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India begins world’s largest population census
More than three million Indian officials have begun the yearlong task of counting the country’s population.
More than three million officials in India have begun the world’s largest national population count, in a yearlong process that could reshape welfare programmes and political representation across the country.
The census, which was delayed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, began on Wednesday and will end by March 31 next year.
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Census workers will first spend about a month collecting information from homes and will document housing stock and living conditions.
Information will be collected through in-person surveys and online, allowing residents to use a smartphone application.
A second phase of the counting will be conducted from September, during which more detailed information, such as people’s social and economic characteristics, including religion and caste, will be surveyed.
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