Former officials urge strict secrecy for census data amid NPR‑NRC fears

Several retired Indian administrators have called for the 2024 census to remain strictly confidential, warning that any attempt to merge its figures with the National Population Register (NPR) could pave the way for a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Hindu reported that these ex‑officials are uneasy about the potential for data sharing, citing past episodes where census information was used to compile citizen registries.

The concern is rooted in the 1951 exercise, when the first NRC was drafted by "copying" data from the census schedules. According to The Hindu, that country‑wide NRC was never made public, except for the undivided state of Assam – which at the time also covered present‑day Manipur and Tripura. The limited publication sparked apprehension about how demographic data could be repurposed for citizenship verification.

The NPR, introduced after the 2016 demonetisation drive, is intended to create a comprehensive database of all usual residents. Critics argue that it could become a de‑facto NRC if the information is cross‑checked with census figures, potentially exposing individuals to exclusion from basic services. The ex‑bureaucrats stress that the census, historically a tool for planning and development, must not be weaponised for identity policing.

India’s last full census in 2011 recorded a population of 1.21 billion, and the upcoming count is expected to shape policy on everything from health to infrastructure. Yet the spectre of an NRC – a register that has already caused unrest in Assam and other northeastern states – looms large. Past attempts to implement an NRC in Assam in 2019 led to massive protests, legal challenges, and concerns over statelessness for marginalized communities.

By urging confidentiality, the former officials hope to preserve the census’s primary purpose while preventing a repeat of the 1951 precedent. Their appeal comes as the government prepares to launch the NPR rollout in select states, a move that could set the stage for broader integration with census data if safeguards are not put in place.

Stakeholders, including civil‑society groups and legal experts, are watching closely. They argue that transparent safeguards and clear legal frameworks are essential to ensure that demographic data serves development goals rather than becoming a tool for exclusion.