First Census of Free India - [February 9, 1951] This Day in History

What happened?

The first census of India after independence started on 9 February 1951 and enumeration continued till 28 February 1951. The country’s population was counted as 36,10,88,090.

Background

• India has a long history of census. Even the literature from the Rig Veda reveals that population count was taken during those periods. Chanakya’s Arthashastra also indicates the importance of taking census as a measure for taxation. In the middle ages, Mughal Emperor Akbar also had some sort of population count.
• In the modern era, census began with the British authorities holding census for the town of Allahabad in 1824. After that in 1827-28, Benares also had a census.
• The first complete census of an Indian city was done for Dacca (now in Bangladesh) by Henry Walter in 1830.
• Similarly different regions had its census taken in various years. In 1865, the government of India decided that a general census of the country would be taken in 1871.
• In 1866-67, actual counting of heads was taken in most parts of the country and this came to be known as the Census of 1872. Not all territories were covered under this though. In this first nation-wide census, 17 questions were asked pertaining to name, age, religion, caste/class, nationality or race, ability to read/write, and whether attended school or college. Males were asked a separate question on occupation also.
• After that every ten years, regular census has been conducted by the government.
• 1941 saw the last census before independence. After India attained independence, the Bhore Committee recommended the government to appoint a Registrar General of Vital and Population Statistics at the central and the provincial levels.
• As per the Committee’s recommendations, the Census Act came into effect in 1948. The 1951 census was conducted in accordance with this act.
• The 1951 census’s enumeration period was from 9^th to 28^th February. Questions were asked pertaining to an individual’s name, age, religion, sex, relationship, economic status, principal and subsidiary means of livelihood, mother tongue and literacy.
• The National Register of Citizens of India (NRC) was prepared after this census.
• The whole state of Jammu & Kashmir was omitted during this census and the data for this state was taken based on past figures.
• This census revealed the population of the country to be 36,10,88,090. The male to female ratio was 1: 0.946.
• Only 18% of the population was literate and the average life expectancy was a mere 32 years.
• As per this census, 72,26,000 people migrated to Pakistan and 72,49,000 people migrated to India during the partition.
• The last census was taken in 2011.

 

Nai Roshni Scheme - Indian Polity

In 2012- 2013, the Government of India launched a welfare scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development of minority women in order to inculcate confidence and empower them by providing knowledge and techniques. This topic is important for students preparing for the IAS Exam. Nai Roshni Scheme also spelled as, Nayi Roshni Scheme, is a part of the polity/social justice sections of the General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Syllabus.

Nai Roshni Scheme Objectives

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty. 
• It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights and help them grow economically thus strengthening civil society.

Training Modules under Nai Roshni

Advocacy for Social and Behavioral Change	Digital-Literacy
Educational Empowerment	Financial Systems
Health and Hygiene	Leadership of Women
Legal Rights to Women	Life Skills
Swachh Bharat

Nai Roshni Scheme Target Group

• Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian (Parsi) and Jain women notified under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 come under the target group.
• However, to further increase the strength of the mosaic of plurality in society and bring about solidarity and unity through their own efforts to improve their lot, the scheme permits a mix of women from non-minority communities not exceeding 25% of a project proposal.
• Efforts should be made by the organization so that a representative mix of women comes up from SCs/STs/OBCs. Also, women with disabilities and other communities are included within this 25% group.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Nai Roshni Scheme

• A study was conducted by NITI Aayog to evaluate the impact of the scheme on the minority and to identify the setbacks faced in the implementation of the scheme.
• The study covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 27 NGOs spread over 8 States namely Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• According to NITI Aayog, majority of the findings of the study indicate that the programme has been appreciated by a majority of the segments of the population and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and in developing leadership spirit in them.
• Trained women are utilizing their knowledge to help their families and neighbours in raising their essential demands and claims from various government authorities.

Recommendations of the Study

• Taking up more awareness programmes about the scheme.
• Inclusion of women from the general category. The scheme provides for the selection of 25 non-minority women.
• Longer periods of training.
• Including training modules on laws protecting the interests of women.
• Including persons with disabilities in the training module.