Page 18 - NIS English 16-31 May, 2026

Delay in Census

Due to COVID

After the 2011 Census, the government had completed all
preparations for the 2021 Census. At that time, the biggest pandemic
of the century, COVID, struck, making it impossible to conduct the
census. Even after the COVID crisis subsided, the country needed
time to recover, and now the census is being carried out.

The census is conducted in
two distinct phases: first, the
enumeration of houses/households,
followed by the enumeration of
individuals. Currently, the first
phase – the enumeration of houses
– is underway. Since houses do not n The Union Cabinet, chaired by n Due to the outbreak
possess a caste identity, the census the prime minister Narendra of the COVID-19
form for this phase does not include a Modi, has approved the pandemic, Census
field for caste information. The issue proposal for conducting the 2021 and associated
of a caste census will arise when we Census of India 2021 and fieldwork activities
updation of the National
were postponed until
conduct the census of individuals. Population Register (NPR). further notice.
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister n The government's intention n Consequently, the long-
to conduct Census 2021 was awaited census in India
notified in the Gazette of India has now commenced
all ages—was conducted in the German city of on March 28, 2019. in the year 2027.
Nuremberg in the year 1449. Reports indicate
that other provincial or municipal censuses
were carried out in Switzerland during the Key Demographic Findings of Census 2011
15th and 16th centuries. In North America, Total Population Population Growth
the first census within the Spanish-held ter- During the decade
ritories was commissioned by King Philip II of 1.21 Billion 2001-2011
Spain in 1576. This task was executed by the 18.20 Crore
indigenous inhabitants of the region, and the As of March 1, 2011
report they compiled is currently preserved at Number of Males Child Sex Ratio in 2011
the University of Texas. 62.32 (per 1,000 Boys)
However, historical records Crore
suggest that there is no Number of Females 918 Girls
single event that can be Literacy Rate in Country
definitively termed “the 58.76 Crore India’s Population
first census”; while early 73.0% Density in 2011
Kerala retained the top
enumerations often position with a literacy rate of 382 per square
kilometre,
incorporated one or more 80.9% 64.6% with a decadal growth
features characteristic of Males Females 93.91% of 17.7%.
modern censuses, none can
lay claim to having encompassed followed by Lakshadweep (91.8%) and Mizoram (91.3%)

16 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 16-31, 2026