Census of India
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs9
- Articles2
Background
The Census of India is a decennial population enumeration exercise, legally mandated by the Census Act of 1948. It is one of the largest administrative exercises globally, providing a comprehensive snapshot of India's demographic, social, and economic landscape. Conducted under the Ministry of Home Affairs, it serves as a cornerstone for governance and development planning.
The Census is fundamental for understanding India's population dynamics, socio-economic conditions, and for evidence-based governance, policy formulation, and resource distribution, directly impacting welfare schemes and electoral processes.
- Legal Basis
- Census Act, 1948
- Nodal Authority
- Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (under Ministry of Home Affairs)
- Frequency
- Decennial (every 10 years)
- First Non-Synchronous Census
- 1872
- First Synchronous Census
- 1881
Facts & tables
The Census operation typically involves two phases: the House-listing Operations and the Population Enumeration. The House-listing phase collects information on all buildings, houses, and housing characteristics, while the Population Enumeration phase collects detailed demographic and socio-economic data about each individual.
Data collected includes demographics (age, sex, marital status, religion, mother tongue, literacy), socio-economic indicators (occupation, educational attainment, migration status), housing characteristics (type of house, amenities like drinking water, sanitation, electricity), and household amenities.
- Last Completed Census
- 2011
- Next Census Due
- 2021 (delayed)
- Confidentiality
- Individual data collected is confidential and not shared publicly; only aggregated data is released.
- Largest Administrative Exercise
- The Census of India is considered the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on the people of India.
- Data for Delimitation
- Census data is used for the delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies.
- Frequency
- Conducted decennially (every 10 years)
- Legal Basis
- Census Act, 1948
- Constitutional Provision
- Union List, Entry 69 of Seventh Schedule
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| House-listing Operations | Collection of information on all buildings, houses, and housing characteristics, including amenities and assets. |
| Population Enumeration | Collection of detailed demographic, social, and economic data about each individual residing in the household. |
| Category | Examples of Data Points |
|---|---|
| Demographic | Age, Sex, Marital Status, Religion, Mother Tongue, Literacy |
| Social | Caste (SC/ST), Disability Status, Migration Status |
| Economic | Occupation, Employment Status, Educational Attainment |
| Housing & Amenities | Type of House, Availability of Drinking Water, Sanitation, Electricity, Fuel Used |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India | Conducts the census |
| Ministry of Home Affairs | Administrative control of rgi |
Prelims angle
For Prelims, questions often focus on factual aspects such as the Census Act year, the nodal ministry, the frequency of the census, the year of the first synchronous census, and the broad categories of data collected. Understanding the two phases of the census (House-listing and Population Enumeration) is also important.
For Mains (GS-I Society, GS-II Governance, Social Justice), the Census is crucial. Questions can revolve around its significance for policy formulation, resource allocation, and understanding social change. The challenges in conducting the census, the implications of its delay, and the ongoing debate surrounding a caste census are high-priority topics. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the arguments for and against a caste census, its potential impact on social justice, and administrative feasibility.
- Decennial exercise, last full census in 2011.
- Delayed since 2021 due to COVID-19 and logistical hurdles.
- Statutory basis: Census Act, 1948.
- Crucial for policy planning, resource allocation, delimitation.
- Conducted by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
Current affairs
The Census of India 2021 has been significantly delayed, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent administrative reasons, impacting various policy decisions and resource allocations. Concurrently, there is an intensified national debate regarding the inclusion of caste-wise enumeration beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The delay in Census 2021 has significant implications, as the data from the 2011 Census is now over a decade old and may not accurately reflect current demographic realities. This impacts the effective planning and implementation of welfare schemes, resource distribution to states, and the delimitation of electoral constituencies, potentially leading to misallocation of funds and skewed representation.
Timeline
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Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
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Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
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Caste away: On the Court and caste count
India's decennial population enumeration, mandated by statute, which collects comprehensive data on demographics, housing, and socio-economic indicators, serving as a critical input for government planning, policy implementation, and academic research, currently facing delays and discussions over its scope.
