NEW DELHI: India’s population census, which has been pending since 2021, is likely to begin in September 2024, as reports inform that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking to remove important data gaps in his third term as Prime Minister.
The population census was supposed to happen in 2021, but due to the pandemic, it could not take place. The population survey will take around 18 months to complete once it begins next month.
The delay in the census has drawn widespread criticism from outside experts as well as economists within the government. The lack of updated population figures adversely affects other statistical figures such as economic data, inflation, employment statistics, etc.
As per the report, the Ministry of Home Affairs, which monitors the survey exercise, and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation have framed a timeline for the census, the results of which will be released by March 2026. It will cover a 15-year period. Now a final go-ahead is needed from the top leadership to put the wheel in motion.