The Indian government delayed the long-overdue census to two phases before March 1, 2027, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) originally planned for the census in 2021 but postponed it. Challenges with data quality and coverage arose in countries that rushed censuses post-COVID-19.
“Covid disrupted all sectors, including education, impacting Census preparation. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that around 30 lakh enumerators, primarily school teachers, are crucial for conducting the Census, which may affect primary education post-Covid. The Ministry also confirmed that budget constraints don’t hinder Census operations due to consistent government funding.”
India’s 16th national population census, including caste enumeration for the first time since 1931, will start in March or April 2026. It will have a reference date of March 1, 2027, for most areas, but October 1, 2026, for Ladakh and snow-bound regions in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin raised concerns about delayed census-linked delimitation impacting parliamentary representation. MHA assured addressing southern states’ concerns in discussions. Congress criticized the delay, with General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stating on social media that the Modi Government excels in generating headlines but not meeting deadlines.
The upcoming census is critical for providing important socioeconomic and demographic data to shape government policies. It will also confirm India’s position as the world’s most populous nation, affecting caste-based quotas, delimitation exercises for Lok Sabha seats, and women’s reservation in legislatures. The official notification under Section 3 of the Census Act 1948 is expected to be published on June 16, 2025.
Sources News From Various Digital Platforms, Websites, Journalists, And Agencies.
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