Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Census cycle................................................................................................................................................2
PRE- ENUMERATION....................................................................................................................................3
Cartography.............................................................................................................................................3
GIS Software............................................................................................................................................3
Data Representation............................................................................................................................3
Data Capture.......................................................................................................................................4
Satellite imagery......................................................................................................................................4
Training of Enumerators..........................................................................................................................4
Enumeration Phase.....................................................................................................................................5
Data Collection process...........................................................................................................................5
Hardware and Software.......................................................................................................................5
Data Processing and Storage...................................................................................................................7
Data Storage............................................................................................................................................8
Post Enumeration........................................................................................................................................9
National Population Register(NPR)..........................................................................................................9
Data Retrieval........................................................................................................................................10
Impact of technology.................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction

A population census is the total process of collecting, compiling , evaluating , analyzing and
publishing disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining at a specified time,
to all persons in a country or in a well delimited part of a country.

A Census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the
members of given population It is regularly occurring and official count of a particular
population .The census in our country is a statutory requirement under the provisions of the
Census act 1948. The history of census in India started in 1872. The Census India 2011 is the
15th National Census since then.

Census is a comprehensive data which contains

 Demography
 Economic Activity
 Literacy and Education
 Housing and Household Amenities
 Urbanization
 Fertility and Mortality
 SC/ST
 Language, Religion & Migration

Extent of usage of Information system in Census 2011 depends on the cycle stage in which
census is working.

Census cycle

1. Pre- enumeration : Maps provide cartographic basis for the delineation of

enumeration area
2. Enumeration : Maps support data collection , monitoring
3. Post Enumeration : Maps male it easier to analyze, display and disseminate also will
support post census surveys

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PRE- ENUMERATION
Cartography
• The Cartographic Division of the Census Commission is the largest producer of thematic
Maps in the country.

• It utilizes the latest GIS software to produce digital Maps.

• The latest addition in Census 2011 is the preparation of satellite imagery based digital
maps at the street and building level in 33 Capital Cities of the country.

Cartographic work serves two major functions:

1. It produces graphics on the screen or on paper that convey the results of analysis to the
people who make decisions about resources. Wall maps and other graphics can be
generated, allowing the viewer to visualize and thereby understand the results of
analyses or simulations of potential events. Web Map Servers facilitate distribution of
generated maps through web browsers using various implementations of web-based
application programming interfaces (AJAX, Java, Flash, etc.).
2. Other database information can be generated for further analysis or use.

GIS Software
A geographic information system (GIS), geographical information system, or geospatial
information system is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that
are linked to location. GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, and database
technology.

 This term describes any information system that integrates stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and
displays geographic information for informing decision making. GIS applications are tools that
allow users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), analyze spatial information, edit
data, maps, and present the results of all these operations. Geographic information science is the
science underlying the geographic concepts, applications and systems.

Data Representation
GIS data represents real objects (such as roads, land use, elevation, trees, waterways, etc.) with
digital data determining the mix there are two broad methods used to store data in a GIS for
both kinds of abstractions mapping references: raster images and vector

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Raster data is stored in various formats; from a standard file-based structure of TIF, JPEG, etc.
to stored directly in a relational database management system (RDBMS)

Data Capture
Data capture—entering information into the system—consumes much of the time of GIS
practitioners. There are a variety of methods used to enter data into a GIS where it is stored in a
digital format

 A digitizer produces vector data as an operator traces points, lines, and polygon boundaries
from a map. Scanning a map results in raster data that could be further processed to produce
vector data.

Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial
satellites.

Satellite imagery is sometimes supplemented with aerial photography, which has higher

resolution, but is more expensive per square meter. Satellite imagery can be combined with
vector or raster data in a GIS provided that the imagery has been spatially rectified so that it will
properly align with other data sets.

This satellite are used for the purpose

 GeoEye
 Digital Globe
 Spot Image
 Rapideye
 Imagesat international

Training of Enumerators
E Learning Modules on difficult concepts as training aids. This helps the enumerators
understand the process of data collection easily and minimize the error.

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Enumeration Phase
Data Collection process

In the Current 2011 census, the forms have been printed in 16 languages this time only reaffirms
the fact it is indeed the largest such exercise in the world. The Intelligent Character Recognition
(ICR) technology that was pioneered by India during the 2001 census has been improvised to a
better version and is being utilized again for the scanning of census forms at high speed and
automatic interpretation of the data in the 2011 census .In 2011 Census the scanners used have
additional features like image enhancement, removing noises, and detection and auto correction
of images through its own software. The ICR used this time has better recognition features and
its workflow management capacity.

