National Population Register - NPR, NRC & Census
This article talks about National Population Register (NPR), its legal basis and its benefits. It also discusses how NPR is different from NRC (National Register of Citizens) and census.
What is NPR (National Population Register)?
Legal Basis of NPR
Who are registered in NPR (National Population Register)?
What data is compiled in NPR?
NPR Updating
Benefits of National Population Register
Important Facts about NPR
NPR, NRC and Census
What is NPR (National Population Register)?
NPR is an abbreviation for National Population Register. The term itself tells that it is a compilation of population of nation. More specifically, NPR is a database of usual residents of India. It means that compilation of National Population Register includes all those people who are living in India irrespective of their citizenship. Both citizens of India and non citizens together constitute data for this record.
Legal Basis of NPR
Citizenship Act 1955 was amended in 2004 which introduced the provision of NPR. According to section 14A of Citizenship Act 1955, center may make National Population Register and may issue national identity card. Center may also organize National Registration Authority.
Who are registered in NPR (National Population Register)?
The legal provision for NPR specifies that all the local residents of a place staying there since at least last 6 months and those who are willing to stay at the same place for a total period of 6 months or more, will be registered in National Population Register.
What data is compiled in NPR?
NPR (National Population Register) is a compilation of geographical and biometric information of usual residents. The database collects following:
Name, Parent’s names, Sex, Marital status, Spouse name, Relation with the head of family, Date of Birth, Birthplace, Nationality, Current address, Stay period at current residence, Educational qualification, Occupation etc.
After data collection, receipt is also given. The information for NPR is collected at levels of gram panchayats, tehsils, states and nation.
NPR Updating
National Population Register was first time prepared in 2010 before census 2011. Later it was updated in 2015. The information compiled was gathered directly from the people. Next update of NPR is awaited in 2020 before census 2021. Central cabinet approved its update on 24th December 2019. This time NPR is different from those of 2010 and 2015. The data compiled will also include biometric information but it is not mandatory.
Data collection for updating NPR 2020 will be conducted for all states and UTs of India except Assam from April to September 2020.
Benefits of National Population Register
National Population Register has following benefits:
- NPR is helpful in implementation of government schemes.
- The information of NPR is critical for preventing scams.
- It promotes transparency and aids in accessing targeted beneficiaries to avail them number of services from banking to insurance.
- The data compiled in National Population Register is beneficial for easy admissions in schools, colleges, hostels and also aid in granting scholarships.
- The benefits to farmers from debt relief to providing fertilizers can be easily accessible by using database of NPR.
- Registration of land, property and ownership of share can be facilitated.
- The records of NPR can be utilized for fastening of health services, employment promotion, disaster management and targeting pension seekers like old age people, handicapped, freedom fighters etc.
The database maintained in National Population Register had already been used in a number of government schemes like UJWALA Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Saubhagya Yojana etc.
Important Facts about NPR
Being registered under National Population Register is not a proof of citizenship.
The government claims following about NPR:
- NPR is a database for the identification of people.
- It has no influence on anyone’s citizenship.
- There is no need of any document for registration in National Population Register.
- The information provided by people is self verified and will be recorded as such what people say them.
- There is no need of biometric information.
NPR, NRC and Census
NPR compiles general information of usual residents including both citizens and non-citizens.
NRC is a subset of NPR. NRC stands for National Register of Citizens. This document is compilation of information of citizens only. Technically, NPR is basis for NRC. At present, there is no provision for NRC in Indian legal system.
Census occurs once in every ten years. It collects deeper information than what collected for NPR. First census was conducted in 1872. Post independence, government of India decided to conduct organized census in 1949.
Population data is shared with administration units where it is used for delimitation determination of constituencies.
See Other Posts: Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019, Naxalism
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