Census of Bihar
The 15th Census (2011) data for Bihar highlights demographic, literacy, and socio-economic patterns. Bihar’s population includes 53.5% in the 15–59 age group and 6.3% aged 60+. Highest literacy is in Rohtas (73.4%), lowest in Purnia (51.1%). Female literacy is lowest in Saharsa (41.7%). Patna leads in urbanization (43.1%), Sheohar has the highest density (1880/km²) and lowest ST% (0.01%). The Bihar Caste Survey (1931 baseline) found EBC 36%, BC 27%, SC 19.6%, ST 1.68%, and General 15.5%, with revised reservation quotas now totaling 75%.
16th Census
- First digital census
- Caste enumeration for the first time after Independence (Announced on 30 Apr 2025)
- 2 Phases
- House Listing (April 2026)
- Population enumeration (1 March 2027)
- Reference date
- 1 March 2027
- 1 October 2026 (Ladakh, J&K, HP, UK)
- Redraw Lok Sabha constituency after 2026 census (84th Amendment)
- 33% Women Reservation (106 Amendment)
- No mention of NPR
- COVID-19 (postponed)
History of Census
- First census → Lord Mayo (1872)
- Regular decennial census → Lord Ripon (since 1881)
- 15th census (2011)
- Motto: "Our census Our future"
- Census commissioner: C. Chandramouli
Act & Authority
- Census Act 1948 & Census Rules 1990
- Registrar General of India (MHA)
Bihar: Census 2011 (15th)
- Population: 10.41 crore (females 47.8%)
- Urban: 11.3%
- Sex ratio: 918
- Child sex ratio (0–6 years): 935
- Literacy: 61.8%
- Male literacy: 71.2%
- Female literacy: 51.5%
- Growth in Literacy (2001–11): 17.9%
- Urban Literacy: 76.9%
- Rural Literacy: 59.8%
- SC %: 15.91%
- ST %: 1.3%
- Population density: 1106/km²
- Population % (0–14): 40.2%
- Population % (15–59): 53.5%
- Population % (60 & Above): 6.3%
Largest / Highest / Most
Area
- 1st Rank: West Champaran
- 2nd Rank: Gaya
- 3rd Rank: East Champaran
Population
- 1st Rank: Patna (58.4 Lakh)
- 2nd Rank: East Champaran
- 3rd Rank: Muzaffarpur
Population (decadal growth rate)
- 1st Rank: Madhepura
- 2nd Rank: Kishanganj
- 3rd Rank: Araria & Khagaria
Urbanization
- 1st Rank: Patna (43.1%)
- 2nd Rank: Munger
- 3rd Rank: Bhagalpur
Population density
- 1st Rank: Sheohar (1880)
- 2nd Rank: Patna
- 3rd Rank: Darbhanga
Sex ratio
- 1st Rank: Gopalganj (1021)
- 2nd Rank: Siwan
- 3rd Rank: Saran
Child sex ratio
- 1st Rank: Kishanganj (971)
- 2nd Rank: Katihar
- 3rd Rank: Gaya
Literacy
- 1st Rank: Rohtas (73.4%)
- 2nd Rank: Patna
- 3rd Rank: Bhojpur
Male literacy
- 1st Rank: Rohtas
- 2nd Rank: Bhojpur
- 3rd Rank: Buxar
Female literacy
- 1st Rank: Rohtas (63%)
- 2nd Rank: Munger
- 3rd Rank: Patna
Urban literacy
- 1st Rank: Kaimur (82.6%)
- 2nd Rank: Patna
- 3rd Rank: Munger
Rural literacy
- 1st Rank: Rohtas (72.5%)
- 2nd Rank: Aurangabad
- 3rd Rank: Bhojpur
SC %
- 1st Rank: Gaya (30.39%)
- 2nd Rank: Nawada
- 3rd Rank: Aurangabad
SC Population
- 1st Rank: Gaya
- 2nd Rank: —
- 3rd Rank: —
ST %
- 1st Rank: West Champaran (6.35%)
- 2nd Rank: Katihar
- 3rd Rank: Jamui
ST Population
- 1st Rank: West Champaran
- 2nd Rank: —
- 3rd Rank: —
Religion (Population)
- 1st Rank: Hinduism
- 2nd Rank: Islam
- 3rd Rank: Christianity
Religion Population %
- 1st Rank: Hinduism
- 2nd Rank: Islam
- 3rd Rank: Christianity
Literacy (by Religion)
- 1st Rank: Jainism
- 2nd Rank: Sikhism
- 3rd Rank: Christianity
Sex Ratio (by Religion)
- 1st Rank: Christianity
- 2nd Rank: Islam
- 3rd Rank: Hinduism
Smallest / Lowest / Least
Area
- 1st Rank: Sheohar
- 2nd Rank: Arwal
- 3rd Rank: Sheikhpura
Population
- 1st Rank: Sheikhpura
- 2nd Rank: Sheohar
- 3rd Rank: Arwal
Population Decadal Growth Rate
- 1st Rank: Arwal (18.89%)
- 2nd Rank: Gopalganj (19.02%)
- 3rd Rank: Darbhanga
Urbanization
- 1st Rank: Samastipur & Banka (3.47%)
- 2nd Rank: Madhubani
- 3rd Rank: Kaimur
Population Density
- 1st Rank: Kaimur (488)
- 2nd Rank: Jamui
- 3rd Rank: Banka
Sex Ratio
- 1st Rank: Munger (876)
- 2nd Rank: Bhagalpur
- 3rd Rank: Khagaria
Child Sex Ratio
- 1st Rank: Vaishali (904)
- 2nd Rank: Patna
- 3rd Rank: Muzaffarpur
Literacy
- 1st Rank: Purnia (51.1%)
- 2nd Rank: Sitamarhi
- 3rd Rank: Katihar
Male Literacy
- 1st Rank: Purnia
- 2nd Rank: Katihar
- 3rd Rank: Sitamarhi
Bihar Caste Survey
- 1931 – First Caste Census in India.
- Findings:
- EBC 36.01%
- BC 27.12%
- SC 19.65%
- ST 1.68%
- General 15.52%
- Hindu 81.99% (Highest)
- Jain 0.009% (Lowest)
- Reservation Increased from 60% to 75% (Patna HC struck down in June 2024; Sub judice in SC).
- New figures:
- EBC 25%
- BC 18%
- SC 20%
- ST 2%
- EWS 10%
- UR 25%