<h1>Census delay undermines population based welfare eligibility and impairs allocation of programmatic resources.</h1> Delay in conducting the national census affects entitlement eligibility and planning for population based welfare schemes, with significant lapses in authorised census appropriations across consecutive years. Under utilisation of Home Ministry budgets for border infrastructure and police modernisation has governance and security implications, including reported illicit cross border inflows and paramilitary staffing shortfalls, and undermines disaster management preparedness.