On March 1, 2023, India embarked on a massive undertaking to count its vast population of over 1.38 billion people. The exercise, which is expected to take several months to complete, involves a team of over 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors who will visit every household across the country to collect data on various parameters such as population size, age, sex, and other socio-economic characteristics.
“It marked a turning point in our efforts to create a comprehensive database of our population,” said Dr. Arvind Kumar, Director of the Census Operations in New Delhi.
The data collected during this exercise will be used to update the country’s population registry, which was last updated in 2011. The new data will provide valuable insights into the demographic changes that have taken place over the past decade, including changes in population growth rates, urbanization, and migration patterns. According to officials, the exercise will involve the use of mobile apps and other digital technologies to facilitate data collection and processing. The use of technology is expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the data collection process. In the first phase of the exercise, which began on March 1, enumerators will visit every household to collect data on the population size and other basic characteristics. The second phase, which is expected to begin in May, will involve the collection of more detailed data on socio-economic characteristics such as education, occupation, and income. The entire exercise is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, with the final data being released in 2024.
- The exercise involves a team of over 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors.
- The data collected will be used to update the country’s population registry, which was last updated in 2011.
- The exercise will involve the use of mobile apps and other digital technologies to facilitate data collection and processing.
The population count is a significant exercise that will have far-reaching implications for the country’s development planning and policy-making. Facebook posts from the official India Census 2023 page indicate that the exercise has generated significant interest and enthusiasm among citizens, with many sharing their experiences and photographs of enumerators visiting their households. As the exercise progresses, it will be important to watch for any challenges or disruptions that may arise, particularly in areas with difficult terrain or limited access to technology. What happens next will depend on the successful completion of the data collection process and the accuracy of the data collected.
