Abstract

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.