Census 2021
Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Census to be conducted in 2021 and other related activities have been postponed by the Union Home Ministry.
About Census:
- Census provides information about the size, distribution and socio-economic status of population in the country, demographic information and other details.
- Census in India was first started in the year 1872 during the reign of British Viceroy Lord Mayo. It helped in formulating new policies, government programs to uplift the society.
- The first complete census in India was conducted in the year 1881. Since then, once every 10 years, the census is conducted smoothly.
Who conducts census in India?
The responsibility of conducting the decadal census in India has been entrusted to the Office of the Registrar General and Censuses Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The Census is one of the most reliable sources of information on the following subjects:
- Demographics
- Economic activities
- Literacy and education
- Accommodation and Household Amenities
- Urbanization, Fertility and Mortality
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Language
Historical importance:
- ‘Rigveda’ shows that census was conducted in India during 800-600 BCE as well.
- In the Arthashastra written by Kautilya in the 3rd century BC, the collection of population figures was mentioned as a measure of state policy for taxation.
- The ‘Aina-i-Akbari’, written during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, contained detailed data related to population, industry, wealth and many other characteristics.
Source – The Hindu