2.8. CENSUS OF INDIA AND NSSO

There are some agencies both at the national and state level to collect, process and tabulate the statistical data. Some of the agencies at the national level are Census of India, National Sample Survey (NSS), Central Statistics Office (CSO), Registrar General of India (RGI), Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Labour Bureau, etc.

The Census of India is conducted every ten years and serves as a significant agency for collecting demographic information about the population. This information includes aspects such as population size, composition, literacy, and migration. Multiple agencies, including the Census of India, work together to gather and provide various statistical data necessary for understanding social and economic conditions.

Imagine if a school wanted to understand the performance of its students across different classes. Instead of asking every student to take a test, the school could send out surveys or have certain classes tested to obtain a general idea of how students are performing overall. Similarly, the Census works to gather essential information from the entire country to understand its demographic profile better.

The Census provides the most complete and continuous demographic record of population. The Census is being regularly conducted every ten years since 1881. The first Census after Independence was conducted in 1951. The Census officials collect information on various aspects of population such as the size, density, sex ratio, literacy, migration, rural-urban distribution, etc.

Since its inception, the Census of India has developed a comprehensive database on the population. Each household is surveyed every ten years, and officials gather information on several demographic variables. This data reflects how many people live in various regions, their educational levels, employment status, and other crucial metrics that inform government policies and planning.

Think of the Census as a check-up for the nation. Just as a doctor would ask about your health history, daily habits, and any changes you've experienced to assess your overall health, the Census collects vital data from households to monitor how the country's demographic health is changing over time.

The NSS was established by the Government of India to conduct nation-wide surveys on socio-economic issues. The NSS does continuous surveys in successive rounds. The data collected by NSS are released through reports and its quarterly journal Sarvekshana.

The NSS functions alongside the Census to gather detailed socio-economic data, focusing on various aspects like consumer expenditure, employment, and healthcare issues. Unlike the Census, which is a comprehensive count, the NSS provides periodic insights through smaller surveys that help in understanding specific issues affecting the population at different times.

Think of the NSS as a research team interested in a particular aspect of the nation, like how people spend their money. Instead of counting everyone precisely, they select a few households to ask about their spending habits to draft a report that highlights trends, helping the government understand how to better meet the public's needs.

The Census data is interpreted and analysed to understand many economic and social issues in India. Similarly, NSS provides periodic estimates of literacy, school enrolment, utilisation of educational services, employment, unemployment, manufacturing and service sector activities, morbidity, maternity, child care, and the utilisation of the public distribution system.

Both the Census and NSS data are crucial for governmental planning and policy-making. The data helps in allocating resources, designing programs, and measuring impacts of various initiatives. Understanding the demographic dynamics allows for better-targeted help where it is most needed, whether that be in education, health, or economic development.

If you were planning a birthday party for your friends, you would want to know who is available, their interests, and how many people to expect. Similarly, the Census and NSS data help the government know how many people need help with education or health services, so they can effectively plan and allocate their efforts, just like a party planner would make arrangements based on the guest list.

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