NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi-led NDA government is set to begin the long-delayed population census in 2025, with a target for completion by 2026. This will be followed by a nationwide delimitation process for Lok Sabha constituencies, expected to be finished by 2028.A government source told TNIE that preparations are underway to initiate the deccanial census—excluding the caste census—in 2025, aiming to deprive the opposition from raising issues related to it ahead of assembly polls in states like Bihar and others.Sources further hinted that the census was proposed to be started in 2021, but it couldn’t be conducted due to the outbreak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.The country’s last decennial population census was conducted in 2011; thereafter, no census was held, although demands for it continued from various political parties throughout the time. The Congress-led opposition had intensified its criticism of the Modi government, particularly over the issue of a caste census.Sources suggest that a caste census is unlikely, with the government expected to proceed with the national census instead. This census aims to provide data on population growth, development indices, and other factors essential for long-term planning and effective governance. The government is developing a plan to mobilise a large workforce to complete the census within a specified timeframe.”The data on the national census will be in the public domain by 2026 as the census will be conducted in a mission mode,” a senior source in the government remarked, adding that the delimitation process of LS constituencies will follow the national census across the country. Those within the political circles suggest that the delimitation process for Lok Sabha constituencies will increase the number of seats in certain states and adjust the boundaries of existing constituencies based on population distributions.”The delimitation process of Lok Sabha constituencies is all set to be completed a year before the next LS election due in 2029, said a source.
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