Census 2027: New questions spark opposition fears over NPR data linkage

India's decennial census has commenced with enumerators beginning the headcount in Ladakh and snow-bound areas. The updated questionnaire includes 14 questions, some of which are new additions that have drawn scrutiny from opposition parties. Critics argue the revised census could serve as an indirect route to building the National Population Register. The Census Act provides legal protection for personal data gathered during the process, though experts continue to debate how the information may ultimately be used. Privacy implications and the potential misuse of collected data remain key points of contention.