The full form of NPR is National Population Register. Every nation has its own specific set of laws and policies regarding citizenship and India is no exception. In order to become a citizen in India, one has to meet certain specific criteria and meet the given requirements. The current Indian government has announced a recent initiative to record the customary residents of India on the spot. Each resident must present the required proof of citizenship to the government and register as a habitual resident.
According to the Government of India, the main reason for seeking citizenship is to obtain an estimated population in a given locality. This data will further help the state to evaluate the amount of government support and facilities that the government must allocate in this area.
The national population register differs from the census in its recording. While the Census records every resident of India, the NPR looks only at residents who meet the criteria of being an Indian citizen or habitually resident.
Criteria to be an ordinarily resident of India
The National Population Register records data on the usual residence of the locality. Habitual resident status can be obtained in one of two ways:
- The resident must have documents proving that they have resided in the area for more than six months in the past.
- The resident must provide evidence that they are willing to live in that particular local area for more than six months in the future.
If a resident can prove the authenticity of his claim of being a habitual resident of a particular area, his registration with the NPR will be successful.
Information conducted out within the national population register
The NPR will contain basic demographic information about registered residents. This information will include the following information:
- The name of the person under consideration.
- The relationship of the person with the head of the household.
- Father’s name and mother’s name of the residents.
- The gender, date and place of birth, the marital status, and the present address of the usual resident.
- If the person is married, the name of their spouse is mandatory as well.
- The nationality of the resident and the duration of their stay at the present address.
- Their educational qualification, occupation, and their permanent residential address.
Documents required to complete the NPR
No official documents or biometrics are included in NPR registration. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that all information recorded in the NPR will be verified. However, identification documents such as Aadhaar cards and passports may become mandatory for data transfer.
If any participant refuses to provide information, the officers have the right to impose a fine of INR 1000 on that person. A penalty of INR 1000 is also applicable in cases where the respondent provides incorrect information in any field. States are conducting several preliminary tests to analyze people's willingness to share their Aadhaar, Volter ID or PAN number with government officials. The results showed that people are willing to share their passport details, driving license, voter ID and Aadhaar number. However, many are reluctant to disclose their PAN number. This dilemma ultimately led to the removal of the PAN number from the criteria.
NPR and Census
The NPR and Census are simultaneous but different population records. The database of both population registers is also very different, even though they were launched together. The census covers every residence in India irrespective of their citizenship. On the other hand, NPR strictly records the actual citizens of India and their children or descendants.
Census is an essential tool that tracks India's growth as a nation. It assesses the government's past capabilities and assesses the country's future capabilities. The census also includes detailed data such as the literacy rate in various areas and the sex ratio. On the other hand, the NPR deals only with residence status in a specific area. It is a highly quantitative number, while the census is a detailed qualitative element.