Modernizing Data Dissemination for Census Analysis in India

1. Census of India 2001 MODERNISINGDATA DISSEMINATION ACTIVITY IN CENSUS Office of the Registrar General, IndiaMinistry of Home Affairs2A, Mansingh Road, New Delhi

2. Data Collection Data Processing Data Dissemination

3. Subjects Covered • Population Tables • Economic Tables • Social and Cultural Tablesincluding on Age & Marital Status Education Religion Language • Tables on SC/ST • Migration Tables • Fertility Tables

4. Subjects Covered • Primary Census Abstract • Village Directory • Town Directory • District Census Handbook • Maps & Cartographic presentations • Special Studies • Vital Statistics • Other

5. Levels of Presentation of Census Data • India level • State level • District level • Tahsil/Taluka level • Village level • Ward level

6. Table Format • 2001 Census Tables will be generated at pre-decided formats • Number of Tables : • 1991 Census : 110 • 2001 Census : About 300 • Most of these tables will be presented at State/District level • Some will be presented even at the village level • There is also proposal to generate special tables at Users request

7. 1991 Census Scenario

8. MODES OF DATA DISSEMINATION 1991 Census Books Floppies CD-Rom Internet

9. MODES OF DATA DISSEMINATION 1991 Census • Census Volumes were published at India & State level • Limited number of copies could be printed • Ultimate user reach is limited • There is always demand for more number of copies Books

10. MODES OF DATA DISSEMINATION 1991 Census • Tables were provided in Diskettes for immediate use • Usually the Diskettes were prepared by subject series • Tables were in .xls or .dbf format • Large number of diskettes were required for each Series • Though convenient to use, sometime quality of the diskette caused problem Diskettes

11. MODES OF DATA DISSEMINATION 1991 Census • Only one CD was prepared • It contained all the 1991 Census Tables published • Price of the CD is Rs 2500/- • A large number of CDs have been sold • The CD is in great demand even today CD-Rom

12. MODES OF DATA DISSEMINATION 1991 Census • With the introduction and growing popularity of Internet, Census organisation decided to use the facility to disseminate Census Data over the world wide web • Census of India website was created in 1998 (URL: http://www.censusindia.net/) • The website initially provided metadata on Census and tables on a few important variables based on 1991 Census. • The site registered about 10,000 visits per month when introduced Internet

13. 2001 Census Scenario

14. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay … Census analysis is only valuable if utilized for a better understanding of social and demographic levels and trends. It is most valuable when used for formulating development policies and programmes… - UNFPA Country Technical Services Team, Bangkok : 2000

15. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay …Thus it is not sufficient merely to prepare the Census reports. A variety of information products targeting different users should be prepared. The intended users should be involved in the development and utilization of the products … - UNFPA Country Technical Services Team, Bangkok : 2000

16. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay • … Statistical and Census organizations should adopt a proactive strategy towards developing their data dissemination strategy and tools … • UNFPA Country Technical Services Team, Bangkok : 2000

17. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay • The statistical and census organizations should: • AdoptInternet technology as part of their data dissemination strategy • Where live Internet is not possible, the development of hypertext interface for a dissemination CD be considered • E-mail be used to for keeping known customers informed about the release schedules and for disseminating summary results • - UNFPA Country Technical Services Team, Bangkok : 2000

18. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay • The statistical and census organizations should: • Lay special emphasis on the use of geographical information systems (GIS) in data dissemination using digitized boundary maps for effective illustration of census data • Strategy for developing internal human resources for effective data dissemination - UNFPA Country Technical Services Team, Bangkok : 2000

19. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay … The provision of an effective statistical service requires efficient dissemination of the information which the statistical agency produces and effective marketing of the agency’s statistical products and services so that official statistics are used widely in decision making, research and discussion ... - ‘Electronic Dissemination – ABS Experience’.Australian Bureau of Statistics, UN Secretariat : 1997

20. DATA DISSEMINATION WhattheExpertssay … Maximum use will occur when the statistics are relevant, reliable, accessible and in a convenient and usable form. Dissemination methods influence accessibility and use and the ABS uses many avenues for dissemination of its statistics, including printed publications, magnetic tape, floppy disk, CD-ROM, on-line services and most recently , the Internet. ... - ‘Electronic Dissemination – ABS Experience’.Australian Bureau of Statistics, UN Secretariat : 1997

21. 2001 Census Strategy

23. 2001 CensusStrategy Strategy: • To develop Data Dissemination Units at R G Office and each State Census Directorate • To undertake National Census Data Requirement Survey by engaging professional agency • To develop infrastructure for data dissemination using • Printed publications • Diskettes, CD ROMs • E-mail network • Over Internet

24. 2001 CensusStrategy Strategy: • Extensively use GIS technology in disseminating census results through thematic maps • Making available Internet GIS at the website for generating thematic maps by data users • Creating State Census website to facilitate dissemination of state level census data in English and regional languages for optimum use • Regularly interacting with the stakeholders for assessing and meeting their needs for census data • Maintaining and updating Census Data User database to meet the interact with various target groups

25. 2001 CensusStrategy Strategy: • Extending facility of Registration to the Data Users to enable sending Newsletter on release schedules and information on census • Providing record level data after deleting information on sensitive fields to data users • Provision of powerful software to generate customised tables from record level data • Adequate publicity and organising workshops with stakeholders

26. MAPS • Census is one of the largest producers of good quality maps in printed and digitized forms • 2001 Census has introduced the system of Permanent Location Codes at village level to remove problems of time series analysis • These frames and maps are used for sample survey by other agencies

27. MAPS • Census is contemplating release of village level maps prepared by Enumerators • Every Census report included high quality thematic maps • Census maintains the largest database of digitized boundaries upto village level • Census generates digitized thematic maps on Census and non-Census data

34. Guided tour of the Census of India Website http:/www.censusindia.net/ ENTER

35. Thank you …