(Wl-711)-Beyond the Census

This letter responds to the editorial “A Call for Timely Census” (EPW, 10 May 2025), emphasizing that while a timely census is essential, it alone cannot address the complexities of India’s dynamic migration patterns. Migrant workers remain marginalized due to outdated data and a lack of systemic reforms. The letter stresses the need to complement the census with decentralized and real-time data systems, enabling a more accurate understanding of mobility and informality. It highlights Kerala’s migrant tracking initiatives as a model for improving migration governance and bridging critical data gaps.