Published Paper Details:

The Census 2011, being a nationwide enumeration of households and their characteristics, provides a comprehensive baseline understanding of the housing situation in rural India. It captures crucial data points such as the type of dwelling (pucca, semi-pucca, kutcha), the number of rooms, and the availability of basic amenities. This macro-level data highlights the extent of housing inadequacy across different regions and socio-economic groups. PMAY-G strategically leverages the detailed household-level information within the SECC 2011, a subset of the Census focused on socio-economic indicators, to pinpoint the most deprived families. The deprivation criteria outlined under PMAY-G, such as households with no shelter, living in kutcha houses with specific room limitations, households headed by single women, or those with disabled members, are directly derived from the data collected in SECC 2011. This targeted approach ensures that the benefits of the housing scheme reach those in the greatest need, promoting social equity and inclusive development. The Gram Sabha's involvement in validating the beneficiary lists generated from the SECC 2011 adds a layer of grassroots verification and ensures that local contexts and genuine needs are considered. While the Census 2011 provides the initial framework for identification, the ongoing implementation of PMAY-G and subsequent surveys may reveal evolving housing needs and demographic shifts that future census exercises will further illuminate, creating a continuous feedback loop for refining housing policies.