India begins world’s largest population census | Politics News

More than three million Indian officials have begun the year-long task of counting the country’s population.

More than three million officials in India have begun the world’s largest national population count, in a year-long process that could reshape welfare programs and political representation across the country.

The census, which has been partially delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, began on Wednesday and will end by March 31 next year.

Census workers will first spend about a month collecting information from homes and will document housing stock and living conditions.

Information will be collected through in-person surveys and online, allowing residents to use a smartphone app.

A second phase of the count will be conducted from September, during which more detailed information, such as people’s social and economic characteristics, including religion and caste, will be examined.

Caste controversy

Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy in India and is influential in defining social status and deciding who gets access to resources, education and economic opportunities.

There are hundreds of caste groups based on occupation and economic status across India, especially among Hindus, but the country has limited or outdated data on how many people belong to them.

Successive governments have resisted carrying out a full caste census, arguing that it could increase social tension and cause unrest.

Population data collected through the census supports the distribution of government welfare programs and a wide range of public policies.

It could also lead to a redrawing of India’s political map, as seats in the lower house of parliament and state legislatures could be increased to reflect population growth.

A 2023 law reserves one-third of legislative seats for women, so any expansion would increase the number of seats set aside for female representatives.

Supporters have stressed the need for data on those who deserve government assistance, while critics say caste has no place in a country with ambitions to become a key world power.

The last attempt to collect detailed caste information through a census dates back to 1931, during British colonial rule.

Since independent India’s first census in 1951, it has counted only Dalits and Adivasis, members of marginalized groups known as scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

The last census held in India was in 2011 and recorded a population of 1.21 billion. It is now estimated at over 1.4 billion, making India the world’s most populous nation.

India overtook China in 2023according to the United Nations Population Fund.