🧾 Census in India – Complete Study Notes for NTPC, SSC & JKSSB Exams

📌 Introduction

A Census is the systematic collection of information about a population. In India, it is conducted every 10 years by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Census helps the government with planning, resource allocation, and policymaking.

📚 History of Census in India

Year	Event
1872	First partial/non-synchronous census in British India
1881	First complete and synchronous census
1941	Census disrupted due to World War II
1951	First census after Independence
2011	Latest completed census (15th in series)
2021	Scheduled, but postponed due to COVID-19

🧠 Key Features of Indian Census

Conducted every 10 years
Largest peacetime administrative operation globally
Done in two phases:
- House Listing & Housing Census
- Population Enumeration
Conducted under the Census Act, 1948
Used for planning, policymaking, electoral reforms, and development indicators

✅ Significance of the Census

Constitutional relevance: Determines seat allocation in Lok Sabha
Social welfare: Data for education, healthcare, sanitation
Infrastructure: Planning schools, roads, and water supply
Economy: Identifies unemployment, poverty, and labor trends
Representation: Redefines constituencies based on population

📊 Key Data from Census 2011 (India)

Parameter	Data
Total Population	121.08 crore (1.21 billion)
Male Population	62.31 crore
Female Population	58.75 crore
Sex Ratio	943 females/1000 males
Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years)	919
Population Growth Rate	17.7% (2001–2011)
Density of Population	382 persons/km²
Literacy Rate	74.04% (Male: 82.14%, Female: 65.46%)
Most Populous State	Uttar Pradesh (19.98 crore)
Least Populous State	Sikkim
Highest Literacy	Kerala – 93.91%
Lowest Literacy	Bihar – 61.8%
Highest Sex Ratio	Kerala – 1084
Lowest Sex Ratio	Haryana – 879

📍 Important State-wise Census 2011 Facts

Criteria	State/UT	Fact
Most Populous State	Uttar Pradesh	19.98 crore
Least Populous State	Sikkim	6.1 lakh
Most Populous UT	Delhi	1.67 crore
Least Populous UT	Lakshadweep	64,429
Highest Population Density	Bihar	1,106 persons/km²
Lowest Population Density	Arunachal Pradesh	17 persons/km²
Highest Literacy Rate	Kerala	93.91%
Lowest Literacy Rate	Bihar	61.8%
Highest Female Literacy	Kerala	91.98%
Lowest Female Literacy	Rajasthan	52.66%
Highest Sex Ratio	Kerala	1084
Lowest Sex Ratio	Haryana	879
Highest Child Sex Ratio	Mizoram	971
Lowest Child Sex Ratio	Haryana	834
Highest Urban Population %	Delhi	97.5%
Highest Rural Population %	Himachal Pradesh	89.9%
Highest Decadal Growth (State)	Meghalaya	27.8%
Highest Growth (UT)	Daman & Diu	53.5%
Negative Population Growth	Nagaland	-0.58%

🏔️ Census 2011 – Jammu & Kashmir (Now UT)

Parameter	Value
Total Population	1.25 crore
Literacy Rate	67.16%
Sex Ratio	889
Highest Population District	Jammu
Lowest Population District	Kishtwar
Decadal Growth Rate	23.64%

📲 Latest Trends & Census 2021 (Upcoming)

First-ever Digital Census using tablets and mobile apps
Self-enumeration portal to allow online participation
Integration with National Population Register (NPR)
Focus on data security and real-time updates
Enhanced categories like:
- Transgender population
- Disability
- Internet and smartphone access

📝 Types of MCQs with Examples

🧩 1. Factual MCQs (Static GK)

Q1. What was India’s total population in Census 2011?
A. 112 crore
B. 121.08 crore ✅
C. 130 crore
D. 118.9 crore

🧩 2. Conceptual MCQs

Q2. What is the importance of the Census in India?
A. Counting votes
B. Population control
C. Planning and resource allocation ✅
D. Electoral funding

🧩 3. Current Affairs MCQs

Q3. Which upcoming census is set to be conducted digitally for the first time?
A. 2011
B. 2021 ✅
C. 2026
D. 2031

🧩 4. State-Based Static MCQs

Q4. Which state had the lowest sex ratio as per Census 2011?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. Rajasthan
D. Haryana ✅

Q5. Which state had negative population growth during 2001–2011?
A. Mizoram
B. Tripura
C. Nagaland ✅
D. Manipur

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Rohit Thapa

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