Preamble of Census Data:
Objectives
Preamble
Every census yields a vast reservoir of information, meticulously collected, processed, and subsequently tabulated. Since the inception of the modern census in 1872, the Census Organisation in India has disseminated the results of each census in the form of varied publications. Following Independence, the execution of the Decennial Census abides by the provisions of the Census Act of 1948 and its consequential rules, a legislative framework ensuring the confidentiality of the acquired information. This legislative act mandates that any information disclosed by respondents during the census is confidential and prohibited from utilisation or presentation in any legal proceedings. The disseminated Census data, curated by the Census Commissioner of India, is presented as aggregated tables at diverse administrative echelons such as the Country, State, District, Sub-District, Town, Village, or Ward in Town, ensuring the anonymity of the individuals related to the data.
Recognising the inherent power of information and the significant resources involved in its collection, numerous nations grant researchers access to micro-level Census datasets for individual exploration. Aligning with this global practice, the Indian Census has resolved to offer this facility to researchers, initiating the establishment of 18 Workstations across the nation. This initiative, undertaken within the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), aims to enable research on anonymised micro-data from the census.
In providing access to micro-data, the imperative of preserving confidentiality through data anonymisation, by obscuring locations and certain sensitive fields, is paramount. Once anonymised, the datasets become available for extensive research at the workstations, allowing for exploration into the diverse characteristics of the nation's populace. In addition to this, researchers are granted the liberty to generate new tabulations and cross-tabulations beyond the tables produced by the Census Organisation, as per the ratified 'Tabulation Plan,' from the available micro-data sets at the workstation.
However, it is imperative to note that researchers are strictly prohibited from extracting soft-copies of the generated cross-tabulations or any data from the workstation, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the Census data.
Census Micro Data
Census Microdata represents a pivotal component within the comprehensive framework of census operations. This term refers to the individual-level information provided by a singular respondent during the execution of the census, which is conducted in two overarching phases: (i) the House listing and Housing Census and (ii) the Population Enumeration. It's crucial to note that microdata is meticulously processed to anonymise sensitive fields and location particulars, thereby mitigating any potential risk of respondent identification.
Microdata is compartmentalised into two distinct categories: (i) National-level sample, constituting a 1% sample, and (ii) State-level sample, comprising either a 5% or 10% sample contingent on the demographic magnitude of the respective State. The workstation empowers researchers with access to Sample Microdata originating from both the House listing and the Housing Census of 2001, delivering invaluable insights at the household level. Additionally, ensuing provisions will incorporate other Sample Microdata Files from the Census 2001 & Census 2011.
It's feasible to craft Tables at both the Indian and State level utilising the National level 1% sample. Concurrently, State/District level tables can be orchestrated using the State level samples (5% or 10%). The introduction of CSPro software at the workstation enriches the data analytical process, allowing the creation of robust and diversified tables.
Extended Facilities and Research Potential:
Researchers exploiting the workstation have the privilege of harnessing the extensive database to fabricate any cross-classified tables pivotal for their respective research endeavours. This not only caters to the multidimensional research needs but also provides a conducive environment for verifying and substantiating any hypothesis postulated by the researcher, thus enhancing the overall quality and scope of research in the field.
Inclusion of Other Datasets:
In addition to Sample Microdata, the Workstation also hosts a plethora of published Census Tables, ranging from the years 1991 to 2011, stored in a soft copy format. This provision ensures the continual enrichment of the database, as any newly released Tables from Census 2011 by the Census Organisation are subsequently integrated into the workstation's extensive repertoire.
This comprehensive compilation of datasets is made available to the research community free of cost, reflecting a commitment to promoting the usage and exploration of Census Data, fostering an environment of academic growth, learning, and inquiry.
Location
Census Data Research workstation is located @
First Floor
OCTA Office
Computer Support Group
NIT, Tiruchirappalli.
Tiruchirappalli – 620 015
Data Access Procedure (NITT and other academic institutes)
Proposal Submission, Review, and Approval:
Operational Details and Accessibility:
Data Usage, Reproduction, and Fees:
Responsibility, Accountability, and Registration:
Note:
Every researcher must comply with these guidelines to maintain the integrity and efficacy of the workstation's operations, ensuring a conducive and equitable research environment.
Do's & Don'ts for Researchers:
Do's:
Don'ts:
Census Data Research Workstation committee details
Nodal Officer / Convener:
Nodal Officer:
Dr.P.Sridevi, Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. Email_Id: psridevi@nitt.edu
Convener:
Mr.H.Faizal Ahamed, Technical Officer, Computer Support Group, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. Email_Id: faizal@nitt.edu
Steering Committee:
Members constituted by the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli,
Members constituted by the Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu:
The Nodal officer/ Convener can be contacted for any clarification to the above mentioned email_id.
Note:
Researchers are urged to strictly adhere to the aforementioned dos and don'ts to maintain a harmonious and conducive research environment and to uphold the integrity of the data and the workstation.