The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 has earmarked a substantial sum of Rs 6,000 crore for the National Population Register (NPR) and the upcoming Census 2027, even though the government has not yet issued any formal notification for the commencement of NPR enumeration. This allocation, detailed under the head of "Census, Survey and Statistics/Registrar General of India (RGI)", includes Rs 218 crore designated for capital expenditure, highlighting the financial preparedness for these critical demographic exercises.
NPR and Census 2027: Budgetary Provisions Amid Ambiguity
According to the Budget documents, the Rs 6,000 crore allocation is intended to cover provisions for the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, along with various schemes of the RGI, specifically including the NPR and expenditures related to Census 2027. This move signals the government's intent to proceed with these initiatives, despite the absence of a clear timeline or official announcement regarding the NPR's implementation.
No Official Notification for NPR Yet
An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) clarified that no decision has been made regarding the conduct of the NPR exercise at this juncture. "There is no notification for the conduct of NPR. The allocation is in line with what has been made in previous budgets since 2020-21. The allocation has been made keeping in mind that if and as and when the government decides to conduct the NPR, the funds are there," the official stated, underscoring the provisional nature of the funding.
NPR as a Precursor to NRC: Legal and Historical Context
The NPR, which involves the enumeration of usual residents in the country, is legally established as a precursor to the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Governed by the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, the NPR is designed to collect information that could later be used to verify citizenship status. Rule 3 and its sub-rules outline the process for preparing the Population Register, which feeds into the Local Register of Indian Citizens, with provisions for flagging individuals with doubtful citizenship for further inquiry.
Controversies and Past Delays
The NPR has been a contentious issue, particularly following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in 2019, which sparked widespread protests and allegations that it could lead to the exclusion of minorities from citizenship through the NRC. In response, several states passed resolutions opposing the exercise, and the Centre temporarily put it on hold. Initially planned for 2020 alongside the houselisting phase of the Census, the NPR was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with previous allocations like Rs 3,941.35 crore approved in 2019 remaining unutilized.
Current Status and Future Implications
The houselisting phase of Census 2027 has been notified to occur between April 1 and September 30 of this year, but this notification does not mention the NPR. Historically, NPR data was first collected in 2010 during the houselisting phase of the 2011 Census and updated in 2015. However, with the government's focus shifting to Aadhaar for benefit transfers in 2016, the NPR took a backseat until its revival via a notification in August 2019. The RGI has since prepared the NPR proforma and completed digitization of the 2015 data.
Political and Social Ramifications
The allocation in Budget 2026 reignites debates around citizenship and demographic policies in India. Past statements from Union Home Minister Amit Shah about a nationwide NRC, juxtaposed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's later clarification that no decision had been made on the NRC, reflect the political sensitivity of the issue. The Rs 6,000 crore provision, therefore, not only addresses logistical needs but also carries symbolic weight, potentially influencing public perception and policy discourse as the country approaches Census 2027.
In summary, while the Budget 2026 allocation demonstrates financial commitment to the NPR and Census 2027, the lack of a notification for NPR enumeration leaves its execution uncertain. This situation underscores the complex interplay between administrative planning, legal frameworks, and socio-political dynamics in India's ongoing demographic initiatives.
