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Census of India GK Questions & Answers
The decennial Census of India constitutes one of the largest administrative exercises in modern demographics, conducted under the statutory authority of the Census Act, 1948, and administered by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs. India's first non-synchronous census occurred in 1872 under Viceroy Lord Mayo, followed by the first complete synchronous census in 1881 supervised by Census Commissioner W.C. Plowden during Lord Ripon's viceroyalty. The 1921 Census is historically classified as the 'Year of the Great Divide' due to an absolute decadal population decline (growth rate of -0.31 percent) caused by the 1918 influenza pandemic and famines, after which Indian demographic growth remained consistently positive. The 15th National Census (Census 2011) recorded a total population of 1,210.85 million (1.21 billion), reflecting a decadal growth rate of 17.70 percent. Census 2011 documented an overall sex ratio of 943 females per 1,000 males, a child sex ratio (0–6 years) of 918, a national population density of 382 persons per square kilometre, and an effective literacy rate of 74.04 percent (Kerala leading at 94.00 percent, Bihar lowest at 61.80 percent).
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Census of India is conducted decennially under the Census Act 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (Ministry of Home Affairs).
The first non-synchronous census took place in 1872 under Lord Mayo; the first synchronous nationwide census occurred in 1881 under Lord Ripon.
The year 1921 is designated the 'Year of the Great Divide' as it recorded India's only negative decadal population growth rate (-0.31%).
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.
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%).
Showing 25 Curated Questions684 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-DEMO-00001
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Under which British Viceroy was the first synchronized (complete) decennial Census conducted across India in 1881?
Verified Explanation
While the first non-synchronous census was held under Lord Mayo in 1872, the first synchronous, complete decennial census of India was carried out under Viceroy Lord Ripon in 1881.
2ID: GK-DEMO-00018
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Under which Union Ministry does the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI) function?
Verified Explanation
The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI) functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
3ID: GK-DEMO-00019
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
The 2011 Census of India was which number of decennial Census conducted in the country since 1872, and which since Independence (1947)?
Verified Explanation
Census 2011 was the 15th National Census of India since the first non-synchronous census of 1872, and the 7th Census conducted after India gained Independence in 1947.
4ID: GK-DEMO-00020
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
What was the official slogan / motto of the 2011 Census of India?
Verified Explanation
The official motto of the 2011 Census of India was 'Our Census, Our Future' ('हमारी जनगणना, हमारा भविष्य'), featuring a female enumerator logo.
5ID: GK-DEMO-00040
mediumHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who served as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India during the 2011 Census operations?
Verified Explanation
Dr. C. Chandramouli, an IAS officer of the 1985 batch, served as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India for the 2011 Census.
6ID: GK-DEMO-00041
mediumHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
In which year was the first non-synchronous, experimental Census undertaken in different parts of British India under Viceroy Lord Mayo?
Verified Explanation
The first population census in British India was conducted non-synchronously across different presidencies and provinces between 1867 and 1872 under Viceroy Lord Mayo.
7ID: GK-DEMO-00042
mediumHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
The permanent statutory framework for conducting decennial population censuses in independent India is provided by the Census Act passed in which year?
Verified Explanation
The Census Act, 1948 (Act No. 37 of 1948) was piloted by India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to provide a permanent legal basis for census taking.
8ID: GK-DEMO-00043
mediumHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the subject of 'Census' is allocated to which list?
Verified Explanation
Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Census' is an exclusively Union subject enumerated at Entry 69 of List I (Union List).
9ID: GK-DEMO-00044
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who was appointed as the first Census Commissioner and Registrar General of Independent India for the 1951 Census?
Verified Explanation
R. A. Gopalaswami served as the first Registrar General and Census Commissioner of independent India, successfully conducting the 1951 Census.
10ID: GK-DEMO-00056
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
In which year was the first comprehensive Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted across all States and UTs in independent India since the 1931 census?
Verified Explanation
The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC 2011) was conducted starting June 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and ORGI.
11ID: GK-DEMO-00057
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
What was the exact reference date and time for the Population Enumeration phase of the 2011 Census across most non-snowbound areas of India?
