A census is an official systematic survey of the population of a country. The last census in India was conducted in 2011 and the next will taken in 2021.
About Census in India
- Census is a process of collecting, compiling, analyzing, evaluating, publishing and disseminating statistical data regarding the population of a country.
- It covers demographic, social and economic data.
- It started in 1872 under British Viceroy Lord Mayo but first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every 10 years.
- It provides snapshot of the country’s population and housing at a given point of time.
- It is legally backed by the Census Act, 1948.
- It is being prepared by National Sample Survey Organization.
- Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for conducting the decennial Census.
Census 2021
- Census 2011 was the 16th census of India & 8th census after Independence of India
- It will be conducted in 18 languages out of 22 scheduled languages (under 8th schedule) and English, while Census 2011 was conducted in 16 of the 22 scheduled languages.
- The “Other” option under the gender category will be changed to “Third Gender”.
- For the first time in 140 year history of census in India, data is proposed to be collected through a mobile app by enumerators and they will receive an additional payment as an incentive.
- Census 2021 will be the world's largest enumeration exercise.
- Census data would be available by the year 2024-25 as the entire process will be conducted digitally and data crunching would be quicker.
- NSSO has started its population survey which will be published in 2021
- The current population of India is 1,380,233,788 based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
- It will be conducted in two phases:
- House-listing phase with 34 parameters from April 2020 to September 2020
- Population enumeration phase with 28 parameters from February 9 2021 to February 28 2021.
Issue of Caste Data Collection in Census 2021
- Ministry of Home Affairs in 2018 declared that the Other Backward Class (OBC) category would be included in the Census 2021. However, Registrar-General of India (RGI) has said that only SC/ST will be included as the unreliable nature of caste data collection decreases the credibility of the results.
- The 2011 caste data, collected as part of Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC), is yet to be released by the Centre and failed to provide any tangible outcome.
- The last caste-based census was conducted by the British in 1931.
Census 2011
- Census 2011 data was released on 31st March 2011 by Union Home Secretary and Registrar General of India.
- Census 2011 was the 15th census of India & 7th census after Independence of India.
- Motto of census 2011: “Our Census, Our future”.
- Registrar General & Census Commissioner under whom census 2011 was conducted: C.Chandra Mouli
- Registrar General & Census Commissioner during census 2011: K. Banthia.
- Total Population: 1,210,569,573 (1.21 Billion)
- India became the 2nd most populous country with 17.64%. decadal growth after China.
- Increase in population from 2001 to 2011: 181 Million
- There were roughly 5 lakh people under "other" category in 2011.
- Census 2011 was held in two phases:
- Houselisting & Housing Census (April to September 2010)
- Population Enumeration (9th to 28th February 2011)
- Number of Administrative Units in Census 2011
- States/UTs: 35
- Districts: 640
- Sub-districts: 5,924
- Towns: 7,936
- Villages: 6.41 lakh
- Literacy Rate in from Census of India 2011
- Males: 82.14%
- Females: 65.46%
- Overall Literacy: 74%
Census Data 2011
| Categories | Top Performer States |
State with the highest population density | Bihar |
State with the lowest population density | Arunachal Pradesh |
Union territory with least population | Lakshadweep |
State with the highest population | Uttar Pradesh |
State with the lowest population | Sikkim |
State with the highest sex ratio | Kerala |
State with the lowest sex ratio | Haryana |
State with the highest literacy rate | Kerala |
State with the lowest literacy rate | Bihar |
Other Important Facts Related to 2011 Census of India
Facts about districts
- Most populated district: Thane district of Maharashtra
- Least Populated: Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh
- Highest population growth: Kurung Kumey of Arunachal Pradesh with growth rate of 111.01%.
- Negative population growth: Longleng district of Nagaland with growth rate of (-)58.39%.
- Highest sex ratio: Mahe district of Puducherry with 1176 females per 1000 males.
- Lowest sex ratio: Daman district with 533 females per 1000 males.
- Highest literacy rate: Serchhip district of Mizoram (98.76%).
- Least literate district: Alirajpur of MP (37.22%).
- Highest density: North East Delhi (37346 people per square km).
- Least density: Dibang Valley (1 person per sq. km).
Facts about cities
- