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India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Wait for census over as Modi government issues 2027 Census notification, J&K and Ladakh will be...,caste data will be...
Census In India- File image New Delhi: In a significant development for the country, the Union Home Ministry led by Amit Shah issued the official notification for conducting the population census in the country. Most importantly, the 2027 Census will include humongous data collection, including the caste details, will be conducted in two phases, where the first phase will cover the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and two hilly states — Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand — beginning on October 1, 2026 and the second phase will start on March 1, 2027. Home Ministry notification As per a report carried by IANS news agency, the Home Ministry notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), said, 'A census of the population shall be undertaken during the year 2027. Reference date for 2027 India Census The report also talks about the reference date of the census will shall be 00.00 hours of March 1, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 'In respect of the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of October 1, 2026,' it added. 2027 Census and Caste Data Notably, this is the first time that caste enumeration will be made part of the mammoth Census exercise. The Centre, in a recent cabinet meeting, had given clearance for caste enumeration in the Census, reasoning that it would enable the Central government to frame policies with better precision and also make it target-oriented. Congress vs BJP on Caste Census The green light for caste-based Census also stirred political fight as the Congress claimed that the Modi government was forced to include its idea of social justice and social empowerment. (With inputs from agencies)
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Census: Indian govt notifies conducting population count from March 1, 2027
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday notified that the next census of India will be conducted in 2027. ADVERTISEMENT The official gazette, issued on June 16, 2025, said that the census will take place under the powers conferred by section 3 of the Census Act, 1948. According to the notification, the reference date for the census is set at 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027. However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be 00:00 hours on October 1, 2026. This follows the earlier notification issued in 2019 and published in the Gazette of India, which had set the framework for the 2021 census but was later deferred. Also Read: Census data to be ready within nine months? Govt bets on tech to speed up 2027 exercise Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming census with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials. According to the Home Ministry, India's 16th census since inception and 8th since Independence will be carried out soon. ADVERTISEMENT The census will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the Houselisting Operation (HLO), data related to housing conditions, assets, and household amenities will be collected. In the second phase, the Population Enumeration (PE), details on demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other aspects of every person will be gathered. ADVERTISEMENT Also Read: Day after PM lauds caste census decision, Cong takes swipe at him with two videos The Home Ministry stated that caste enumeration will also be carried out during the census. For the operations, approximately 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors along with around 1.3 lakh census functionaries will be deployed. ADVERTISEMENT The upcoming census will be conducted digitally using mobile applications. A self-enumeration option will also be made available. The ministry added that strict data security measures will be in place during data collection, transmission, and storage. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Amit Shah Reviews Preparations For Census 2025; Over 24 Lakh Officials To Be Deployed For Survey
Last Updated: The notification to conduct the Census will be published in the official gazette on June 16, the Home Ministry said in an official statement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a review meeting on Sunday in New Delhi with senior officials to assess the preparations for the upcoming Census. The notification to conduct the Census will be published in the official gazette on June 16, the Home Ministry said in an official statement. Shah was accompanied by the Union Home Secretary, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, and other senior officials to assess the preparations for Census 2025. This year's Census, the 16th overall and the eighth post-independence, will be conducted in two different phases. Houselisting Operation (HLO) – Gathering data on housing conditions, assets, and amenities of households. Population Enumeration (PE) – Collecting demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other details of every individual, including caste enumeration. Over 34 Lakh Officials To Be Deployed To carry out the population survey activities, an estimated 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors along with approximately 1.3 lakh Census functionaries will be deployed. The upcoming Census will be carried out digitally using mobile applications, with an option for citizens to self-enumerate also being provided. The last census conducted in India was the 2011 Census, which was the 15th national census since 1872 and the 7th after Independence. The census process was conducted in two phases: the House Listing and Housing Census and the Population Enumeration, covering over 1.2 billion people. Key findings included a population growth rate of 17.7 per cent from 2001 to 2011, a literacy rate of 74 per cent, and a sex ratio of 943 females per 1000 males. The next census was scheduled for 2021, however, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making 2011 the most recent official population data available as of now. First Published: June 15, 2025, 21:20 IST
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
India's Agniveer Advantage: Building A National Defence Reserve For A Long War
