Master10

Census of India: 2011 Demographics, Literacy & Sex Ratio

The Census of India operates under the statutory authority of the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, executed by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGCCI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, demographic enumeration is an exclusive Union subject listed under Entry 69 of List I. Modern census operations began in 1872 under Viceroy Lord Mayo as a non-synchronous compilation, followed by the first complete synchronous decennial census in 1881 under Viceroy Lord Ripon, led by Census Commissioner W.C. Plowden. The year 1921 is historically designated the "Year of the Great Divide" because it recorded India's only negative decadal population growth rate (-0.31 percent), caused by the 1918 influenza pandemic and widespread famines.

The 2011 Census was the fifteenth national enumeration and seventh post-independence census, recording India's population at 1.21 billion with a decadal growth rate of 17.70 percent. Population density rose to 382 persons per square kilometer, with Bihar recording the highest state density (1,106 persons/km²) and Arunachal Pradesh the lowest (17 persons/km²). The national sex ratio stood at 943 females per 1,000 males, led by Kerala at 1,084, while Haryana recorded the lowest at 879. The child sex ratio (0-to-6 years) fell to 918 females per 1,000 males. National literacy reached 74.04 percent (male literacy 82.14 percent, female literacy 65.46 percent), led by Kerala at 94.00 percent while Bihar recorded 61.80 percent.

India's demographic profile reflects Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model, marked by declining fertility, reduced infant mortality, and an expanding working-age population aged fifteen to sixty-four (the demographic dividend). Census metrics supply the constitutional baseline for legislative delimitation under Articles 82 and 170, horizontal fiscal transfers by Finance Commissions, and targeted welfare distribution. In UPSC CSE, SSC CGL, and State PSC examinations, Indian demography is a core recurrent theme. Candidates are examined on the statutory provisions of the Census Act 1948, the significance of the 1921 Great Divide, 2011 state rankings in literacy and sex ratios, child sex ratio trends, and policy frameworks capitalizing on the demographic dividend.
Reviewed by the Master10 Editorial Board for accuracy, clarity and competitive-exam relevance.Editorial Policy

Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts

Review key Census of India: Historical Milestones, 2011 Data & Demographics exam facts and rate your mastery to track revision.

Progress: 0/15 Rated 0 Mastered 0 Review Later
  1. #1
    The Census of India is conducted decennially under the Census Act 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (Ministry of Home Affairs).
  2. #2
    The first non-synchronous census took place in 1872 under Lord Mayo; the first synchronous nationwide census occurred in 1881 under Lord Ripon.
  3. #3
    The year 1921 is designated the 'Year of the Great Divide' as it recorded India's only negative decadal population growth rate (-0.31%).
  4. #4
    Census 2011 registered India's population at 1.21 billion, with a population density of 382 per sq km and a national sex ratio of 943 females per 1,000 males.
  5. #5
    The national literacy rate stood at 74.04% in 2011 (82.14% for males, 65.46% for females), with Kerala recording the highest (94.0%) and Bihar the lowest (61.8%).
  6. #6
    Census is a Union subject enumerated under Entry 69 of the Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.
  7. #7
    India's decadal population growth rate during 2001–2011 was 17.7%, with Meghalaya recording the highest decadal growth (27.9%) and Nagaland recording negative growth (-0.6%).
  8. #8
    Uttar Pradesh was India's most populous state in Census 2011 with 199.8 million inhabitants, while Sikkim was the least populous state with 610,577 people.
  9. #9
    Bihar recorded the highest population density among Indian states in 2011 at 1,106 persons per square kilometre, while Arunachal Pradesh recorded the lowest at 17 persons per square kilometre.
  10. #10
    The child sex ratio (0–6 years) declined from 927 females per 1,000 males in 2001 to 919 in 2011, with Haryana recording the lowest ratio among states at 834.
  11. #11
    Kerala recorded the highest overall sex ratio in Census 2011 at 1,084 females per 1,000 males, whereas Daman and Diu recorded the lowest among all territories at 618.
  12. #12
    Urbanization in India reached 31.16% in Census 2011, with Goa ranking as the most urbanized state (62.2%) and Himachal Pradesh the least urbanized (10.0%).
  13. #13
    Scheduled Castes (SCs) constituted 16.6% (201.4 million) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) constituted 8.6% (104.3 million) of India's total population in 2011.
  14. #14
    The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India dropped to 2.0 children per woman according to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019–21), falling below the replacement level of 2.1.
  15. #15
    Census 2011 was the 15th National Census of India since 1872 and the 7th Census conducted following independence in 1947.

Subject Specialist Commentary

Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board

Educator's Insight
The Census of India provides essential demographic data for governance and development planning. Conducted decennially by the Registrar General under the Census Act of 1948, it is a Union subject under the Seventh Schedule. While the first synchronous census occurred in 1881 under Lord Ripon, 1921 is known as the Great Divide because it recorded India's only negative growth rate. Census 2011 registered India's population at 1.21 billion.
For SSC CGL and UPSC Prelims exams, demographic data from Census 2011 are perennial question favorites. Keep these key statistics handy: the national sex ratio was 943 females per 1,000 males, literacy was 74.04 percent, and population density stood at 382 per square kilometer. Watch out for a common prelims trap regarding population growth: while Meghalaya recorded the highest decadal growth at 27.9 percent, Nagaland recorded negative growth at minus 0.6 percent.

Related Knowledge Topics to Discover

Indian Polity & Constitution
Indian Constitution & Fundamental Rights

Explore the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the Indian Constitution, constitutional remedies, and judicial safeguards.

Explore Topic
Indian Polity & Constitution
Supreme Court & Indian Judicial System

Learn how the Supreme Court of India functions, from original and appellate jurisdictions to judicial review, the collegium system, and basic structure.

Explore Topic
Indian Economy
National Income Accounting: GDP, GNP, NNP & GVA

Understand how national income is calculated in India, comparing GDP, GNP, NNP, and Gross Value Added at market prices and factor costs.

Explore Topic
Census, Population & Demographics
What Is a Census and Why Does a Country Conduct One?

Discover the history and methodology of national censuses, exploring population enumeration techniques, demographic data collection, and civic planning.

Explore Topic
Census, Population & Demographics
What Is a Census Town and How Is It Different from a Statutory Town?

Understand the difference between a Census Town and a Statutory Town in India. Learn the 3 Census criteria, 74th Amendment, and rural governance paradoxes.

Explore Topic
Census, Population & Demographics
What Is a Census Enumerator and How Does Census Data Get Collected?

Learn about census enumerators in India, statutory powers under Census Act 1948, the two-phase canvasser method, mobile digital census, and legal mandates.

Explore Topic

Looking for more GK practice?

Explore 52,789+ questions across 65 General Knowledge categories.

Open Interactive Search