Census 2027 to retain urban area definition of previous count in 2011 , Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Census 2027 will maintain the 2011 Census definition of an urban area to ensure uniformity in comparing urbanization trends.
• In 2011, an urban unit was defined as having a minimum population of 5,000, a density of 400 persons per sq. km, and 75% of the male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits.
• As per the 2011 Census, 68.8% of Indians lived in rural areas, while 31.2% resided in urban areas.
• There were 6,40,867 villages and 15,870 urban units in India in 2011.
• Administrative boundaries across the country will be frozen on January 1, 2026, before the first phase of Census 2027, which starts on April 1, 2026.

Detailed Insights:

• The decision to retain the 2011 definition ensures consistent data for analyzing urbanization patterns over time.
• Statutory towns will be counted as they exist on January 1, 2026, for the 2027 Census.
• Villages with a population of 4,000 or more in Census 2011 will be examined for potential classification as urban units in Census 2027.
• The Registrar-General of India communicated these guidelines to the States’ Directorates of Census Operations on August 14.
• The first task for DCOs is to demarcate rural and urban areas by updating lists of villages and towns, incorporating jurisdictional changes up to December 31, 2025.
• In 1951, the percentage of urban areas in India was 17.3%, highlighting the significant urban growth over the decades.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census Town: Villages meeting specific demographic criteria to be classified as urban, despite not being statutory towns.
• Statutory Town: Areas with a defined urban local body like municipal corporation, cantonment board, or nagar palika.
• Urbanization: The process of an increasing proportion of a population living in urban areas.