New Delhi: The Budget for 2024-25 allocated only Rs 1,309.46 crore for the census, a notable decrease from the previous budget of Rs 3,768 crore for the same exercise, suggesting that the census might be postponed despite the delay. During a Union cabinet meeting on December 24, 2019, the proposal to conduct the Indian census of 2021 was approved at a cost of Rs 8,754.23 crore, along with updating the National Population Register (NPR) at a cost of Rs 3,941.35 crore.
The census house listing and NPR update activities that were planned from April 1 to September 30, 2020 nationwide were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The census process remains paused and the revised timeframe has not been revealed by the government yet. Authorities stated that due to the occurrence of the general elections this year, the census will be postponed until 2024. As per the Budget 2024-25, the amount allocated for census surveys and statistics is Rs 1,309.46 crore, compared to Rs 578.29 crore in 2023-24.
Government officials said that the total expenditure for the census and NPR project is expected to exceed Rs 12,000 crore. Whenever it takes place, this project will mark the initial digital census allowing citizens to self-enumerate.
The NPR is mandatory for individuals who wish to complete the census form themselves instead of using government enumerators. The census authority has created a self-enumeration portal that has not been released yet. Aadhaar or mobile number must be provided during self-enumeration. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner crafted a set of 31 inquiries for the citizens to answer.
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