logo
Centre to officialy notify 16th census on Monday; Amit Shah reviews preparations

Centre to officialy notify 16th census on Monday; Amit Shah reviews preparations

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reviewed the preparation for the forthcoming census with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials here.
India's 16th census with caste enumeration will be carried out in 2027 with the reference date of October 1, 2026 in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and of March 1, 2027 in the rest of the country.
The notification to conduct the census will be published in official gazette on Monday, an official statement said.
The home minister reviewed the preparation for the forthcoming census with the Union home secretary, Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan and other senior officials here, it said.
The census will be conducted in two phases. In phase one i.e. Houselisting Operation (HLO), the housing conditions, assets and amenities of each household will be collected.
Subsequently, in second phase i.e. Population Enumeration (PE), the demographic, socio-economic, cultural and other details of every person in each household will be collected.
In the census, caste enumeration will also be done, the statement said.
For census activities, about 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and around 1.3 lakh census functionaries would be deployed.
This census is the 16th census since beginning and 8th after Independence, the statement said.
The ensuing census will be conducted through digital means using mobile applications. Provision of self-enumeration would also be made available to the people.
Very stringent data security measures would be kept in place to ensure data security at the time of collection, transmission and storage, the statement said.
The reference date for Population Census - 2027 will be 00:00 hours of the first day of March 2027.
For the Union Territory of Ladakh and the non-synchronous snow-bound areas of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be 00.00 hours of the first day of October 2026.
This census will be carried out after 16 years as the last one was done in 2011.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shah's take on English has serious repercussions
Shah's take on English has serious repercussions

Hans India

time12 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Shah's take on English has serious repercussions

This is with reference to the news items "Those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed: Shah'. India's strength lies in its linguistic diversity. By framing English as a foreign language and linking it to shame, Shah's statement fuels the flames of linguistic chauvinism. This spells danger, especially in a country like India where language has been the flashpoint that triggered regional and communal violence in almost every nook and corner. One must forget that English serves as a bridge language in India, including in higher education, business and inter-state communication. Non-Hindi speaking states are likely to see Shah's statement as one more attempt to establish a Hindi-centric identity in the entire country. Shah's controversial statement carries deep political and global implications. P Victor Selvaraj, Tirunelveli- 627002 Unbecoming of Shah A new controversy is likely to start following the statement of Union Hoe Minister Amit Shah on languages, which is a sensitive issue in India where states have come into existence based on language. This is evident from Maharashtra, where a controversy is underway over adoption of Hindi. Shah warned of a day when speakers of English in India would feel ashamed, but the question is why make such a damaging statement, in the firstplace. By all accounts, it is a shameful remark from a leader of Shah's stature. It reeks of prejudice and myopia, elements that knowledgeable politicians ought to shun. English's centrality to the Indian context is undeniable. To make matters worse, he said 'our culture, our history, and our religion cannot be understood in foreign languages. We will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too.' Earlier this month, Shah launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (BBA), or Indian Languages Section, to provide an organised platform for all Indian languages to move towards 'freeing the administration from the influence of foreign languages'. States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have witnessed protests on the imposition of Hindi. The Tamil Nadu government has opposed the three-language formula in the National Educational Policy (NEP) tooth and nail, claiming it was an attempt to bring Hindi to the State 'through the backdoor'. In a country that speaks in many tongues and where linguistic tensions are quite common, English has served as the veritable lingua franca, bridging segments of the population. In this globalised world, English is the bridge that connects India to the world and its economy. Shah's demonisation of English needs to be located within a broader ideological and epistemic thrust. But the spirit of the idea of India - linguistically or otherwise - is a celebration of pluralism and accommodation: English, with its many virtues and uses, has a firm place in the Indian ethos. It is expected that the government will see the pros and cons before implementing ill-conceived initiatives. Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar-144003 Shah's shameful statement It was a shameful statement that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah made during a book launch event in Delhi where he spoke of a time "when those speaking English in the country would feel ashamed". English is one of the global languages and helps to understand our living world, especially in the AI era. When we study in our mother tongue, we understand well. But when we need to exchange what we learned, English is the tool. It may help unite the world but not to lead. Unnikrishnan Mangalasseri, Manjeri PO, Kerala-676121 Union Minister should eat his words Ourministers and senior politicians should always talk using measured words and not in an irresponsible manner (Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed: Shah). English (the lingua franca) is an international language. Undermining its importance in our country is like cutting one's nose to spite one's face. It is widely used in businesses, education and judiciary and provides ample opportunities for global communication as well as career advancements. A good command over English boosts our students' prospects not only in India but also abroad. Amit Shah should eat his own words. Dr Sunil Chopra,Ludhiana Shah's gaffe is regrettable AmitShah's statement that "those who speak English in this country would soon feel ashamed" deserves to be taken with a fistful of salt. English, as we all know, is the aspirational language of India's rising middle class. On that count, regional languages, even Hindi, serve a limited purpose. English is the sine qua non of today's India that has set out to claim its place on the global high table. Even the Prime Minister with his RSS/Hindi background, thought it fit to give English a brief hug while driving home a point about terrorism, and that too in Bihar. Mignon McLaughlin, American journalist and author, had said, "Every American child should grow up knowing a second language, preferably English." And that perhaps holds water for every Indian child living in these times. Amitji, are you listening? Avinash Godboley, Dewas (MP)

Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?
Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?

The Hindu

time28 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?

Every year, thousands of Indian students pursue higher education abroad, with the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia being among the top choices. According to data from the Ministry of Education, the number of Indian students studying overseas increased by 52.2% over five years; from 586,337 in 2019 to 892,989 in 2023. This is due to several factors: the perception of receiving a globally recognised, high-quality education at top-ranked universities; access to cutting-edge research facilities; improved career prospects; international exposure; better job opportunities and higher salaries; a superior quality of life; and relatively smoother immigration processes. Studies indicate that over 75% of Indian students who study abroad intend to work and settle in their host countries, with only a small fraction planning to return to India. This suggests that such students have already considered critical questions such as: What are the advantages of earning a degree from a foreign university? What career opportunities will it open up? New questions Now, with some foreign universities setting up campuses in India, aspiring students are beginning to ask a new set of questions: What are the benefits of earning a degree from an international university's Indian campus? Is it as valuable as studying at the main campus abroad? Will it offer the same academic experience and career prospects? The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 supports the establishment of independent campuses by foreign universities in India and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced that 15 international universities will set up campuses in the country during the current academic year. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to some institutions, including the University of Liverpool and to the University of Aberdeen to set up branch campuses in Bangalore and Mumbai respectively. According to the specified guidelines, foreign universities seeking entry into India must rank among the top 500 globally, demonstrate subject-specific expertise, and be duly recognised in their home countries to offer academic and research programmes. They will have autonomy in designing their curriculum, managing admissions, setting fee structures and are authorised to award internationally recognised degrees. Foreign universities stand to gain significantly by entering the Indian education sector as they can expand their global footprint, enjoy academic and administrative autonomy, and offer international degrees within India. The presence of top-ranked foreign university campuses in India is also expected to bring several advantages to the country. It can introduce world-class education; help raise domestic academic standards to global levels and promote knowledge exchange. Participation in conferences organised by these institutions can provide Indian scholars with valuable exposure and enriching learning experiences. Moreover, Indian students will be able to earn foreign degrees without going abroad, thereby helping retain talent within the country. Local needs and priorities But one must also ask: who are the actual beneficiaries? Will these branch campuses cater exclusively to the elite? Will academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to gain admission? In a country where millions of young people struggle to access higher education — or are unable to pursue it due to financial constraints — this initiative risks neglecting local needs and priorities. With regard to bringing world-class education to India, any foreign university setting up a campus here is primarily driven by monetary interests, and the focus is likely to be on profit rather than academic excellence. This opens the door to the commercialisation of education, reducing it to a commodity rather than upholding it as a service. Foreign university branch campuses in India risk becoming symbols of elitism rather than instruments of equality or social justice. A truly vibrant campus is one that embraces equality, upholds social justice, and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness. On a typical Indian campus, students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds come together, interact, and learn from one another. This environment helps everyone become sensitive to the needs of one another and empathetic. A foreign campus in India is unlikely to foster or reflect this kind of inclusive environment. Introducing foreign university campuses should lead to reforms in the education sector, not widen inequality. It is misguided to claim that graduates from foreign university campuses in India will help reduce brain drain. On the contrary, a degree from a foreign university can serve as a stepping stone and increase the chances for those who aspire to work abroad. If the purpose of inviting foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India is to bring world-class education, develop global citizens, and transform the country into a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, the focus must be on addressing local needs, particularly by enabling economically and socially disadvantaged groups to access higher education and by improving the overall quality of education. That is what will lead to true transformation. Let us not forget: all that glitters is not gold. The writer is an ELT resource person and education columnist. Email: rayanal@

