Decennial Census

Why in news?

• In the wake of COVID pandemic, Odisha CM urges the Prime Minister to postpone Census work.

About Census of India

• The decennial Census of India has been conducted 15 times, as of 2011.
• While it has been undertaken every 10 years, beginning in 1872 under British Viceroy Lord Mayo, the first complete census was taken in 1881.
• Post 1949, it has been conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• All the censuses since 1951 were conducted under the 1948 Census of India Act.
• The last census was held in 2011, whilst the next will be held in 2021.

Census 2011

• Census 2011 was conducted in two phases.
• The first phase, called the House Listing or Housing Census was conducted between April and September, 2010 across the country, depending on the convenience of different States/UTs.
• The second phase, Population Enumeration, began simultaneously all over the country from February 9, 2011 and continued up to February 28, 2011.
• The landmark of Census 2011 is the creation of the National Population Register (NPR) which will build up a comprehensive identity database of usual residents of the country.
• It will have the biometric data and Unique Identification (UID) (External website that opens in a new window) Number of every person (15 years and above).
• However, NPR exercise has been marred in controversy, and NPR has not yet been created.

Prelims Question

Q.The decennial Census of India is conducted under the supervision of which of the following ministries?
a. Ministry of Home Affairs
b. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
c. PMO
d. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer to the Prelims Question