States to Track Census Data Collection in Real Time, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) has directed states to track Census 2027 data collection in real-time.
• This will be India's first digital census, with enumerators recording data via a mobile application.
• The Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) will serve as the central platform for planning, monitoring, and supervision.
• The real-time tracking aims to identify and address data quality issues, operational bottlenecks, and coverage gaps promptly.
• The population enumeration phase will begin on December 1 in some states and January 25 for the rest of the country.

Detailed Insights:

• The transition from traditional paper schedules to digital data collection represents a significant modernization of the census process.
• The CMMS will provide comprehensive oversight, including the deployment of field functionaries and resolution of issues during enumeration.
• Real-time monitoring capabilities will enable targeted supervisory interventions and enhance coordination across various administrative levels.
• Around 34 lakh enumerators, predominantly government school teachers, are expected to be deployed for the extensive exercise.
• The legal framework for conducting the decennial census in India is provided by the Census Act, 1948.
• The previous census was conducted in 2011, with the 2021 census being delayed due to various factors.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: A decennial official count or survey of a population, typically recording details of individuals.
• Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI): The authority responsible for conducting the decennial census and demographic surveys in India.
• Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS): A digital platform designed for planning, monitoring, and managing the entire census operation.