Preface

The advancement in computing technology in recent years has witnessed quantum jump in data
processing speed and data storage capacities. Information Technology has also brought about
radical changes in the way the data is processed into information and disseminated. The popularity of
Personal Computers and the advent of Internet have led to an increasing demand for data. Also,
there has been a paradigm shift in the quality and presentation of data demanded by stakeholders
and other users. New software tools have enhanced considerably the capabilities of viewing and
interpreting data. One such software that has increased tremendously the power of spatial data
analysis is the Geographic Information System (GIS), which is fast becoming a major decision making
tool for the Indian administrators and managers both within and outside the Government.

In tune with the new demands of the data users, the Office of the Registrar General and
Census Commissioner, India decided to develop a user friendly CD-ROM that not only will provide
census data through conventional tables and graphs in electronic format but also package into it a
GIS tool for enhancing the capability of viewing the data through maps. Demystifying the GIS and
putting it into public domain at negligible cost for its wider use and application, is the prime objective
of this effort.