New Delhi: India is likely to begin conducting a long-delayed population census in September, two government sources said, reports Reuters. India's once-a-decade census was due to be completed in 2021 but was delayed because of the pandemic. It will take about 18 months to complete the new survey after it begins next month, two government sources involved in the matter said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, responsible for conducting the census, have drawn up a timeline and aim to release results by March 2026. This would cover a span of 15 years, according to the report.
The census reveals the demographic, socioeconomic, and social makeup of the country. The delay in conducting it has been criticized by economists both within and outside the government. The lack of current data on the population impacts the reliability of other crucial statistical surveys, such as those related to the economy, inflation, and employment. At present, most of these data sets, along with government schemes that rely on them, are based on the 2011 population census.
The officials told the news agency that the final approval from the Prime Minister's office is still pending. The Centre is yet to officially disclose the details of beginning the Census. Last year, a United Nations report said that India had surpassed China to become the world's most populous country.
