NewDelhi: The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is reportedly preparing to initiate the long-pending national population census, potentially starting as early as September 2024. This significant update was revealed to Reuters on Wednesday, 21 August 2024, by two individuals with close ties to the government.
The sources indicated that if the census begins next month, it is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation aiming to release the results by March 2026. Despite the reports, no official confirmation has been received from either ministry, as they did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
While the final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is still pending, the anticipation surrounding the commencement of the census is growing. The delay in conducting the census has drawn criticism from economists and industry experts, who argue that the postponement has compromised the accuracy of other key statistical surveys, including those related to economic data, inflation, and employment estimates. Currently, most data sets in use are based on the previous census conducted in 2011.
The upcoming census is particularly significant as India, according to a United Nations report released last year, has now surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country. The outcome of this extensive survey will play a crucial role in shaping future policies and economic planning in the country.
As the nation waits for the official green light from the PMO, the potential commencement of the census marks a pivotal moment in India’s demographic and economic landscape.
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