India Launches Long-Delayed National Census to Map Demographic Shift

New Delhi. India's long-delayed national census has finally commenced. This census is expected to reveal the country's demographic reality, significantly impacting everything from welfare programs to political structures. Viewed as the world's largest population count, the campaign aims to collect data on more than 1.4 billion people.

The previous census conducted in 2011 showed India's population at 1.21 billion. It is now estimated to have surpassed 1.4 billion, establishing India as the world's most populous nation. Although planned for 2021, the census was repeatedly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges.

The first phase of the new census began on Wednesday and will run through September. During this period, deployed officials will collect data on household conditions, available facilities, and housing details. This time, emphasis has been placed on the use of digital technology alongside traditional door-to-door surveys. Citizens will be able to submit their details themselves via a multilingual smartphone app, which also includes a satellite-based mapping system.

The second phase will run from September until April 1, during which detailed information regarding individuals' social and economic status, as well as religion and caste, will be collected. It is estimated that approximately 3 million government employees will be mobilized for this campaign. By comparison, in 2011, about 2.7 million enumerators surveyed more than 240 million households.

The most sensitive aspect of this census is the comprehensive collection of caste-based data. In India, the caste system is historically linked to a deep social structure that determines access to education, employment, and economic opportunities. However, there is a lack of updated data on the actual population of various caste groups in the country. The last detailed caste census was conducted in 1931, during the colonial era.

Since independence in 1951, India has only counted Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes—namely Dalit and indigenous communities. Previous governments avoided a full caste census, fearing it could increase social tension. However, the current effort is expected to provide realistic data necessary for policy formulation.

Data from the census could also have a direct impact on India's political structure. Based on population growth, the number of seats in the lower house of Parliament and state legislative assemblies may be redrawn. According to a law passed in 2023, one-third of seats are reserved for women, so if seats are expanded, women's representation will automatically increase.