Census India
Census is the decennial enumeration of India’s population.
Conducted by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Offers vital data on population size, literacy, sex ratio, density, employment, etc.
📝 PYQ (BPSC 66th): Census in India is conducted after how many years? → 10 years
Constitutional & Legal Provisions
- Census Act, 1948 provides the legal framework for conducting the census.
- Ensures data confidentiality.
- Not mentioned in the Constitution, but legally mandated by Parliamentary Act.
Historical Background
🔸 First Census (Pre-Independence)
- 1872: First partial Census of India (non-synchronous).
- Conducted under Lord Mayo, with support from W.C. Plowden, the first Census Commissioner.
- Covered only select areas, not entire country.
🔸 First Complete Census (Synchronous)
- 1881: First all-India synchronous census.
- Conducted under Lord Ripon, organized by Sir William Hunter.
- Marked the beginning of decennial census tradition.
🔸 Post-Independence
- First Census after Independence: 1951
- Registrar General of India (RGI) office established in 1949.
- So far, 15 Censuses have been completed (last in 2011).
📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): When was the first complete Census conducted in India? → 1881
Census 2011: India Overview
- Total Population: 121.08 crore
- Male: 62.37 crore, Female: 58.71 crore
- Growth Rate: 17.64% (down from 21.54% in 2001)
- Sex Ratio: 943 females / 1000 males (up from 933)
- Literacy:
- Total: 74.04%
- Male: 82.14%
- Female: 65.46%
- Population density: 382 persons/km²
📝 Expected: India's literacy rate in 2011? → 74.04%
Census 2011: State Comparisons
- Most Populous: Uttar Pradesh
- Least Populous: Sikkim
- Highest literacy: Kerala (93.91%)
- Lowest literacy: Bihar (63.82%)
- Highest Sex Ratio: Kerala (1084)
- Lowest Sex Ratio: Haryana (879)
📝 PYQ (BPSC 64th): Which state had highest population density as per Census 2011? → Bihar
Bihar in Census 2011
- Population: 10.40 crore (3rd in India)
- Population density: 1106/km² → Highest in India
- Sex Ratio: 918 females / 1000 males
- Literacy Rate: 63.82%
- Population Growth Rate: 25.42% (well above national average)
📝 PYQ (BPSC 68th): What was Bihar's population density as per 2011 Census? → 1106/km²
Census 2021: Delayed Digital Census
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Will be India’s first digital census
- Planned innovations:
- Mobile apps and self-enumeration portal
- Proposed linkages with Aadhaar and NPR
- Inclusion of data on caste, migration, internet access, transgender population
Importance of Census
Helps in:
- Policy formulation, resource allocation
- Welfare scheme targeting
- Delimitation of constituencies
- Reservation quotas, health, education planning
- Fundamental for Centre–State fund distribution
Quick Revision
- First partial Census: 1872, by W.C. Plowden, under Lord Mayo
- First full Census: 1881, under Lord Ripon, led by Sir William Hunter
- Last completed Census: 2011, Total population: 121.08 crore
- Bihar (2011): Population: 10.40 crore, density: 1106/km², Sex Ratio: 918, literacy: 63.82%
- Next Census: 2021 – First digital, delayed
Sources Used
- Census India Website – censusindia.gov.in
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Lucent GK – Indian Economy & Polity
- Drishti Bihar Special Book
- Ghatna Chakra PYQs (BPSC, DPSC)
- Spectrum Modern History – British Administration