Importance of Census
The Census of India is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of demographic, social, and economic data about the country. Conducted every ten years, it provides essential insights into population trends, distribution, and growth patterns. This data plays a crucial role in policy planning, governance, and resource allocation across states and Union Territories.
Census data is pivotal for both government and academic purposes:
- Policy Formulation: Accurate population data helps in designing effective welfare schemes, health programs, and education policies.
- Electoral Planning: Census information is used for delimitation of constituencies and determining the allocation of seats in Parliament and state assemblies.
- Infrastructure Development: Governments use population density and demographic trends to plan roads, schools, hospitals, and urban development projects.
- Research & Academia: Scholars and institutions rely on census data for social, economic, and environmental research.
- Government Exams & UPSC: For aspirants of civil services, understanding census data is crucial as questions related to population, literacy, sex ratio, and state-wise statistics frequently appear in exams.
The Census of India not only reflects the demographic makeup of the nation but also provides a historical record of India’s growth and change, making it a vital tool for strategic decision-making.
Census of India – 2011 Data
The 2011 Census of India was the 15th national census conducted by the Government of India. It provided a detailed snapshot of India’s population, demographics, and socio-economic indicators, serving as a key reference for policy-making and research.
Some highlights of the 2011 Census include:
- Total Population: India recorded a population of 1,210,854,977, marking a growth of 17.7% compared to the 2001 Census.
- Population Distribution: The urban population increased to 31.16%, reflecting ongoing urbanization trends.
- States with Highest Population: Uttar Pradesh remained the most populous state, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar.
- Literacy and Sex Ratio: The literacy rate improved to 74.04%, and the sex ratio reached 940 females per 1000 males, showing gradual social progress.
The 2011 Census also included data on languages, caste demographics, employment patterns, and migration trends, making it an essential dataset for governance, planning, and academic research.
This census remains a critical reference point for UPSC and other government exams, as questions often relate to state-wise statistics, population trends, and socio-economic indicators derived from this dataset.
Facts – Census 2011
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,210,854,977 (1.21 billion) |
| Male Population | 623,724,248 (51.54%) |
| Female Population | 586,469,174 (48.46%) |
| Population Density | 382 persons per square kilometer |
| Sex Ratio | 940 females per 1,000 males |
| Child Sex Ratio (0-6 yrs) | 919 females per 1,000 males |
| Literacy Rate | 74.04% (Male: 82.14%, Female: 65.46%) |
| Urban Population | 377.1 million (31.16%) |
| Rural Population | 833.1 million (68.84%) |
| Decadal Growth Rate | 17.64% (2001–2011) |
| Child Population (0-6 yrs) | 13.12% of total population |
| Most Populous State | Uttar Pradesh (199.5 million) |
| Least Populous State | Sikkim (610,577) |
| Highest Literacy Rate | Kerala (93.91%) |
| Lowest Literacy Rate | Bihar (63.82%) |
| Highest Sex Ratio | Kerala (1,084 females per 1,000 males) |
| Lowest Sex Ratio | Haryana (877 females per 1,000 males) |
| Highest Population Density | Bihar (1,106 persons per sq. km) |
| Lowest Population Density | Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons per sq. km) |
Total Population – 2011 Census
The 2011 Census of India recorded the total population of the country as 1,210,854,977, reflecting significant growth over the 2001 Census. The population distribution varied widely across states, showing differences in density, urbanization, and growth trends. The table below provides the state-wise total population as per the 2011 Census:
Population Density
Population density refers to the number of people living per square kilometer in a given area. The 2011 Census of India shows significant variation across states, reflecting differences in geography, urbanization, and population distribution. Higher density indicates more crowded regions, while lower density often corresponds to hilly or remote areas.
Sex Ratio
The sex ratio is the number of females per 1,000 males in a population. The 2011 Census of India shows improvements in the overall sex ratio compared to 2001, though variations exist across different states and Union Territories. Monitoring sex ratio helps in understanding gender balance and planning social welfare initiatives.
Literacy Rate
The literacy rate indicates the percentage of people aged seven and above who can read and write with understanding. According to the 2011 Census, India’s overall literacy rate increased to 74.04%, with significant variation across states and Union Territories. Male literacy remains higher than female literacy in most regions, highlighting the need for focused educational initiatives for women.
