00:00India's long-delayed national census is set to commence in 2025, with completion expected
00:20by 2026 marking a significant shift from its original 2021 schedule.
00:26This delay, primarily caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has pushed back the traditional
00:31decennial population count by four years.
00:35The upcoming caste census will bring several notable developments and contentious issues
00:40to the forefront.
00:42According to the media sources, the process will be modernised significantly, with the
00:47Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing a fully digital approach using the mobile data
00:52application, marking a departure from the traditional methods.
00:57This technological advancement aims to streamline the massive data collection effort across
01:02the nation.
01:03A key administrative move supporting this timeline is the extension of Mrityunjay Kumar
01:07Narayan's tenure as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India until August
01:132026, ensuring the continuity in leadership throughout the census period.
01:18The census carries particular significance as it will be followed by a delimitation
01:23of Lok Sabha seats, scheduled for completion by 2028.
01:31This redistricting process will potentially reshape India's political landscape and
01:36electoral boundaries.
01:37This also means that by the next Lok Sabha elections, India's potential Lok Sabha
01:42seat count will increase further.
01:44However, a controversial aspect of the upcoming census is the debate over caste.
01:57Opposition parties, particularly Congress, is now vocally demanding a comprehensive caste
02:02census.
02:03Even today, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the government's stance, raising
02:08the issue of caste census again.
02:11Experts suggest that the 2025 census will include a detailed survey of the sub-sect
02:17within general and SCST categories along with the traditional religious and social class
02:22categorisations.
02:24The last census in 2011 recorded India's population at 120 plus crore with 17.7% population
02:32growth rate.
02:35The upcoming census will indeed provide crucial updated demographic data essential for policymaking
02:41and resource allocation.
02:42In addition, the latest caste census will be done in accordance with the National Population
02:47Register NPR update typically conducted alongside with the census.
02:53It will also be affected by this new timeline.
02:58The government's approach to this massive administrative exercise reflects a balance
03:03between modernisation needs and the social demand while managing political sensitivities
03:08around the caste enumeration.
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