Discussion
Since 1872, the Census of India has provided migration data on the basis of place of birth. Since 1971, the migration data has been collected on the basis of place of last residence and duration of residence at the place of enumeration. Then, since 1981, reasons of migration has been included in the census questionnaire. The Census of India provides the wealth of information on migration data but unfortunately this has been mostly ignored by researchers, in the favour of gathering data supported by other sources (Bhagat, 2016) . Under Ministry of Planning and Programme Implementation (renamed now as Ministry of Statistical and Program Implementation), National Sample Survey Organization(NSSO) , had included a question on migration based on Place of Last Residence as a part of its employment and unemployment surveys. New data sets, such as the National Family Health Surveys, did not consider migration to be a significant variable that may impact health status in general, and reproductive health in particular, and hence did not collect migration data. Furthermore, with the publishing of two rounds of migration data by the National Sample Survey Organisation in 2001 and 2010, the recent decade has witnessed a revived interest in migration research. The estimation of migration is being done by direct and indirect statistical measurement. A good knowledge of migration trends and patterns both internal and international would provide better understanding the nature of population growth and redistribution. It would also throw light on regional disparities, labour market dynamics, modernization, development, and political processes that affect migration. Article 19 of the Indian Constitution ensures freedom of movement and freedom to dwell inside Indian Territory as a basic right of all people. Therefore, research on migration is essential in India from demographic perspective as well as economic, political, and cultural standpoint. According to 2011 Census, Migrants made up 30.6% of the nation’s population in 1971, reaching a peak in 1981 at 30.3%, then falling to 27% in 1991 and then again to 30.14% in 2001.
The female migration will be affected by the late Census can be evidence from the studies that has been conducted earlier. But according to surveys conducted throughout the years, male migration appears to be more prevalent. The problem of female migration is rarely adequately addressed in migration studies. The lack of study on women’s migration is linked to a focus on economic theories rather than socio-cultural and family-related reasons. Technological advancement, economic challenges, and a lack of work opportunities drive individuals to move to survive, while globalisation creates demand for females. According to 1991 census, 60% of females migrated due to marriage and the same declined by 1% in 2001 census. Likewise, employment as a reason which constitutes 3.67% in 1991 increased to 4.19% in 2001(Mahapatro, 2010) . Higher female literacy and amenities lead to better job opportunities, while caste and minority group membership favours in the increase of migration through the network effect, resulting in ’feminization’ of migration.
Male migration is driven by economic resources, inadequate educational and public health infrastructure, and low-skilled labour, which are the main factors contributing to heavy outmigration from the state. According to 2011 Census, among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of inter-states outmigrants – 12.32 million. The reasons of out-migration from Uttar Pradesh reflects the economic dependence on migration in terms of reducing unemployment and gaining remittances. Migrants from Uttar Pradesh prefer industrialised and urbanised states, but their concentration is not uniform across districts.
In case of the total international migrants (in- migrants) as per census 2001 are 51, 55,424. Out of this eastern zone of India had maximum international in-migrants, accounting to 56% of the total as education for the reason of migration. While work and business became a reason for migration among those migrating to western zone of India. As per census 2001, states with high literacy rates expected more interstate migrants coming for education whereas states with high GDP, also expected significant interstate migrants coming for work and business. Among international migrants with work as the reason for migration was more in states with higher GDP as per Census data of India 2001(Taralekar, 2012) .
Between 1951 and 2011, the urban population increased sixfold, the level of urbanization rose only from 17 % to 31 %. The urbanisation increased at the slow pace up-to 2001 due to only rural to urban migration but during 2001–2011 the decline in the urban growth rate halted and the level of urbanisation in the country increased from 27.7 % to 31.1 %. The emerging pattern of urbanization during 2001–2011 was driven more by rural-urban re-classification of settlements than to rural-urban migration. The actual scenario of urbanisation comes from Census data which gets proven by the migration pattern analysis of the country.