UoH, Census Directorate sign MoU for advanced data research hub

■ UoH and Directorate of Census Operations sign MoU to set up advanced Census Micro-Data Workstation

■ Facility enables secure access to detailed census data for high-level research and policy analysis

■ Open to qualified researchers nationwide with strong data security and advanced analytics tools

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a significant step toward strengthening data-driven research and public policy analysis, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Census Operations (DCO), Telangana, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The partnership will establish a dedicated Census Micro-Data Workstation at the School of Economics on the university campus, enabling researchers to access anonymized, record-level census data for advanced academic and policy research.

The facility was inaugurated in the presence of senior university administrators and government officials, marking a major boost to research infrastructure in southern India. The workstation is expected to open new avenues for in-depth demographic studies, customized socio-economic analysis, and evidence-based policy formulation.

Officials said the workstation would provide secure access to detailed datasets that go beyond publicly available aggregate data. Researchers will be able to generate specialized cross-tabulations and undertake high-level statistical modelling to support developmental planning at regional and national levels.

A joint steering committee comprising members from UoH and the DCO will oversee the approval of research proposals. Notably, the facility will be open not only to university scholars but also to qualified external researchers, ensuring wider academic participation.

Speaking on the occasion, officials emphasized that strict data security protocols would be followed to maintain confidentiality and integrity of census records.

The MoU exchange took place in the presence of key representatives, including Director Bharati Hollikeri, Deputy Registrar General R. Gyanashekar, and Assistant Directors Rajiv Adhikari and Gurvinder Singh from the Census Directorate. From UoH, Vice-Chancellor (In-charge) Prof. J. Anuradha, Registrar Dr. Devesh Nigam, and senior faculty members of the School of Economics attended the event.

The state-of-the-art facility, spread across 1,000 square feet on the university’s East Campus, is equipped with high-end servers, advanced computing systems, and statistical software such as SPSS and STATA.

UoH, recognized as an Institution of Eminence, is known for its excellence in higher education and research, while the Directorate of Census Operations plays a crucial role in conducting India’s population census and maintaining vital demographic data.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance academic research capabilities and contribute to informed policymaking in the country.