What's New :
8th July 2025 (9 Topics)

First-Ever Digital Census in 2027

Context:

The Registrar General of India (RGI) has announced that the 2027 Census will be India's first digital Census, introducing self-enumeration via a web portal and the use of mobile applications for real-time data collection, with the aim of ensuring faster availability of Census data.

First Digital Census (2027):

  • For the first time, digital tools and platforms will be used to collect demographic data.
  • Data will be transmitted electronically to a central server, ensuring reduced lag in data availability.
  • Self-enumeration will be enabled via a dedicated web portal.
  • Mobile applications (Android and iOS) will support data collection in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

Comparison with Previous Censuses:

  • The last completed Census was 2011; the 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In traditional censuses, primary data took 2–3 years to become publicly available.
  • The 2027 digital approach is aimed at real-time or early data dissemination.

Phased Implementation:

  • The Census will be conducted in two phases, similar to earlier patterns (House-listing followed by Population Enumeration).
  • Residents can participate in both phases via self-enumeration.

Institutional Coordination:

  • All States/UTs have been directed to appoint nodal officers for overseeing implementation and coordination.
  • This marks a federal approach to data collection, integrating both Centre and State mechanisms.

Relevance of Census in Governance:

  • Census data is foundational for:
    • Delimitation of constituencies
    • Reservation of seats (SC/ST)
    • Resource allocation and welfare planning
    • Monitoring migration, urbanisation, and socio-economic indicators

 

Registrar General of India (RGI)

Establishment and Institutional Role

  • The Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) was established in 1949 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • The Registrar General also serves as the Ex-Officio Census Commissioner of India.
  • The position is usually held by a Joint Secretary-level civil servant.
  • Key Functions of the RGI
  • Census of India (Decennial):
    • Conducts the Census every 10 years, which provides granular data on population, socio-economic, and geographic indicators.
    • Last completed Census: 2011.
    • Upcoming: 2027 (First Digital Census).
  • Linguistic Survey of India (LSI):
    • Conducted along with the Census to assess linguistic diversity.
    • The first LSI was conducted by George Abraham Grierson, completed in 1928.
    • Modern surveys focus on language use, dialects, and linguistic distribution.
  • Civil Registration System (CRS):
    • A continuous, real-time population database, mandated for recording births and deaths.
    • Operates under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
    • The RBD Act was amended in 2023, making digital registration on a central portal mandatory from October 1, 2023.
  • Vital Statistics Compilation:
    • Publishes Annual Vital Statistics Reports derived from CRS.
    • Used for policy formulation, public health monitoring, and demographic analysis.
  • Legal Framework
  • Census Act, 1948: Governs the conduct of Census in India.
  • Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969:
    • Legal basis for compulsory registration of all births and deaths.
    • Section 12: Empowers the Registrar to issue birth/death certificates.
    • 2023 Amendment: Mandates use of a Central Digital Portal for real-time registration.

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