Census 2025 as a Comprehensive Citizen Registry

Context : The 2025 Census, along with updating the National Population Register (NPR), is the first step towards the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC). The NRIC aims to differentiate citizens from non-citizens, strengthening governance and security. However, it raises concerns about its implementation, data privacy, and possible exclusion.

Historical Background

The NRIC originates from the Citizenship Act of 1955, inspired by the 1951 Census. It gained momentum after the Kargil War (1999) when the Subrahmanyam Committee highlighted the need for a citizen database for national security. This led to Section 14A, making citizen registration mandatory.

Objectives and Benefits

1. Strengthening National Security: Maintains a verified registry to counter illegal immigration and identity fraud.
2. Streamlining Identity Verification: Simplifies legal and administrative processes by unifying citizenship proof.
3. Targeted Welfare Delivery: Ensures subsidies and welfare programs benefit eligible citizens, reducing misuse.

NPR-NRIC Process

The NRIC process involves:

• Collecting demographic data during Census operations.
• Verification and appeals to ensure accuracy and transparency.
  Unlike Aadhaar, which includes all residents, the NRIC specifically verifies citizenship.

Challenges

1. Documentation Issues: Many lack proper citizenship documents, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
2. Data Privacy: Managing sensitive data poses risks of misuse and surveillance.
3. Exclusion Fears: Vulnerable groups risk being left out, causing unrest.

Lessons and Moving Forward

The Assam NRC experience shows the need for fairness and transparency to avoid errors and exclusion. Addressing privacy concerns and engaging citizens through awareness campaigns will be essential for successful implementation.

Conclusion

The NRIC initiative has the potential to enhance governance and security. However, overcoming challenges of documentation, data protection, and inclusivity will be critical to its success. Lessons from past implementations can guide a fair and effective rollout.