| State/UT | Overall Literacy Rate (%) | Male Literacy (%) | Female Literacy (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 93.91 | 96.02 | 92.07 |
| Mizoram | 91.33 | 92.65 | 90.04 |
| Tripura | 87.75 | 92.18 | 83.14 |
| Maharashtra | 82.34 | 88.38 | 75.87 |
| Goa | 88.70 | 92.86 | 84.66 |
| Tamil Nadu | 80.33 | 86.77 | 73.86 |
| Gujarat | 78.03 | 85.75 | 69.68 |
| West Bengal | 77.08 | 82.67 | 71.16 |
| Karnataka | 75.36 | 82.85 | 67.94 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 67.02 | 74.88 | 59.15 |
| Odisha | 72.87 | 81.59 | 64.01 |
| Punjab | 75.84 | 80.44 | 70.73 |
| Haryana | 75.55 | 84.06 | 65.94 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 69.32 | 78.73 | 59.24 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 67.68 | 77.28 | 57.18 |
| Bihar | 63.82 | 73.39 | 53.33 |
| Jharkhand | 66.41 | 76.84 | 55.42 |
| Assam | 72.19 | 75.89 | 68.55 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 82.80 | 89.53 | 75.93 |
| Uttarakhand | 78.82 | 87.40 | 70.01 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 68.74 | 78.26 | 58.01 |
| Sikkim | 81.42 | 86.58 | 75.61 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 86.27 | 90.75 | 81.88 |
| Chandigarh | 86.43 | 90.81 | 81.93 |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 76.24 | 83.16 | 68.97 |
| Daman & Diu | 87.07 | 89.95 | 83.82 |
| Lakshadweep | 92.28 | 96.11 | 88.33 |
| Puducherry | 85.85 | 90.78 | 80.98 |
UPSC Related Questions – Census of India 2011
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What was the total population of India as per the 2011 Census? | 1,210,854,977 |
| 2. Which state had the highest population in 2011? | Uttar Pradesh (199.58 million) |
| 3. Which state had the lowest population in 2011? | Sikkim (610,577) |
| 4. What was the population growth rate during 2001–2011? | 17.64% |
| 5. What was the total urban population in 2011? | 377.1 million (31.16%) |
| 6. What was the total rural population in 2011? | 833.1 million (68.84%) |
| 7. Which state had the highest population density? | Bihar (1,106 persons/sq. km) |
| 8. Which state had the lowest population density? | Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq. km) |
| 9. What was the overall literacy rate in 2011? | 74.04% |
| 10. Which state had the highest literacy rate? | Kerala (93.91%) |
| 11. Which state had the lowest literacy rate? | Bihar (63.82%) |
| 12. What was the overall sex ratio in India in 2011? | 940 females per 1,000 males |
| 13. Which state had the highest sex ratio? | Kerala (1,084 females per 1,000 males) |
| 14. Which state had the lowest sex ratio? | Haryana (877 females per 1,000 males) |
| 15. What percentage of India’s population were children (0–6 years) in 2011? | 13.12% |
| 16. Which state had the highest child population (0–6 years)? | Uttar Pradesh |
| 17. Which state had the lowest child population (0–6 years)? | Sikkim |
| 18. What was the male literacy rate in India in 2011? | 82.14% |
| 19. What was the female literacy rate in India in 2011? | 65.46% |
| 20. Which Union Territory had the highest literacy rate? | Lakshadweep (92.28%) |
| 21. Which Union Territory had the lowest literacy rate? | Dadra & Nagar Haveli (76.24%) |
| 22. Which state recorded the highest urban population? | Maharashtra |
| 23. Which state recorded the lowest urban population? | Arunachal Pradesh |
| 24. What was the population of Delhi in 2011? | 16,787,941 |
| 25. Which state had the maximum increase in population between 2001 and 2011? | Uttar Pradesh |
| 26. Which state had the minimum increase in population between 2001 and 2011? | Sikkim |
| 27. What was the literacy rate of Himachal Pradesh in 2011? | 82.80% |
| 28. Which state had the highest female literacy rate? | Kerala |
| 29. Which state had the lowest female literacy rate? | Bihar |
| 30. How many states and Union Territories were covered in the 2011 Census? | 29 states and 7 UTs |
Frequently Asked Questions on Census of India 2011
1. What is the Census of India?
The Census of India is a nationwide exercise conducted every 10 years to collect demographic, social, and economic data of the population.
2. When was the 2011 Census conducted?
The Census of India 2011 was conducted in two phases: House Listing (April–September 2010) and Population Enumeration (9–28 February 2011).
3. Who conducts the Census in India?
The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for conducting the Census.
4. How often is the Census conducted in India?
The Census is conducted every 10 years. The last completed Census before 2011 was in 2001.
5. What was the total population of India in 2011?
The total population recorded was 1,210,854,977.
6. Which state had the highest population according to the 2011 Census?
Uttar Pradesh was the most populous state with 199.58 million people.
7. Which state had the lowest population in 2011?
Sikkim had the lowest population, totaling 610,577.
8. What was India’s overall literacy rate in 2011?
The literacy rate increased to 74.04%, with male literacy at 82.14% and female literacy at 65.46%.
9. What was the overall sex ratio in India in 2011?
The sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males.
10. Which state had the highest literacy rate?
Kerala, with a literacy rate of 93.91%, had the highest literacy among all states.
11. Which state had the lowest literacy rate?
Bihar had the lowest literacy rate at 63.82%.
12. How is census data used for governance?
Census data helps in policy formulation, resource allocation, urban planning, electoral delimitation, and socio-economic research.
13. What is the population density of India as per 2011 Census?
The national average was 382 persons per square kilometer, with variations across states.
14. What percentage of India’s population lives in urban areas according to the 2011 Census?
Approximately 31.16% of India’s population lived in urban areas.
15. Why is the Census important for UPSC and other government exams?
Census data provides essential facts and statistics on population, literacy, sex ratio, and density, frequently asked in exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs.