Verified Explanation
The census reference moment for Census 2011 was 00:00 hours of 1 March 2011 for the whole country, except for snowbound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand where it was 1 October 2010.
12ID: GK-DEMO-00068
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
What was the official mascot chosen for the 2011 Census of India?
Verified Explanation
The mascot for Census 2011 was a female enumerator clad in a green sari carrying a kit bag and census handbook, highlighting the dedicated frontline role of teachers and fieldworkers.
13ID: GK-DEMO-00069
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
In how many distinct operational phases is the decennial Census of India traditionally conducted?
Verified Explanation
The Indian Census is conducted in two distinct phases: Phase 1: Houselisting and Housing Census (April to September), and Phase 2: Population Enumeration (in February).
14ID: GK-DEMO-00070
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
How many administrative districts were enumerated across India during the 2011 Census operations?
Verified Explanation
Census 2011 covered 640 administrative districts across 35 States and UTs, an increase of 47 districts compared to the 593 districts in 2001.
15ID: GK-DEMO-00090
mediumHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
In the Census of India methodology, which three criteria must a settlement satisfy to be categorized as a 'Census Town'?
Verified Explanation
A Census Town must satisfy three simultaneous criteria: (1) Minimum population of 5,000; (2) At least 75% of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; (3) Population density of at least 400 persons per sq km.
16ID: GK-DEMO-00104
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who served as the Census Commissioner of India for the first synchronous decennial Census of 1881?
Verified Explanation
W. C. Plowden was the Census Commissioner for the 1881 Census of India, which conducted the first simultaneous enumeration across British provinces and princely states.
17ID: GK-DEMO-00105
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Which Census Commissioner of India introduced the systematic anthropological and caste hierarchy classification during the 1901 Census of India?
Verified Explanation
Sir Herbert Hope Risley, Census Commissioner for the 1901 Census, classified Indian society into a formal hierarchical caste taxonomy based on anthropometric measurements and social precedence.
18ID: GK-DEMO-00106
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who served as the Census Commissioner for the 1931 Census of India, which was the last British colonial census to tabulate comprehensive caste data across India?
Verified Explanation
J. H. Hutton was the Census Commissioner of India for the 1931 Census, which produced comprehensive ethnographic reports and caste tables later utilized by the Mandal Commission.
19ID: GK-DEMO-00107
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, individual census records and answers provided by respondents to enumerators are:
Verified Explanation
Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948 guarantees statutory confidentiality: individual census records are confidential, immune from public inspection, and inadmissible as evidence in any court.
20ID: GK-DEMO-00123
hardHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who served as the Census Commissioner of British India for the 1941 Census, which faced severe paper shortages and wartime restrictions during World War II?
Verified Explanation
M. W. M. Yeatts served as the Census Commissioner of India for the 1941 Census, where full tabulation was curtailed due to wartime financial constraints.
21ID: GK-DEMO-00128
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Under which Union Ministry of the Government of India does the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner function?
Verified Explanation
The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (ORGI), which conducts decennial censuses, operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
22ID: GK-DEMO-00132
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
The 2011 Census of India was which decennial census of the country since the first synchronous census was conducted in 1881?
Verified Explanation
The 2011 Census was the 15th National Census of India since 1881, and the 7th Census conducted after Independence in 1947.
23ID: GK-DEMO-00133
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
Who served as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India who conducted and published the 2011 Census?
Verified Explanation
Dr. C. Chandramouli, an IAS officer of the 1985 batch (Tamil Nadu cadre), was the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India for the 2011 Census.
24ID: GK-DEMO-00136
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
What was the official mascot created for the Census of India 2011 enumeration campaign?
Verified Explanation
A Female Enumerator (dressed in a green saree carrying a Census kitbag and folder) was the official mascot for the 2011 Census of India.
25ID: GK-DEMO-00137
easyHistory of Indian Census, Registrar General & Census Act
What was the official motto and slogan adopted for the 2011 Census of India?
Verified Explanation
'Our Census, Our Future' (Hamari Janaganana, Hamara Bhavishya) was the official slogan and theme for the 15th National Census of India 2011.
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