The Census Act, 1948

(1) This Act may be called the Census Act, 1948. 1[(2) It extends to the whole of India 2* * *].

1[2. Definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) "premises" means any land, building or part of a building and includes a hut, shed or otherstructure or any part thereof; (b) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (c) "vehicle" means any vehicle used or capable of being used for the purpose of road transport,whether propelled by mechanical power or otherwise.

2A. [Rule of construction respecting enactments not extending to Jammu and Kashmir.] Omitted bythe Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020, vide notification No.S.O. 1123(E) dated (18-3-2020) and vide Union Territory of Ladakh Reorganisation (Adaptation ofCentral Laws) Order, 2020, notification No. S.O. 3774(E), dated (23-10-2020).

The Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, declare its intention of taking a census in the whole or any part of the territories to whichthis Act extends, whenever it may consider it necessary or desirable so to do, and there upon the censusshall be taken.

(1) The Central Government may appoint a Census Commissionerto supervise the taking of the census throughout the area in which the census is intended to be taken,and 1[Directors of Census Operations] to supervise the taking of the census within the several States. (2) The State Government may appoint persons as census-officers 2[with such designations as thatGovernment may deem necessary] to take, or aid in or supervise the taking of, the census within anyspecified local area and such persons, when so appointed, shall be bound to serve accordingly. (3) A declaration in writing, signed by any authority authorised by the State Government in thisbehalf, that any person has been duly appointed a census-officer for any local area shall be conclusiveproof of such appointment. (4) The State Government may delegate to such authority as it thinks fit the power of appointingcensus-officers conferred by sub-section (2).