Rajnath reviews Census 2021 preparations

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the blueprint of the preparations for the nationwide census to be held in 2021.

The meeting took place at the Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner here in the national capital on Friday.

Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) Sailesh and other Senior officers of the Office of RGI and Home Ministry were present in the meeting.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the improvements in design and technological interventions be made to ensure that the Census data is finalised within three years of conducting of Census. At the moment, it takes around seven to eight years to release the comprehensive data.

Almost 25 lakh enumerators have been trained and engaged to ensure accurate collection of data in Census 2021.

This census will also witness the collection of data on OBC for the first time. The use of maps/georeferencing at the time of house listing is also being considered to utilised this time.

The Home Minister also emphasised the need of improvement in Civil Registration System especially on registration of birth and death in remote areas along with strengthening of Sample Registration System for appropriate estimation of some of the databases such as Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Ratio, and Fertility Rates.