Hardware and Software

The application of technology in Data collection in census 2011 involves various instruments

Plotter& Printer

A plotter is a computer printing device for printing vector graphics .Plotter are used primarily
in technical drawing and CAD applications , where they have the advantage of working on very
large paper sizes while maintaining high resolution. This is used to print maps and other related
images to printed. These produce the schedules and manual required during the census data
collection . The Schedules to be developed is of very high quality which requires a high quality
plotters and printers. Image below shows the plotter being used in Census 2011 and production
of schedules in progress .

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Servers

Server Hardware installed for data processing activities- :  HP ProLiant DL380G6 Quad Core
Base Servers  

IT resources at 15 data Centre’s

 36 Microsoft Windows 2008R2 servers,

 SQL Server -2008,
 Windows 7 Professional Clients,

The services of a System Integrator were utilized at 15 Data Centre’s for scanning operations
and data file creation.  All the required software’s & MIS tools are developed by the officers of
Data Processing Division, ORGI, and New Delhi

Fingerprint reader

Census 2011 is now implementing biometric fingerprint reader for periodic count of
population. Biometric fingerprint reader is based on authenticating the individuals by
recognizing the finger touch for having reliable security. Due to the electronic storage of the
data, the biometric system will be able to store the details of huge population on India.

Every Individual including the homeless will be fingerprinted and photographed and based on
the data national IDs would be created . The biometric data will then be stored electronically in
the computer database.

Iris scanner:

This will be included if need arise for an Iris scan. Iris scan is done to ensure more security and
have more information for each individual. There is still doubt whether to include it or not.

Photo Camera:

Photograph of each citizen is being taken for Unique Identification project for preparing IDs.

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Data Processing and Storage

Data processing starts as the collection work is finished. The data is processed to be
digitalized and stored in the server. Image shows the steps involved in data processing

Scanners
Scanners are used to convert the filled forms and schedules in to digital image form for further
scanning. This forms are fed through batch by batch.
The scanner used in the census 2011 process is Kodak High Speed Scanners
Recognition stations: - This stage images are automatically recognized using field by field
character concept. The technology involved in recognition is Intelligent Character Recording
ICR technology

Intelligent character Recognition software converts hand printed characters to a machine

readable format .This ability to recognize hand written characters makes it very suitable and apt
for the data procession activities involved in a census and helps in saving time and increase
accuracy. The software is actually based on the science of neural networks .It is termed
intelligent because it is able to tackle the variation

Tiling and completion:- In this stage, unrecognized character are are corrected by operators
manually. This is done when ICR fails to recognize the charaters. This is very tedious task and
takes lot of time.

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Quality control and exception:- supervisor handle the exceptional cases and quality measures.
The data entered should be in standard manner and without any loss in quality.

Export station : The data are send as ASCII file to the Network server to be stored for
controlling and monitoring..

Data Storage
Following storage device has been installed in 15 Data Centers in India for data processing
activities
HP Storage Works EVA6400, Capacity – 10/100 TB  

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Post Enumeration
National Population Register(NPR)
The National Population Register would have the data of every person enumerated
during the Census operations irrespective of age. It would also have the biometric data
and UID Number of every person of age 15 years and above. National Identity Cards
will be given in a phased manner to all usual residents by the Office of the Registrar
General and Census Commissioner, India.
The figure shows the process of NPR formation along with technology involved in each
step.

• Once the NPR final database is created, the same will be sent to UIDA for de-
duplication and generation of UID Number
• For maintenance and continuous updating of the NPR database, it is proposed to set up
NPR Centre’s, one in each tehsil / block
The changes in names, addresses, new entry through birth, deletion by death etc. will be
undertaken in the NPR Centre’s

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Data Retrieval

Information stored in the database is retrieved by different departments of Government. Census 2011
information will be used several purposes

1. Maps generated during the Pre- Enumeration process is available to be used by various agency.
2. Identity cars generated during the NPR(UID) process will serve as base for all personal
Information based requirement.
3. It is available in the site http://Censusindia.gov.in

Figure shows how data is being retrieved

Impact of technology
Impact of the technology in Indian Census

1.Compilation of basic population data whichwas done manual basis is totally computerized

2. Entire census data belonging to more than one billion population could be computerized using
ICR(Intelligent Character Recogintion) based form processing technology

3. Images of all the census schedules are available electronically and can recalled back for
further processing at any point of time in future.

4.The scanned data images could be used to generate further analysis need for policy
formulation.

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