A census is the total count of the people within a specific geographical area. The government of that area conducts the Census. The functioning of democracy depends on the Census. Censuses are conducted at a fixed interval. It is conducted every 5 or 10 years. In India, the Census is conducted once every 10 years. The last Census conducted was in 2011. The Indian Census is the largest source to get different types of statistical information on the residents of India. 

What is a Census?

A Census is the total count of the population within a specific geographical region during a fixed period. The Indian Census is conducted every 10 years. The 15th Census of India was conducted in 2011. India being the 2nd most populous country globally, the Census is a massive administrative activity for India. Conducting the Census is important for making important decisions about public welfare. 

The key points of India’s Census 2011

• The Indian Census 2011 was conducted in 35 states and union territories
• The total population of India is 1210.6 million. 833.5 million is the rural population, and 377.1 million is the urban population. Uttar Pradesh has the largest rural population. The state of Maharashtra has the largest urban population
• The population growth rate of India in the last decade has been 17.7%. The highest decadal growth in the rural population is in Meghalaya (27.2%), and the highest decadal growth rate in the urban population is in Daman & Diu (218.8%)
• The population density of India is 382. It is 57 more than it was in 2001. Bihar has the maximum population density (1106)
• In 2001, the sex ratio of India was 933. It has increased to 943 in the Indian Census 2011. In urban areas, the sex ratio has increased to 929 from 90. The highest sex ratio is in Kerala (1084). Chandigarh’s lowest sex ratio in the rural areas is recorded (690)
• India’s total Scheduled Caste population is 201.4 million, out of which 153.9 million are in rural areas and 47.5 in urban areas
• The total Scheduled Tribe population in India is 104.3 million, of Census 2011

Significance of Census

The Indian Census 2011 is beneficial to the government, non-profit, and private organizations in many ways. 

• Source of information: Demographers and researchers use the Census data to analyze the trends and growth of the population and make different projections
• Good Governance: The government uses census data for administrating, planning, and policymaking. The government also uses the data to evaluate and manage different welfare programs
• Demarcation: The census data is used to restrict the constituencies and state legislative assemblies
• Better business: private sectors and industries use the census data for their business planning
• Giving grants: Census data is also important in providing grants to the state and other authorities

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

The Government of India established the Unique Identification Authority of India on 12 July 2016. The statutory authority was established under the MEITY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). The purpose behind the creation of UIDAI was to issue Unique Identification Numbers (UID) to all Indian residents. UID is also called the ‘Aadhaar’. Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number, and it is unique for every resident of India. It is linked to the biometrics of an individual. 

Why is UIDAI beneficial?

The UIDAI is beneficial for different reasons.

• One Aadhaar: Every Indian resident has a unique Aadhaar number, so it helps identify fake identities and can eliminate duplicates
• Portability: Any agency and service can authenticate the beneficiary’s identity from the central Unique Identification Database
• Electronic benefit transfer: As bank accounts are linked with the Aadhaar number, the distribution of benefits has become easy and secure. The beneficiary can get the amount directly transferred to their bank account

Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC)

In 2011, the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was conducted for the first time since 1931. It is the Census where detailed information on castes was included. SECC provides information about a person’s specific caste name and economic status in rural and urban India. The economic status mentioned in this census is helpful for the authorities to find out the indications of deprivation. This census also helps the authorities re-evaluate the caste groups that are economically better off and worse off. 

Conclusion

The Indian Census is the complete process that includes the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of demographic, social, and economic data of the country’s population or well-defined region of the country during a specific time. The census data is significant in many ways. It is required for good governance, demarcation of constituencies, better business access, providing grants and other benefits to the eligible residents and others. Apart from the Census, the Socio-Economic and caste census was also conducted in 2011.