‘Jurisdictional changes not allowed ahead of Census’, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan urged states to avoid jurisdictional changes until March 31, 2027, due to the upcoming Population Census 2027.
• The directive was issued at a conference with Chief Secretaries, State Census Nodal Officers, and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Key areas of focus included the appointment and training of Census functionaries, use of digital tools, and public awareness campaigns.
• The conference was also attended by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI), Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, and other senior officers.

Detailed Insights:

• The Population Census is a critical decennial exercise providing data on demographics, economic activity, literacy, and housing.
• Jurisdictional changes, such as the creation of new districts or alteration of boundaries, can disrupt the Census process and data collection.
• The use of digital tools, including self-enumeration, aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in the Census 2027.
• Public awareness campaigns are essential to build trust and encourage participation in the Census, ensuring comprehensive data collection.
• Regular reviews of Census activities by Chief Secretaries are crucial for the timely and effective completion of the exercise.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: A complete enumeration of a population, usually taken every ten years.
• Jurisdictional Change: Alteration of administrative boundaries, such as districts or states.
• Self-Enumeration: A method where individuals provide their own information for the census through digital platforms.