Last Updated: Critics have viewed Agnipath through a narrow financial and personnel lens. Operation Sindoor forces us to look beyond that When the Agnipath scheme was announced, the national conversation was dominated by debates on pensions, tenure, and the future of a younger, leaner military. While these are valid concerns, they have obscured a strategic reality already unfolding: the creation of a vast, disciplined, and technologically adept civilian reserve, a latent army so to say, which is poised to become the bedrock of India's whole-of-society defence doctrine. The proof of concept has been demonstrated with the resounding success of Operation Sindoor. When faced with Pakistan's drone and missile blitz against key Indian assets, the military's masterstroke was not just its frontline response, but its activation of a new, potent layer of defence. Over 3,000 Agniveers, many in their initial years of service, were at the forefront, seamlessly operating the very air defence systems that blunted the enemy assault and protected our critical infrastructure. Operation Sindoor was a validation of the Agnipath model in real-world combat. It proved that young recruits, given intensive, modern training, can be entrusted with sophisticated platforms under immense pressure. But the operation's true strategic lesson lies in projecting this success forward. What happens when thousands of such Agniveers complete their four-year tenures and return to civilian life? We are left with a battle-hardened cohort—a civilian reserve that has already proven its mettle under fire. This is the core genius of Agnipath. The scheme is not merely a recruitment reform, but the foundation of a new Indian approach to national security, which seeks to embed military-grade skills and discipline deep within our civilian fabric. Every year, thousands of Agniveers will re-enter society not just as ex-soldiers, but as a repository of what can be termed 'dual-use human capital'. This creates a powerful strategic buffer, transforming our society into a force multiplier for the nation's war preparedness. In a future prolonged conflict, these Agniveers could be rapidly recalled, requiring minimal re-training to man secondary defence lines, operate logistics hubs, or secure vital installations, freeing up frontline troops for offensive action. The applications in a hybrid warfare context are immense. This trained cohort can be rapidly deputised for a spectrum of critical roles. The efficiency of disaster response during tragedies will be transformed with ex-Agniveers leading local relief efforts, their training in logistics, first-aid, and operating under pressure making them invaluable assets for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). In times of internal strife, the Home Ministry can tap into this pool for disciplined manpower to assist in maintaining order, all with a foundational understanding of the chain of command. Furthermore, Agnipath directly addresses a critical vulnerability in our defence ecosystem: the wartime production surge. A prolonged conflict would demand a massive ramp-up in our military-industrial complex. Instead of relying on a small pool of retired servicemen or expensive foreign technicians, India will have a ready reservoir of ex-Agniveers trained in logistics, maintenance, and technical systems. These individuals can be redirected to support ordnance factories and defence PSUs, drastically reducing the time needed to scale up production and bolstering our 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission when it matters most. Crucially, the Agniveer of today is not the conscript of yesterday. Their four-year tenure is an intensive immersion in cutting-edge military technology. They are not just learning to fire a rifle; they are operating AI-assisted targeting pods, flying reconnaissance drones, and managing the sophisticated AD radars used in Operation Sindoor. These are precisely the skills that define 21st-century conflict. When these Agniveers enter civilian life, they bring these future-ready skills with them. An ex-Agniveer who spent two years in an electronic warfare unit, for instance, could be a prime candidate for a cybersecurity role. A technician who maintained drone fleets is perfectly suited for the burgeoning domestic drone industry or for counter-drone security units in state police forces. Their experience directly feeds India's capabilities in the critical domains of space, cyber, and information warfare, creating a talent pipeline that money alone cannot buy. Beyond these hard skills, the civic spill-over effect cannot be overstated. A population with even a small percentage exposed to national service is inherently more mentally resilient, physically fit, and motivated to serve the nation. In high-risk border states, the presence of thousands of disciplined and patriotic Agniveers can transform local communities. Their seamless absorption into state police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence support units with minimal training lag will strengthen our internal security architecture from the ground up. Critics have viewed Agnipath through a narrow financial and personnel lens. Operation Sindoor forces us to look beyond that. It has shown us what is possible. The scheme is a bold, long-term investment in national resilience that is already paying dividends. It is forging a new compact between the citizen and the state, creating a civilian shield that is disciplined, technologically skilled, and ever-ready. This is the scheme's true strategic depth, and it will define India's security posture for the next century. Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 14, 2025, 11:33 IST News opinion Opinion | India's Agniveer Advantage: Building A National Defence Reserve For A Long War
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Police co-op may be granted development projects
PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysia Police Cooperative may be given the opportunity to carry out physical development projects under the Home Ministry, subject to its governance performance and compliance with financial procedures. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the proposal was made following a policy announcement by the prime minister, who in principle supported the idea of allowing the cooperative to participate in certain infrastructure works under the ministry's development expenditure. 'These are primarily physical development projects such as the construction and upgrading of state and district police headquarters.' Among the projects identified were the replacement of the ageing state police headquarters in Kelantan, Perak and Penang as well as new district police headquarters in Wangsa Maju, Kapit and Padang Besar. 'Projects under the Home Ministry typically involve agencies such as the Public Works Department or PBLT Sdn Bhd. 'But if the cooperative demonstrates good governance, competence and the ability to deliver projects at a reasonable cost, then the prime minister is open to considering them as an implementation partner,' he said at a media conference during the 90th Annual General Delegates Meeting of the Royal Malaysian Police Cooperative. 'This is not a direct award. All financial rules still apply. But the prime minister's confidence is based on the belief that if cooperatives are given space, the benefit will be returned to over 100,000 of their members.' Saifuddin added that police infrastructure projects remain a priority under the Home Ministry's development budget, which is the third largest after the Education and Health ministries. He said any proposal by the cooperative to take part in such projects must still undergo the due process of project bidding and review by the Economy Ministry. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, who also spoke at the event, said the cooperative's financial performance has remained strong, allowing it to declare its highest dividend payout to date. It recorded a profit of RM50.14 million in 2023, with total membership reaching 119,920, up from 114,000 the previous year. 'Share capital increased to RM586.6 million and our total assets as of January 2024 stood at RM1.134 billion.' Razarudin said the cooperative would distribute RM36.14 million in dividends, translating to 58% on share capital and 9.2% on sales capital, the highest distribution recorded by it to date.
