India is likely to begin a long-delayed census in September, reports news agency Reuters, quoting two government sources, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks to plug important data gaps in his third term after years of criticism. The census was due to be completed in 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to the sources, the census will likely take 18 months to be completed after it begins next month. Economists within the government and outside have criticised the delay in the latest census as it impacts the quality of many other statistical surveys, including economic data, inflation, and job estimates. 

At present, most of these data sets and government schemes based on their results are based on the last population census released in 2011. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which takes the lead in conducting the census, and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation have drawn up a timeline and are aiming to release results by March 2026, covering a period of 15 years, the officials said.

The final permission to begin the process from Prime Minister Narendra Modi is awaited, one of the two officials said. According to a United Nations report released last year, India overtook China as the world's most populous nation last year. According to Reuters, the home affairs and statistics ministries did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

The government is also trying to overhaul its economic data, including retail inflation, and include a reweighting of its different categories, including food, to reflect changes in consumption patterns.

(With input from agencies)