In a surprising move, the government has drastically reduced the budget for the upcoming census. The allocation for the 2024-25 census stands at just Rs 1,309 crore, a sharp decline from the Rs 3,768 crore that was earmarked in the 2021-22 budget. This budget cut has raised concerns among economists and policymakers, who argue that the delay and reduced funding may compromise the quality and accuracy of essential data collected during the census.
Prominent Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticised the delay, noting that this is the first instance since independence where the census has not been conducted on schedule. The delay has also sparked broader concerns, as the lack of updated census data has reportedly affected the accuracy of various statistical surveys, including economic data, inflation, and employment estimates.
A notable feature of the 2024 census is that it will be conducted entirely digitally for the first time. Citizens will have the opportunity to self-register their information, a move expected to enhance transparency and accuracy in the data collection process. The digital approach is seen as a significant step forward in modernising the census process in a country with a population of 1.4 billion.
The census is a crucial tool for policymakers, who rely on up-to-date data to design and implement government schemes and programmes. With most current data sets still based on the 2011 census, there is growing concern that many government initiatives may be less effective due to outdated information.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation have set a strict deadline for completing the census process, with the aim of releasing the final results by March 2026. This will mark the end of a 15-year gap since the last census, underscoring the urgency of obtaining fresh data to guide India’s development and governance strategies in the coming years.
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