resource allocation, and the planning of social welfare programs. The absence of up-to-date data hampers evidence-based policymaking and leadS to misaligned development strategies.
Delivery of Services at Local Level:
Analysis of census data for urban planning including public transport.
Fund Allocation at Central Level: ​
2011 Census revealed high maternal and child mortality, guiding increased funding for the National Health Mission
Resource requirement at Panchayat Level:
In a village in Uttar Pradesh, gram panchayats assess employment
Financial outcomes and policy making at State Level:
Tamil Nadu used census data to target young children and mothers, improving its ICDS program.
Implications of delay and lack of Census
-
At policy level, programs such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam where one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are dependent on census for its allocation are on hold.​​
-
In urban areas, informal sector workers such as street vendors, daily wage laborer's are unaccounted for or missing in resource allocation. This lack of representation leads to inadequate access to social security schemes such as the Employees' Provident Fund or the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana.​​​​​​​
-
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which can be interpreted to include the right to access information necessary for making informed choices about one’s health, safety, and welfare.
Supreme Court Judgements
-
In a judgment regarding the challenge to vaccine mandates, the petitioner argued that the mandates violated privacy rights, lacked proper informed consent, and demanded the release of clinical trial data to ensure transparency.​​​
-
This demand for openness parallels the importance of accurate and comprehensive data collection, similar to how a national census gathers crucial information about the population to inform policy decisions.​​
​
-
In a judgment addressing the challenges faced by migrant workers, the court emphasized the importance of proper registration, access to food security, and the effective implementation of existing welfare schemes to support their well-being.
-
Just as the census helps inform public policy decisions across a wide range of areas—education, healthcare, housing, etc.—the accurate registration and data collection for migrant workers would allow the government to better target its welfare schemes and ensure that these vulnerable workers receive the support they are entitled to. ​
Research/ Advocacy questions
-
Given the irregular publishing of date, are we to assume a new timeline for Census? Can we be provided with a concrete timeline that will be followed? ​
-
Is there real understanding of what is required? How is the government able to allocate resource or funding for different sectors without accurate data?
-
Has the process towards generating the data begun and how are the current figures being generated?