📌 Chapter Snapshot
15
Censuses in India so far
1872
First Census (Lord Mayo)
2011
7th Census post-Independence
121.08 Cr
Population (2011)
- Census is a decennial (10-yearly) population count of the country, providing the foundational demographic database for planning and policy.
- This chapter covers: history of census in India & globally, constitutional/administrative position, and detailed Census 2011 statistics including sex ratio, literacy, density, and state-wise extremes.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Census is a Union List subject (Article 246, 7th Schedule) — conducted by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
🕰 History of Census in India
First conducted1872 (by Lord Mayo)
First systematic census1881 (by Lord Ripon)
Total censuses conducted15 completed through 2011; Census 2027 scheduled as the 16th
Census 20117th census after independence
First post-independence census1951
⚠ EXAM TRAP
1872 census (Lord Mayo) was the first attempt but non-synchronous; 1881 (Lord Ripon) was the first synchronous/systematic census — exams often test "first" vs "first systematic" separately.
🌍 Global Census History
- Sweden: the world's oldest continuous national population statistics began in 1749.
- First U.S. decennial census → United States, 1790.
📉 Malthusian Theory & the "Great Divide"
- Malthusian Theory of Population is closely linked with census-based population studies (checks on population growth).
- "Year of Great Divide" → 1921 — population grew rapidly after this year, marking a clear demographic turning point in India.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
1911–1921 is the only decade in Indian census history with Negative Population Growth (−0.31%) — right before the "Great Divide" of 1921.
⚖ Administrative & Constitutional Aspect
SubjectUnion List (7th Schedule)
Constitutional ArticleArticle 246
Central Census Organisation / Permanent Field StructureCentral organisation set up 1949; permanent State/UT field structure after Census 1961
Administering MinistryMinistry of Home Affairs
Top Central OfficialRegistrar General & Census Commissioner of India
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Census is a Union List subject under Article 246 — state governments have no legislative power over it, unlike many other population/welfare-related subjects in the Concurrent List.
📋 Census 2011 — Basic Details
Registrar General & Census CommissionerDr. C. Chandramauli
Home SecretaryMr. G.K. Pillai
Motto'Our Census, Our Future'
States and UTs35
Total Districts640
📊 Key Statistics of Census 2011
121.08 Cr
Total Population
943
Sex Ratio (F/1000 M)
72.98%
Literacy Rate
382/km²
Population Density
Total Population1,21,08,54,977 (~121.08 crore)
Population aged 0–6 years16,44,78,150 (13.60%)
Urban Population31.16%
Decadal Growth Rate17.70%
Annual Growth Rate1.64%
Sex Ratio943 females per 1000 males
Literacy Rate (Overall)72.98%
Literacy Rate (Male)80.88%
Literacy Rate (Female)64.63%
Population Density382 persons per sq km
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Gender literacy gap 2011 = 80.88% (M) − 64.63% (F) = 16.25 percentage points — a commonly asked calculation-based question.
🏆 Highest & Lowest States — Census 2011
| Metric | Highest State | Lowest State |
|---|---|---|
| Population (in millions) | Uttar Pradesh (~199.8) | Sikkim (~0.61) |
| Sex Ratio (females/1000 males) | Kerala (1084) | Haryana (879) |
| Literacy Rate | Kerala (~94%) | Bihar (61.8%) |
| Population Density (persons/sq km) | Bihar (1,106) | Arunachal Pradesh (17) |
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Bihar is highest in Population Density (1,106/km²) but lowest in Literacy Rate (61.8%) among major states — don't mix up these two separate Bihar rankings.
📋 Master Quick-Revision Table
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Oldest Continuous National Population Statistics | Sweden, 1749 |
| First U.S. Decennial Census | United States (1790) |
| India's First Census | 1872 (by Lord Mayo) |
| India's First Systematic Census | 1881 (by Lord Ripon) |
| Total Censuses Conducted in India | 15 completed through 2011; Census 2027 scheduled as the 16th |
| Census 2011 — Number after Independence | 7th Census after independence |
| First Post-Independence Census | 1951 |
| Census — Constitutional Article | Article 246 | Union List (7th Schedule) |
| Central Census Organisation | Central organisation 1949; permanent State/UT field structure after 1961 Census; Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Year of Great Divide | 1921 | Rapid population increase after this |
| Census 2011 — Registrar General | Dr. C. Chandramauli |
| Census 2011 — Motto | 'Our Census, Our Future' |
| States and UTs (2011) | 35 | Total Districts: 640 |
| Total Population (2011) | 1,21,08,54,977 (~121.08 crore) |
| Population 0–6 years | 16,44,78,150 (13.60%) |
| Urban Population | 31.16% |
| Decadal Growth Rate | 17.70% |
| Annual Growth Rate | 1.64% |
| Sex Ratio | 943 females per 1000 males |
| Literacy Rate | 72.98% | Male: 80.88% | Female: 64.63% |
| Population Density | 382 persons per sq km |
| Highest Population State | Uttar Pradesh (~199.8 million) |
| Lowest Population State | Sikkim (~0.61 million) |
| Highest Sex Ratio | Kerala (1084) |
| Lowest Sex Ratio | Haryana (879) |
| Highest Literacy Rate | Kerala (~94%) |
| Lowest Literacy Rate | Bihar (61.8%) |
| Highest Population Density | Bihar — 1,106 persons/sq km |
| Lowest Population Density | Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq km) |
| Negative Population Growth Period | 1911–1921 | Growth Rate: −0.31% |