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Data hygiene: On the Census and enumerators
India's decennial Census, mandated by the Census Act, 1948, is a critical exercise under the Union List, providing comprehensive data essential for national planning, policy formulation, and administrative purposes.
See also
Dashed boxes: related topics without a notes page yet. Tap a solid box to open notes.
Past papers
2013–2021 · 9 questions
In the news
Data hygiene: On the Census and enumerators
India's decennial Census, mandated by the Census Act, 1948, is a critical exercise under the Union List, providing comprehensive data essential for national planning, policy formulation, and administrative purposes.
Caste away: On the Court and caste count
India's decennial population enumeration, mandated by statute, which collects comprehensive data on demographics, housing, and socio-economic indicators, serving as a critical input for government planning, policy implementation, and academic research, currently facing delays and discussions over its scope.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?
1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next years
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year
Statement 1 is correct: The MPLAD scheme lets MPs recommend works for local infrastructure and development needs in their constituency. The focus is on creating durable assets that benefit the community. Certain works are prohibited under MPLAD guidelines, which MPs must follow. Statement 2 is correct: The scheme requires MPs to allocate at least 15% of the MPLADS entitlement for the year to areas inhabited by the Scheduled Caste population and 7.5% for areas inhabited by the Scheduled Tribe population. If there are insufficient tribal populations in the MP's constituency, they can recommend this amount for the creation of community assets in tribal areas outside their constituency, but within their State of election. If a state does not have Scheduled Tribe inhabited areas, this amount can be utilized in Scheduled Caste areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: Funds released to the District Authority by the Government of India under the MPLAD scheme are non-lapsable, meaning that funds left in the district can be carried forward and utilized in subsequent years. Statement 4 is correct: The District Authority is responsible for coordinating and supervising the works under the scheme at the district level. They also inspect at least 10% of the works under implementation every year. Based on the above information, the correct answer is (d).
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized food grains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. Beneficiaries are identified using Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) methodology so even non-BPL will also benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Under the NFSA, to issue ration cards the eldest woman of a household aged 18 years or above would be considered as head. Hence, this statement is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, says the official act.
Consider the following statements :
1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualifications laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education.
2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines.
3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the RTE Act, the minimum qualification for teachers is set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), not the state council. Statement 2 is correct: The RTE Act mandates that candidates must pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to qualify for teaching primary classes. The NCTE sets the guidelines for conducting this test. Statement 3 is incorrect: According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20, approximately 67% of teacher education institutions in India are privately managed, while only around 33% are government-run. Hence, the correct answer is option (b) 2 only.
The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?
* PESA doesn't deal with the creation of autonomous regions in tribal areas. * The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of certain tribal areas as autonomous entities. The provisions of the sixth schedule are provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Indian Constitution.
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?
Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha has been assigned to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both that may be given.
Show 4 more PYQs
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
At the national level, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?
1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with crèches must allow the mother minimum six crèche visits daily.
3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 has made several significant changes to benefit women employees - Paid maternity leave has been increased to 26 weeks from 12 weeks. - For women expecting after having 2 children, the leave duration remains at 12 weeks. - Establishments employing 50 or more employees must provide a crche facility, and women employees should be allowed to visit the facility 4 times during the day.
Consider the following statements:
1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The recent amendment to the India Forest Act,1927 does not provide for the right of forest dwellers to fell the bamboos grown on the forest areas. Statement 2 is correct. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is classified as a minor forest produce. Statement 3 is correct. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows forest dwellers to own, collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which includes bamboo, tendu leaves, honey, and other forest produce.
Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India :
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi Tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
During the fourth Five-Year Plan, a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes, known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, to identify groups that are considered to be at a lower level of development. Statement 1 is correct: PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) in India. Statement 2 is correct: The criteria for determining PVTG status include a pre-agricultural level of technology, a stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence-level of economy. Statement 3 is incorrect: As of now, there are 75 PVTGs officially notified in the country, not 95. Statement 4 is correct: Both Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. So, the correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.