## 5 Related Blockchain-Based National Population Census Work  
The exploration of blockchain technology for the housing and population census enumeration process is a recent development in the field of research. In the existing body of literature, ref. [44] introduces another relevant work. The researchers in [44] have proposed an infrastructure that integrates blockchain technology for census enumeration and internet voting applications. While these applications have distinct considerations and requirements, the researchers suggest using voting stations for census enumeration processing, indicating potential synergies between the two processes. The focus of the research has been on the cost and security aspects of the census enumeration process. Comparing blockchain technology with traditional models like the client-server model, cloud-based technology, and mobile-based services, the researchers assert that the blockchain offers superior security features [44].  
The proposed implementation involves using a private blockchain platform (multichain blockchain) that provides more control and privacy. They suggest building an isolated peer-to-peer infrastructure, which will be governed by the Indian government. This infrastructure will consist of 4689 fixed stations distributed across constituencies. The stations will be connected via fiber optic cables and will function as multichain nodes of the blockchain network [44].  
Given the explanation, there are a few considerable limitations of this blockchain-based proposal for the national population census, which are as follows:  
* The reliance on unique IDs, like Aadhaar, risks excluding portions of the population with lost or without proper identification, especially those in remote areas or with complex living arrangements.
* Allowing multiple family members to log in could compromise data quality and accuracy.
* The proposed peer-to-peer infrastructure with thousands of nodes connected via fiber optic cables seems impractical and extremely costly.
* Voter information has different requirements than typical census data collection. Combining this to the two-on-one blockchain system may not be optimal.
* Blockchain technology brings advantages like security, transparency, and decentralization. But factors like population coverage, efficient data collection, verification, and access control for different entities are equally critical for an effective census system.  
Nonetheless, India's overall literacy rate is 72% as of the year 2015 [45], as a person who can write their name in the Hindi language is also considered literate. Over 55% of Indians have access to broadband internet, and only 20% of Indians have the ability to use the internet [46]. The proposed online system might expand the gap in population coverage in the country.  
A pragmatic approach would likely incorporate blockchain technology selectively for certain aspects, like identity management or data integrity, while also investing in training enumerators, using hybrid data capture modes, and building inclusive identification systems. Table 2 presents a comparison between related work and our proposed solution.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Sr.**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Challenges of Centralized System**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Blockchain-Based Solution**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Potential Solution**} \\ \hline
2 & Ethnic and Racial Discrimination & & \\ \hline  & & & \\ \hline
3 & Privacy Concerns & resolve &
\begin{tabular}{c} Decentralization and \\ cryptographically secured, \\ immutable data \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline
4 & Census Data Distribution & resolve & Smart contracts \\ \hline
5 & Cost of Census & improve & Decentralization \\ \hline
6 & Cooperation and Participation & improve &
\begin{tabular}{c} Transparency and \\ accountability \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: _Cont._