‘By understanding their rights, providing accurate information, and voicing concerns, citizens can help ensure that the NRIC is inclusive’
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The 2025 Census includes an exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR), which is the first step for the establishment of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC). Grasping the full scope and implications of this initiative is essential.
The NRIC draws its mandate from the Citizenship Act 1955. Initially conceptualised after the 1951 Census, the NRIC gained renewed significance following recommendations by the Subrahmanyam Committee in the aftermath of the Kargil war (1999), which highlighted the need for a robust database that includes both citizens and non-citizens. These recommendations eventually led to the addition of Section 14A to the Act, mandating the compulsory registration of all Indian citizens and authorising the issuance of identity cards to officially document their citizenship status. Several pilot projects such as the Multi-Purpose National Identity Card (MNIC) and fishermen identity card have since been implemented with varying degrees of success.
As a verified registry with more benefits
The NRIC aims primarily to enhance national security by maintaining a verified citizen registry but also offers additional benefits, such as streamlining identity verification, reducing identity fraud and duplication, and enabling targeted welfare programmes that ensure benefits reach only eligible recipients. The NPR serves as the initial step in achieving these objectives by differentiating citizens from non-citizens through a multi-phase process that collects demographic and biometric data on all usual residents.
This multi-phase process includes several key steps. First, a comprehensive database is created by compiling demographic data during houselisting operations in the Census. Next, biometric data is collected to eliminate duplicate records. Public claims and objections are then invited to ensure transparency, followed by a verification and appeals process allowing residents to challenge records, thereby enhancing accuracy and authenticity. Detailed inquiries into citizenship status are conducted to finalize the National Register of Citizens (NRIC), which distinguishes citizens from non-citizens. The process culminates in the issuance of identity cards as mandated by the Citizenship Act.
In the 2011 Census details about individuals, including name, gender, date of birth, marital status, place of birth, nationality, family relationships, residency, and socio-economic indicators were collected. The 2025 Census is anticipated to follow a similar pattern. Biometric data collection, however, will probably be excluded, as this information is already available in the Aadhaar database.
Aadhaar versus NRIC
A question often raised in this connection is the need for this exercise when the Aadhaar already exists. It is essential to note that the Aadhaar and the NRIC serve distinct purposes. Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India, regardless of citizenship. It primarily serves as a biometric-based identity verification tool, linking residents to services such as banking, subsidies, and digital identity. The NRIC aims to establish a comprehensive citizen registry. While Aadhaar is focused on identity verification and can be held by any resident, the NRIC is a citizenship verification system, mandating proof of citizenship. Thus, Aadhaar is broadly inclusive for all residents, whereas the NRIC serves as a definitive record for citizens. They play complementary but distinct roles in India’s governance and security infrastructure.
The Assam exercise and privacy concerns
Assam is the only state where the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been updated (2019). Intended to identify illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh, the process raised concerns over its accuracy and fairness due to stringent documentation requirements that left many rural and less-educated residents unable to meet the criteria. Unlike the proposed national NRIC, Assam’s NRC was guided by the Assam Accord, which imposed unique conditions. However, Assam’s experience highlights the significant humanitarian and administrative challenges that could arise from implementing a nationwide NRIC.
Concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of demographic and biometric information persist, despite the Supreme Court’s guidelines in the Aadhaar case. The need for robust data protection remains critical. Exclusion fears, particularly for communities with limited documentation, must also be addressed. Verifying citizenship on such a large scale poses significant logistical and administrative challenges, underscoring the importance of streamlined procedures and targeted public awareness campaigns.
The NRIC initiative calls for citizens to stay vigilant and actively engaged throughout the process. Given the scale of this effort, transparency and fairness depend on citizens being well-informed, proactive, and diligent in verifying their records. By understanding their rights, providing accurate information, and voicing concerns, citizens can help ensure that the NRIC is inclusive, equitable, and effective.
C. Chandramouli is the former Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. The views expressed are personal
Published – November 29, 2024 12:08 am IST
