Centre sets March 2027 deadline for Census

Srinagar, Jun 5: Even as Census 2021 was to be conducted on the scheduled date, for which all preparations were in place but the outbreak of COVID-19 across the country resulted in postponement of Census related work, said a Union Home Ministry spokesperson in a statement. It said the central government has decided to commence the process of Census forthwith, which will complete on March 1, 2027.

"Census 2021 was to be conducted and all preparations for Census were completed. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the country, the Census work was postponed. The aftershock of Covid-19 continued for quite some time,” he said.

COVID disrupted all sectors including education, he added. “Around 30 lakh enumerators are needed for the Census. Enumerators, who are primary school teachers, are key persons for conducting the Census. Conducting Census after Covid could have disrupted primary education immensely,” he further said.

Countries which conducted Census immediately after Covid-19 faced issues on quality and coverage of Census data, said the spokesperson. “The Government has decided to commence the process of census forthwith which will complete on 1 March, 2027, the reference date for Census,” he added.

“Budget has never been a constraint for Census as fund is always ensured by the Govt. HM Shri @AmitShah has clarified on many occasions that in delimitation exercise, concerns of southern states will be taken care of and discussed with all concerned at an appropriate time,” he added.