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Context:

Census is an important exercise that helps in collecting demographic data about the population.

Census 

In India, the census was started in 1872 under British Viceroy Lord Mayo, but the first complete census was conducted in 1881 under Lord Ripon. And since, Census has been undertaken every 10 years; in 2011 the Census of India was conducted for the 15th time.

The Census is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

All the censuses since 1951 were conducted under the 1948 Census of India Act. The last census was held in 2011. 

The 16th census was scheduled for 2021, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now,  the government is planning to conduct the census in 2025. 

How is the Census conducted?

The census process involves two major steps:

1. House listing and numbering occurs in the year before the actual census. It involves listing all the households and assigning them a unique identification number.
2. Actual Demographic data collection process starts.

How is the Census linked to delimitation? 

Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and state assembly constituencies based on the latest census data. 

According to article 82 of the Constitution, delimitations should occur after every census to ensure fair representation of the population in the governance. 

The last delimitation was conducted in 2000, after that, there has been a suspension of this exercise due to political disagreements. 

The 84th constitutional amendment highlights that the next delimitation can only occur based on the census conducted after 2026, which means that even if the census is completed by 2026, delimitation might not happen immediately because of this amendment. 

How is the Census linked to Women Reservation?

The Parliament has approved the 106th Constitution amendment act to reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and State legislative Assemblies, however, this reservation will only come into effect after the delimitation process, which will be conducted after the next census. 

The delay in conducting the census is delaying the delimitation and the implementation of the women's reservation.

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Census

DELIMITATION EXERCISE

DELIMITATION EXERCISE

WOMEN’S RESERVATION

SCHEDULED CASTE SCHEDULED TRIBE (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT 1989

SIXTEENTH FINANCE COMMISSION

Source: 

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements: 1. The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act deals with women's reservation in Lok Sabha. 2. The Delimitation Commission has been constituted four times since independence.  Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2  Answer:  C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The 106th Amendment Act was passed in 2023. This amendment provided 33% women's reservation in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Statement 2 is correct:  Delimitation commissions have been set up four times in the past — 1953, 1962, 1972 and 2002 — under Delimitation Commission Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.