India approves funds for census, population register

India's federal cabinet has approved funds for a census and population survey to be conducted next year.

More than AED 6.5 billion will be set aside for carrying out the census and updating the National Population Register (NPR).

The census will collect data on population, economic activity, as well as social and cultural aspects, while the NPR is intended to create a comprehensive identity database of every resident of India.

The move comes amid concerns that the data could be used to build a controversial citizens register, but the government has denied such claims.

The country has seen widespread protests in recent days against a new law which aims to fast-track citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from neighbouring Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.