Why in news
- The Ministry of Home Affairs deferred census operations in Manipur following ethnic divisions and High Court orders.
- Civil society groups are divided over whether a National Register of Citizens (NRC) update should precede the decennial population count.
What is the Census framework in India?
- Conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Provides statutory demographic data used for delimitation, policy targeting, and constitutional reservations.
Core conflict in Manipur
- Meitei and Naga groups demand an NRC update prior to the census to identify illegal immigrants and prevent their statistical legitimisation.
- Kuki-Zo organisations oppose an immediate NRC exercise citing ongoing displacement and administrative bias during ethnic conflict.
Why it matters
- Demonstrates how demographic exercises intersect with ethnic identity, border security, and state-level political stability.
- Highlights constitutional friction between central statistical duties under Union List Entry 69 and local internal security conditions.
Key terms
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
An official register containing names of all genuine Indian citizens as defined under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Decennial Census
A statutory ten-year national survey quantifying population statistics, demographics, and socio-economic indicators.
Prelims facts
- Census is a Union subject under Schedule VII Entry 69 conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
Mains discussion
- Examine the policy challenges of conducting statutory demographic surveys in conflict-affected border states.
Source: Economic Times
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2023 · Q10 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to India's projects on connectivity, consider the following statements: 1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat. 2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar. 3. Bangladesh-China- India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China. How many of the above statements are correct? -
2016 · Q13 · GS II · 12 marks
Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change? -
2015 · Q27 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?