Source: TH
Context: The Government of India has announced that the 16th Census will conclude by March 2027, marking the first digital and caste-based census in Independent India.
About 16th Census of India:
- What is Census in India?
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- A Census is the official enumeration of population, providing vital statistics on demography, economy, and socio-cultural aspects at every administrative level.
- Conducted every 10 years under the supervision of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Legal and Constitutional Backing:
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- Backed by Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
- Falls under Union List Entry 69, Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
- History of Census in India:
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- First non-synchronous Census: 1872
- First complete synchronous Census: 1881 by W.C. Plowden
- Last Census conducted in 2011 and 2021 delayed due to COVID-19
- Upcoming Census will be the 16th in series and 8th since Independence
- Features of the Upcoming Census (2026–27):
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- First Digital Census: Data collection will be done through a mobile application replacing paper schedules.
- Caste Enumeration Included: For the first time since Independence, caste data will be collected alongside SC/ST data.
- Self-Enumeration Option: Households with updated National Population Registry details may use an online portal for self-enumeration.
- Two-Phase Enumeration:
- Phase 1: House-listing and housing schedule
- Phase 2: Population enumeration (includes caste data)
- Reference Dates:
- Oct 1, 2026: Snow-bound areas (e.g., J&K, Ladakh, Himachal)
- March 1, 2027: Rest of India
- Administrative Training: Over 30 lakh enumerators will be trained for digital enumeration.
- Delimitation Impact: This Census will guide delimitation of Lok Sabha/Assembly seats post-2026, replacing the 1971 Census base.
