India is Holding a New Census

India’s government is holding a census online and in person. India started the survey in April, and the census is estimated to continue until September. The government holds the survey to gather up-to-date info to decide where money is being spent and where houses should be built.

The last census that India held was in 2011. When the growing country hit a milestone of exceeding China’s population in 2023, the government knew that a census was necessary. The census was named the world’s largest census, as it contains more than one billion people. “This census is crucial – it is the definitive snapshot of India, capturing everything from caste and religion to jobs, education and amenities, and offering the most complete picture of how the population lives,” says Economist Ashwini Deshpande of Ashoka University.

The census surveys 36 states and territories, more that 7000 sub-districts, over 9,700 towns, and nearly 640,000 villages. Local workers called enumerators and supervisors were hired by the government because the locals know the neighborhoods better. The enumerators go door to door interviewing residents. They also use mobile apps to collect and submit data that they gather in their interviews. Supervisors will watch the enumerators to check for any errors. For the first time, the enumerators will fill out an online form.

This census is historic, and the information it yields will be very useful to the Indian government.The census was primarily made to see how money is spent, and where it should be spent.