India Launches Ambitious Population Count
NEW DELHI — India has kicked off the largest national population count in the world, a move that could transform welfare programs and influence political representation across the nation.
The last census was conducted in 2011, which recorded a population of 1.21 billion. Today, estimates suggest that the number has risen to over 1.4 billion, making India the most populous country globally.
Originally scheduled for 2021, the census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and various logistical hurdles.
Counting the Population
The first phase of the census began on Wednesday and will continue until September, with workers gathering information about homes and local facilities. They will focus on housing conditions and living standards across the country.
In addition to traditional in-person surveys, residents will also have the option to use a multilingual smartphone app that incorporates satellite mapping. This digital approach aims to make the process more accessible.
From September to April 1, the second phase will collect detailed information, including residents’ social and economic backgrounds, such as religion and caste. Over 3 million government workers are expected to participate, which is an increase from the nearly 2.7 million enumerators who surveyed more than 240 million households in 2011.
Navigating the Caste System
The second phase of the census will delve deeper into the caste system beyond the historically marginalized groups. The caste system, which has existed for centuries, plays a significant role in determining social status and accessibility to resources and opportunities.
There is a wealth of caste groups based on occupation and economic status, particularly among Hindus. However, there’s a lack of current data on the population distribution across these groups. The last extensive caste enumeration was conducted in 1931 during British rule. Since independent India’s first census in 1951, counts have primarily focused on marginalized communities known as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Governments in the past have been hesitant to conduct a complete caste count, fearing it could lead to increased social tensions.
Importance of Population Data
The data gathered through the census is crucial for the distribution of government welfare programs and numerous public policies. Additionally, it could lead to a redesign of India’s political landscape, with potential increases in parliamentary and state legislative seats, reflecting the rise in population. A recent law allocates one-third of legislative seats for women, so any increase in overall seats would also enhance female representation.
This census is more than just numbers; it’s about understanding the people of India and how best to serve their needs.
