In a first, Census 2027 will not record data on begging
The Indian government has decided to remove the 'beggars and vagrants' category from the 2027 Census, citing low response rates and social stigma. This data will now be subsumed under the 'others' category, effectively ending specific demographic tracking for this population.
Why it matters
Removing specific census categories can obscure the scale of poverty and homelessness, potentially impacting the allocation of social welfare resources.
NEW DELHI: In a departure from previous exercises, Census 2027 will not record data on begging separately, with the questionnaire having omitted the category 'beggars and vagrants etc' from the list of 'non-economic activity'. This, as per sources, is due to the very less return in this category in the last census; just around 3.8 lakh non-workers and marginal workers declared themselves as 'beggars and vagrants' in Census 2011.Another key change in is the inclusion of 'natural calamities' as a 'reason for migration', in addition to work, business, education, marriage, moved after birth, moved with household and 'any other'.While the 2011 census and earlier had listed 'beggars and vagrants etc' as marginal and non-workers engaged in 'non-economic activity' - in addition to students, household duties, dependents, pensioners, rentiers and others - they will now be counted among 'others'; as a result, the number of beggars in the country or their…
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