What is a 'Census'? Discuss the importance of Census for the economy and policy making.

Census is a decadal assessment of data collection based on various demographic parameters to attain the status of the population. Census is divided into three main components: 1. Demographic sensutic - population 2. Socio-Economic data (education levels) 3. Decadal exercise and nation-wide scale Importance of Census: (1) For the Economy a Assessment of prevailing unemployment rates. b Assessment of female empowerment and policy deployment. (2) For policy making a Data driven policy making. b Targeting beneficiaries through MNREGA and other schemes. c Culture, social justice and reduced leakages. However challenges remain: (1) Decadal census - need for real time data. (2) Delayed census exercise - delayed due to COVID. (3) Training of staff and availability of data. (4) SLCC data use not visible, therefore a robust plan for census survey would lead to data-driven public policy and economic growth.

c Data driven economic services - Adoption of proper targets of fiscal governance. (2) Br the policy making a Data driven policy making. b Targeting beneficiaries through MNREGA and other schemes. c Culture, social justice and reduced leakages. However challenges remain: (1) Decadal census - need for real time data. (2) Delayed census exercise - delayed due to COVID. (3) Training of staff and availability of data. (4) SLCC data use not visible, therefore a robust plan for census survey would lead to a data-driven public policy and economic growth.