The census is crucial for many reasons. Data matters, especially in a country with a large and diverse population like India, several developmental deficits to bridge, and limited fiscal headroom. This dataset can help improve and refine administrative strategies and proper implementation of welfare schemes and social security measures that are important for the well-being of many underprivileged citizens and the country’s development. GoI currently relies on 2011 census data and other surveys to implement different programmes. With a country changing at a fast clip, the 2011 data is dated.
It is not that GoI never intended to undertake the 2021 Census. It notified its intention to conduct it through a gazette notification on March 28, 2019. The entire pre-enumeration and two-phase census process takes 12-15 months. But the Covid pandemic disrupted the plans. However, as India recovered from the pandemic disruption, many stalled projects were restarted. Even the Kumbh Mela and several assembly elections, preceded by crowded poll rallies, were held on schedule. But, for some reason, GoI’s census operations did not move much. From the first census in 1881, the exercise has never been delayed or postponed before this. It is high time that GoI explains the reasons for this delay and provides a timeline for conducting the exercise, an essential cog in development planning.