Budget 2024-25: Census Allocations Slashed Amidst Delays

The Indian government's Budget 2024-25 has allocated Rs 1,309.46 crore for the census, a reduction from previous years. The census operation, delayed since 2020 due to COVID-19, remains postponed with no new schedule announced. This will be the first digital census with a self-enumeration option via a not-yet-launched portal.

The Indian government's Budget 2024-25 allocated Rs 1,309.46 crore for the census, a significant reduction from the Rs 3,768 crore allocated in 2021-22. This move indicates that the long-delayed census might not occur soon.

Initially approved in December 2019, the census and National Population Register (NPR) updates were set for 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19. The entire exercise, now estimated to cost over Rs 12,000 crore, remains on hold.

With general elections also affecting the timeline, the census won't be carried out in 2024. When it does occur, it will be India's first digital census, allowing citizens to self-enumerate via a dedicated portal, yet to be launched.