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.