Recently, the office of Registrar General of India (RGI) has
extended the deadline of freezing of administrative boundaries to June 30,
2023 citing the on-going COVID pandemic.
Key Highlights
The decadal Census-2021 has been postponed multiple times from the
original schedule.
The RGI cited that the Census will delay further due to 2024 Lok
Sabha elections.
As per Rule 8(iv) of Census Rules, 1990, the boundaries of the
administrative units are frozen by the Census Commissioner.
Census can be conducted only three months after freezing of boundary
limits.
Since boundaries are frozen till June, the 2023 Census can start in
October 2023.
After the start two phases will take about 11 months, impacting
elections.
Census 2021 is the only time it has delayed, regular Census every 10
years since 1881.
Census Process
Two phase process-
House listing and Housing Census- Also preparation of National
Population Register.
Population Enumeration- Detailing of every individual takes place.
Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner
of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
National Population Register (NPR): a register of all usual
residents of the country (citizens and non-citizens).
First compiled in 2010 and updated in 2015.
Prepared under provisions of Citizenship Act 1955 and Rules,
2003.
