The Census of India 2021, similar to other national censuses, plays a
crucial role in capturing accurate migration data. However, due to the
unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the census
experienced significant delays, affecting its impact on migration
patterns. This abstract explores the potential consequences of the
delayed census on understanding and analysing migration trends in India.
The nationwide lockdowns and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of
the virus disrupted the regular timeline of conducting the census. The
delayed census raises concerns regarding the accuracy and
comprehensiveness of migration-related data. The pandemic-induced
disruptions in internal and international migration further complicate
the analysis of migration patterns. People's movement was restricted due
to travel bans, economic uncertainty, and fear of infection.
Consequently, the population shifts and migration trends during the
pandemic might not be adequately captured due to the incomplete census
data. The potential Impact on data sampling techniques used in the
census also warrants attention. The accuracy of population estimates and
statistical inferences related to migration may be affected by limited
access to certain regions or groups of people during the pandemic.
Adjustments and considerations will be essential to account for
potential data biases stemming from these limitations.