The Census Act, 1948

The Census Act, 1948 is a legislation enacted by the Indian Parliament to provide for the conduct of a census of India every ten years. The Act empowers the Central Government to conduct the census and to make rules for carrying out its provisions. It also provides for the appointment of Census Officers and the taking of oaths by them. The Act also lays down penalties for making false statements and for obstructing the conduct of the census. The census is an important tool for planning and policymaking in India as it provides data on population, demographics, and other important socio-economic indicators.