PolitySource: The Hindu
Private Member's Bill Introduced in Rajya Sabha to Amend Census Act
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Key Points
Private Member’s Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha aims to amend the Census Act, 1948, mandating a nationwide Census every ten years. This highlights the need for legally mandated Census data to enhance the effectiveness of welfare schemes and public services in India.
Detailed Coverage
- Private Member’s Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
- Aims to amend the Census Act, 1948.
- Mandates a nationwide Census every ten years.
- Current Census practice is not legally mandated.
- Regular Census data is crucial for welfare schemes.
- Private Member’s Bills (PMBs) are proposed by non-Minister MPs.
- PMBs allow MPs to raise significant issues for their constituencies.
- Only non-government MPs can introduce these bills.
- MPs can propose resolutions for specific matters.
- Procedure involves drafting, notice, introduction, debate, and decision.
- Only 14 PMBs have passed since Independence.
- No PMB has passed both Houses since 1970.
- Highlights ongoing discussions about Census practices.
- Importance of a legal framework for Census data.
- Enhancing public service delivery through regular Census.
- Significance of the Census in governance and policy-making.
Polity