Census 2026 (Indian Constitution and Polity)
Census 2026 (Indian Constitution and Polity)
Why In News:
India's decennial Census has been delayed since 2021 (due to COVID-19 and operational reasons) and is now anticipated to be conducted in 2026.
About India's Census
Constitutional basis: Article 246, List I (Union List), Entry 69 - 'Census'.
Conducting authority: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Legislation: Census Act, 1948.
History: First conducted in 1872 under Viceroy Mayo; first synchronous (nationwide simultaneous) Census in 1881.
Key Facts for Prelims
2011 Census: Population: 1.21 billion; Literacy: 74.04%; Sex ratio: 940 females per 1,000 males; Decadal growth: 17.64%.
National Population Register (NPR): A comprehensive database of usual residents of India; maintained alongside the Census; different from NRC (National Register of Citizens) which is only for Indian citizens.
Sample Registration System (SRS): Provides annual estimates of birth and death rates; conducted by the Office of the Registrar General(Ministry of Home Affairs).