Archive · 7 Jun 2025
Census Opens Door to National Population Register Update
Imagine the government is taking a big survey of everyone who lives in the country, like a headcount.
This is called the Census, and it helps them know how many people live where.
They're also updating something called the NPR, which is like a list of everyone who usually lives in the country.
The government is also deciding if they will use it for the NRC, which is a list of citizens.
Some people were worried about this because they thought it might make it harder for some people to prove they are citizens.
The government says it's important to know who lives where and who is a citizen, but some people still have questions about the process.
The Census, to be conducted in two phases in 2026 and 2027, will open the door for updating the National Population Register (NPR).
The NPR update will likely occur during the house listing phase of the Census next year.
The government has allocated a budget of nearly Rs 4000 crore for the exercise.
The NPR is a precursor to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the rules for it are enshrined in law.
The 2010 NPR data was updated in 2015.
- Who
- The Government.
- What
- The announcement of Census, opens doors to update National Population Register.
- When
- The Census will be conducted in two phases in 2026 and 2027.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To facilitate delimitation, implement the Women’s Reservation Bill, and update the NPR.
Concerns over NPR and NRC
Government's Stance
Citizenship Verification
Concerns over NPR and NRC
Concern over potential exclusion based on citizenship verification.
Government's Stance
The government asserts the importance of verifying citizenship.
- Census Phases
- 2026 and 2027
- Budget Allocated
- Rs 4000 crore
- NRC Amendment Year
- 2003
- NPR Data Collection
- 2010, updated 2015
- NPR Governed By
- Citizenship Act, 1955