Introductory Memo
In the decades following independence, India’s census transformed from a tool of enumeration into an instrument of nation-building. The questions began to reflect developmental priorities such as inclusion of data points for literacy, employment, housing, and access to basic amenities, thus, capturing the aspirations of a newly sovereign state. Over time, this evolution has mirrored India’s shift towards welfare-oriented governance and, more recently, data-led policymaking. In this second part, we explore how post-independence census questionnaires reveal the transforming relation between the Indian government and its citizens.