The first phase of the Census 2027 – specifically the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) – is underway in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Enumerators have received circulars telling them to revisit households, correct "discrepancies," and avoid entries that could portray the government negatively.
Key Developments
- Rajasthan officials issued a directive to district officers to ensure data are recorded using "appropriate" questionnaire options, even if it means assuming the presence of nearby toilets when a household lacks one.
- In Uttar Pradesh, enumerators were cautioned not to present facts as they are, implying a need to modify entries that may reflect poorly on the administration.
- The instructions blur the line between legitimate re‑verification and data manipulation.
Important Facts
- The total outlay for the Census is about ₹11,718 crore, underscoring its scale and importance.
- Accurate data are crucial for allocating funds, designing welfare schemes, and monitoring programmes such as the ODF, ODF Plus, and ODF Plus Model classifications.
- Enumerators, the field workers who collect data, face pressure to alter entries, compromising the credibility of the exercise.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding the Census process is essential for GS Paper 1 (Demography) and GS Paper 2 (Polity) as it influences electoral delimitation, resource allocation, and policy evaluation. The episode highlights issues of data integrity and administrative ethics, topics frequently asked in essay and ethics papers.
Way Forward
- Policymakers must reinforce the independence of enumerators and prohibit any instruction that alters fac