Arabic version: الهند تطلق أكبر تعداد سكاني منذ أكثر من 15 عامًا
India has officially commenced its monumental census, the first in more than 15 years, aiming to count more than a billion people across the nation. This extensive exercise involves over three million officials and will include 33 questions addressing various aspects of life, such as housing conditions and internet access. According to BBC News, the census is deemed the world’s most ambitious population count.
The census, which is India’s 16th since independence in 1947, will gather crucial data for policy-making, welfare delivery, and political representation. With India’s population exceeding 1.4 billion, it has surpassed China as the world’s most populous country in 2023. The last census was conducted in 2011, and the current exercise was delayed due to the pandemic and administrative scheduling.
Conducted in two phases, the census will begin with a House Listing and Housing Census, gathering information on housing and amenities. The second phase, scheduled for February 2027, will focus on detailed demographic data, including caste enumeration, a sensitive issue in Indian society. This census will also be notable for its digital approach, utilizing mobile apps for data collection and allowing residents to self-enumerate online.
As the census progresses, it will cover 36 states and federally administered territories, encompassing thousands of towns and villages. The initial rollout will begin in select regions, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Mizoram, and Odisha, with self-enumeration running from April 1 to April 15.
The evolution of India’s census has reflected changing societal priorities, expanding from basic headcounts to comprehensive socio-economic data collection. However, there are concerns regarding data usage and potential impacts on citizenship perceptions, which could affect how families report their information. Despite these apprehensions, experts stress the importance of the census for accurate policymaking and resource allocation in a rapidly changing demographic landscape.
