Why in News?
The upcoming Census 2026–27, to be conducted in two phases, is set to support
several major constitutional processes such as:
- Delimitation of constituencies, and
- Implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
In addition, this Census may lead to the updating of the National Population
Register (NPR), which could potentially lay the foundation for a future
National Register of Citizens (NRC).
🔍 Key Highlights
🗓️ Beyond Counting Heads: Broader Impacts
The Census will not only provide demographic data but will also aid in
delimiting electoral boundaries and executing 33% reservation for
women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
The house listing phase is expected to serve as the stage for updating NPR
records.
However, no official statement has been made regarding an NRC rollout at
this point.
🧠 Understanding NPR & NRC
⚖️ Legal Foundation
Governed under the Citizenship Rules, 2003, made under Section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The NPR is legally seen as a precursor to the NRC.
🧾 Key Provisions in the Rules
- Rule 3(4): Empowers the central government to create a population register.
- Rule 3(5): NRC will be developed based on verified NPR data.
- Rule 4(4): Authorities can mark individuals with “doubtful citizenship.”
- Rules 7 & 17: Individuals must submit correct information, or face a penalty of up to ₹1,000.
🕰️ Historical Background
- NPR was first compiled in 2010 and updated in 2015.
- Though initially sidelined in favour of Aadhaar, NPR was revived in 2019, with digitisation of existing data.
- A budget of ₹4,000 crore was allocated for NPR and Census activities by the Union Cabinet in 2019, but the plans were
postponed due to COVID-19.
🚨 Political Context & Controversy
- The NPR-NRC-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) triad triggered massive protests across the country in 2019–20.
- Over 10 states and 2 UTs passed resolutions opposing NPR/NRC.
- Public anxiety peaked after 19 lakh people were excluded from Assam’s NRC list.
- Union Home Minister’s statements linking CAA to NRC further fueled fears, though later both PM Modi and the Home
Ministry clarified that no final decision on nationwide NRC had been taken.
📘 Legal Provisions for NRC
- Section 14A of the Citizenship Act (added in 2003) authorises the compulsory registration of every Indian citizen and
issuing of national identity cards. - The Registrar General of India has been designated as the National Registration Authority under this section.