Context:
The Union Cabinet has approved an allocation of ₹11,718.24 crore for conducting the Census of India 2027. This marks a significant shift as it will be India’s first digital census and the first caste-based enumeration since Independence, while no separate budget has been earmarked for updating the National Population Register (NPR).
Key Highlights:
Cabinet Approval & Financial Outlay
- Total approved amount: ₹11,718.24 crore for Census 2027.
- In contrast, 2019 approvals included:
- ₹8,754.23 crore for Census 2021
- ₹3,941.35 crore separately for NPR updation
Digital & Caste Enumeration
- Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census.
- It will include caste enumeration, a first in independent India.
NPR-Related Development
- No separate budget for NPR this time.
- NPR data was earlier collected in 2010 and updated in 2015.
- Existing NPR database covers about 119 crore residents.
Operational & Technological Aspects
- Around 18,600 technical personnel to be engaged at the local level.
- Engagement period: ~550 days.
- Data collection via mobile applications.
- Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal developed for real-time monitoring.
Census-as-a-Service (CaaS)
- Objective: Provide clean, machine-readable, and actionable data to Ministries.
- Enhances data-driven governance and policy planning.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Conducting a delayed census with expanded scope (digital + caste).
- Causes:
- Postponement of Census 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
- Government Initiatives:
- Digital Census, CaaS initiative, CMMS portal
- Benefits:
- Improved accuracy, speed, and usability of data
- Better targeting of welfare schemes
- Challenges:
- Data privacy concerns
- Digital divide at grassroots level
- Impact:
- Influences delimitation, reservation policies, and social justice debates.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Key Definitions:
- Census: Complete enumeration of population with demographic, social, and economic data.
- NPR: Register of persons usually resident in India.
- NRC: Register containing names of Indian citizens.
- Constitutional & Legal Linkages:
- Census under Union List (Seventh Schedule)
- Static + Conceptual Issues:
- Role of census in planning, federal transfers, and representation
- Distinction between Census, NPR, and NRC
- Governance Angle:
- Digital governance, real-time monitoring, data integration
- Way Forward:
- Ensure data security and transparency
- Address digital literacy gaps
- Build trust through clear communication on NPR–NRC distinctions
- Timely release and effective utilisation of census data
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 2: Polity & Governance – Census, NPR, Digital Governance
- GS 1: Indian Society – Caste, Demographics
- Prelims: Definitions, institutions, census facts