Visakhapatnam sets world record on International Day of Yoga; 3 lakh perform yoga along 28km beach road
Visakhapatnam sets world record on International Day of Yoga; 3 lakh perform yoga along 28km beach road

India Gazette

timean hour ago

  • India Gazette

Visakhapatnam sets world record on International Day of Yoga; 3 lakh perform yoga along 28km beach road

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 22 (ANI): A new Guinness World Record was set on the 11th International Day of Yoga for the largest gathering for a Yoga session in one place in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Saturday. Around three lakh people participated in the event, which was organised on a 28-kilometre stretch from RK Beach to Bheemili in the presence of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, the Ministry of Ayush wrote, 'Main event of IDY 2025 sets Guinness World Record in Visakhapatnam. With an estimated 3 lakh participants, the grand celebration along the 28 km beach road--from RK Beach to Bheemili--and across various parts of Visakhapatnam marked the world's largest gathering for a yoga session at a single venue.' 'Led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the event was part of the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative, synchronised across 13 lakh+ locations nationwide. A historic morning for yoga and India's global wellness leadership,' it added. Addressing the world's largest-ever yoga gathering, the Prime Minister joined thousands of participants from India and abroad for a historic yoga session by the sea, the Ministry of AYUSH said in a release. As per the release, in the national event, PM Modi was joined by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Abdul Nazeer, and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu. Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush and MoS for Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Prataprao Jadhav were also present alongside Union Minister of State Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan Garu and State Cabinet Minister Nara Lokesh Garu were also present. Extending warm greetings to people across India and the world on International Day of Yoga, the Prime Minister highlighted that this year marks the 11th occasion when the world has come together on 21st June to practice yoga collectively. He remarked that the essence of yoga is 'to unite', and it is heartening to see how yoga has united the world. Reflecting on the journey of Yoga over the past decade, PM Modi recalled the moment when India proposed the idea of International Yoga Day at the United Nations. He noted that 175 countries supported the proposal, a rare instance of such wide global unity. He emphasised that the support was not merely for a proposal but represented a collective effort by the world for the greater good of humanity. 'Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe', he added. The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing how Divyang individuals are reading yogic texts in Braille and how scientists are practicing yoga in space. He also noted enthusiastic participation of youth from rural areas in Yoga Olympiads. PM Modi underscored that whether it is the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the summit of Mount Everest, or the vast expanse of the ocean, the message remains the same,'Yoga is for everyone and for all, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.' The Prime Minister expressed his delight at being in Visakhapatnam, describing it as a vibrant blend of natural beauty and modern progress. Highlighting that more than two crore people have taken part in the Yogandhra Abhiyan, the Prime Minister said that this overwhelming public response reflects the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, which forms the foundation of a Viksit Bharat. He emphasised that when citizens take ownership of national missions, no goal is too ambitious. The energy, commitment, and goodwill of the people were clearly evident throughout the celebrations in Visakhapatnam. In his welcome speech, Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said that 'the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji initiated the unprecedented step of getting a resolution passed at the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. This initiative has now transformed into a global public health movement celebrated in over 180 countries.' Prataprao Jadhav added that after completing a decade of this movement, 'we have launched 10 Signature Events this year. These include Harit Yoga (Green Yoga) with tree plantation, Yoga Connect, Yoga Parks, Yoga Bandhan, Yoga Mahakumbh, and Yoga Sangam, being celebrated by over 10 lakh (1 million) organisations across the country.' Congratulating the Andhra Pradesh Government, the Union Ayush Minister stated that 'under the leadership of the Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu, a 'YogAndhra Abhiyan' was launched in Andhra Pradesh on May 21. As part of this campaign, more than 22,000 tribal students performed 12 rounds of Surya Namaskar in 15 minutes yesterday, entering their names into the Guinness Book of World Records.' He further said that inspired by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Ayush has taken a small initiative to promote healthy food among the public, and today, at 70 locations in Delhi, the ministry was distributing Ayush Aahar (Ayush Diet) to all participants of this IDY programme. 'This Ayush Aahar is based on Moringa-based food products, and will emerge as a healthy and tasty food alternative for the people,' he said. Thanking the Prime Minister for granting Andhra Pradesh the honour to host this historic event, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh marked the 11th International Yoga Day with unprecedented enthusiasm as over 3 lakh citizens gathered in Visakhapatnam for a mass yoga demonstration. 'The event concluded with the successful month-long Yogandhra campaign that engaged 2.17 crore participants statewide, creating several records,' he said. (ANI)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store