Census and other data collection systems in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253315Keywords:
Census, National Family Health Survey, National sample survey, Sample registration systemAbstract
The census of India plays a vital role in the collection of accurate and reliable data from all over India. This further helps in the conduction of surveys during the interim period for various purposes. Relevant searches for articles were made on search engines like PubMed, Google Scholar etc. on the census while relevant policy documents on the census and other national level surveys were reviewed. The authors found that the census collects data not just on the Indian citizenry, it serves as the framework for almost all the national level surveys conducted across India. This enables the triangulation of data collected from these various sources. Further, the census is vital in the conduction of various activities of the nation like administration, business, research, planning and policymaking. The authors conclude that conduction of the census is an essential activity for the functioning of a nation. The association of the census with the various other surveys in the country helps increase their robustness.
Metrics
References
West Bengal Census Website. Available at: https://westbengal.census.gov.in/History_of_Census.php. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Population and Basic Statistics at the Local Level Government of India. Available at: https://mospi.gov. in/92-population-and-basic-statistics-local-level. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
New India’s Policies from Old India’s Data: The 16th Census Delay. Available at: https://sprf.in/new-indias-policies-from-old-indias-data-the-16th-census -delay-and-its-impact/. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Wesolowski A, Buckee CO, Pindolia DK, Eagle N, Smith DL, Garcia AJ, et al. The Use of Census Migration Data to Approximate Human Movement Patterns across Temporal Scales. PLoS One. 2023;8(1):e52971. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052971
Sekhar AC. Census of India 1971 series 1 India paper 1 of 1972 final population. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (India). 1972;160.
South China Morning Post. India risks using ‘guesswork’ to form policy, with census delayed as election looms. Available at: https://www.scmp .com/week-asia/people/article/3221581/india-risks-using-guesswork-form-policy-census-delayed-election-looms. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Wilson RT, Hasanali SH, Sheikh M, Cramer S, Weinberg G, Firth A, et al. Challenges to the census: international trends and a need to consider public health benefits. Public Health. 2017;151:87-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2017.05.015
Ghosh K. Why we don’t get doctors for rural medical service in India? Natl Med J India. 2018;31(1):44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-258X.243416
Gupta N, Zurn P, Diallo K, Dal Poz MR. Uses of population census data for monitoring geographical imbalance in the health workforce: Snapshots from three developing countries. Int J Equity Health. 2003;2(1):1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-2-11
Colwill M, Poullis A. Using national census data to facilitate healthcare research. World J Methodol. 2023;13(5):414-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v13.i5.414
Census Delay: Impact on India’s Welfare and Governance. Available at: https://www.Indian currents.org/article-census-delay-impact-on-indias-welfare-and-governance-dr-john-singarayar-2273.php. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Business Standard. Making sense of the census: Do young marketing execs grasp its importance? Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/ opinion/columns/making-sense-of-census-do-young-marketing-executives-grasp-its-importance-124112201352_1. html. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
The Print. Decade without data – Why India is delaying Census when US, UK, China went ahead during Covid. Available at: https://theprint.in/ opinion/decade-without-data-why-india-is-delaying-census-when-us-uk-china-went-ahead-during-covid/954383 /. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Reuters. Delay in India’s census hurting quality of survey reports, says official. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/delay-indias-census-hurting-quality-survey-reports-says-official-2023-07-19/. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Docherty B. Using triangulation in health services research. Prof Nurse. 2000;16:926-7.
Government of India. The Registration of births and deaths act, 1969. 1969.
Government of India. About Us | Civil Registration System. Available at: https://dc.crsorgi. gov.in/crs/ about. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Joshi V. Sample Registration System statistical report 2020. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner (India). 2022;142.
National Family Health Survey 5th round Volume I. Available at: http://www.rchiips.org/nfhs. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (India). Guidelines – Urban frame survey. New Delhi. 2017;5.
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya releases NFHS-5 report. Available at: https://www. pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1823047. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
MOSPI. National Sample Survey (NSS) Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Available at: https://www.mospi.gov.in/national-sample-survey-nss. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Training of NSS for socio-economic 80th round under health and education survey kickstarts. Available at: https://www.pib.gov.in/Press ReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120281. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
The Hindu. NSS 80th round Socio-Economic Survey from Jan 1, 2025. Available at: https://www.the hindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/nss-80th-round-socio-economic-survey-from-jan-1-2025/article6898 2955.ece. Accessed on 02 August 2025.
Joshi V. Vital statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System 2020. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner (India). 2022;142.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
