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Census 2027: Statistics and Statecraft
The history of the Indian census questionnaire is, in many ways, the history of the Indian state itself. Its changing questions have mirrored not only the country’s developmental trajectory but also the political priorities and anxieties of the governments that framed them.”
Context
The population enumeration phase of Census 2027 is set to begin, introducing 13 new or modified questions compared to the 2011 Census. The updated questionnaire includes details regarding parents' birthplaces, which has sparked political debate due to similarities with the controversial (NPR) schedule notified in 2020. The article highlights the census as a reflection of state priorities and anxieties rather than a purely neutral statistical exercise.
Exam Perspectives
Key References
AI-generated study notes · sourced from The Hindu