India’s Population Survey Begins
More than 3 million Indian officials are set to begin a year-long task of counting every single person in India, the world’s most populous nation. The once-in-a-decade population survey, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to start on April 1.
With over 1.4 billion people, India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous country, according to the United Nations Population Fund. Analysts and economists do not see this demographic size as a cause for concern.
The census will also collect data on castes, which is a rigid social stratification system that dates back thousands of years and influences Indian life and politics. There are numerous caste-based political parties and state institutions must offer affirmative action quotas to the lower castes in employment and college places.
Supporters argue for accurate data on those eligible for government assistance, while critics believe caste has no place in a country striving to become a major world power. The census is expected to conclude next March, with several digital datasets released soon after.