In the context of growing uneven development within and across the region, the issue of migration has become an arena of scholarly interest in recent times. Researchers across the disciplines mostly rely on the two major secondary sources, such as Census and NSS, to analyse the migration scenario; however, their studies are either based on national-level analysis or confined to specific states. Odisha, being a backward state with widespread migration, has received limited attention. The existing micro studies on this regard are limited; hence, difficult to analyse the general situation of the state as a whole. On the other hand, though NSS data offers valuable insights on migration, solely provides regional dimensions to migration and overlooks the analysis at the district level. This is considered as critical since the district is an essential unit for capturing migration flows. Therefore, the census becomes the viable alternative source to provide comprehensive data on diverse aspects of migration, enabling the mapping of broad migration patterns at both the state and district levels. In light of this, a state like Odisha, which lacks a comprehensive macro-analysis on the general trend and pattern of migration at the district level and for the state as a whole, deserves significant research emphasis. Hence, the present paper makes an attempt to analyse the emerging trend, and pattern of migration in Odisha while taking 2001 and 2011 Census data into consideration.
Subhashree Subhasmita Mohanty (Fri,) studied this question.