A census does not always count residents
The word census describes a collection approach, not one universal unit. An economic census concerns establishments and associated employment under its activity coverage. An agriculture census concerns operational holdings and operated land. These sources answer questions that a population census cannot, such as the historical structure of business activity or the distribution of holding sizes.
Use establishment data within its scope
The Sixth Economic Census covers 2013–14. Its main report describes establishments and employment, while the separately published directory covers establishments with ten or more workers. That directory is not a list of every business. MoSPI also notes incomplete directory schedules, so its entries need not match all eligible establishments in the main census.
An establishment, enterprise, owner, worker and resident are different units. For a business service, define which of those could be the customer and check the census’s economic-activity coverage. A historical establishment count does not establish how many businesses are active today or whether they need the proposed service.
Use holdings and land for agricultural questions
The Agriculture Census treats an operational holding as land operated for agricultural production as a technical unit. This is different from land ownership and does not necessarily identify a unique farmer, household or agricultural worker. The associated Input Survey addresses matters such as irrigation, seed, fertiliser and machinery.
Choose holdings, operated area or a relevant input-use measure according to the question. Holding-size classes may be more useful than an overall mean when examining services whose requirements depend on land area.
Distinguish methodology from released results
An instruction manual or announced census round establishes concepts and collection plans; it does not establish that final totals are available. The linked Agriculture Census materials document newer methodology, while any older results must retain their historical date. Check the actual results publication before replacing a dated figure or calculating growth across rounds with different definitions.