Historical Context
- The Census is a decennial exercise — conducted every 10 years since 1881 (first synchronous census under W.C. Plowden).
- It is governed by The Census Act, 1948 and is a Union List subject (Centre’s responsibility).
- Post-Independence, it has been held without a break from 1951 to 2011; 2021 Census was postponed due to COVID-19.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Social Issues)
How the Census is Conducted
- Two Phases since 1971:
- House-listing Phase (5–6 months): Captures household amenities, structure, fuel, appliances.
- Population Enumeration Phase (Feb): Captures individual details like age, gender, caste (SC/ST), occupation, education, etc.
- Staff: Central coordination with local-level implementation via teachers & local officials.
Significance of the Upcoming Census (2027 Reference Date)
- Inclusion of Caste Enumeration:
- First time since 1931 (for Hindus).
- Will enumerate caste data for all Hindu groups — long-standing demand from civil society and Opposition parties.
- Aims to inform affirmative action and welfare targeting.
- Foundation for Delimitation Exercise (Post-2026 Freeze Ends):
- Delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats based on updated population data.
- Could change the political representation balance across states.
- Enabler for Women’s Reservation (33% quota):
- The Women’s Reservation Act (2023) mandates reservation in legislatures after the Census and delimitation.
- 2027 Census is critical for its implementation by 2029.
Concerns of Southern and Smaller States
- Fear of Political Marginalisation:
- States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and northeastern states have controlled population growth.
- Delimitation based purely on population could reduce their Lok Sabha seat share.
- Demand: Freeze on seat allocation or compensatory mechanisms to protect political voice.
Way Forward
- Caste enumeration must be systematic, credible, and transparent.
- Wide inter-state consensus needed before delimitation to avoid federal friction.
- Women’s reservation must be operationalised through this Census and used for 2029 elections.
- Avoid hasty implementation — consider legal, political, and demographic implications.
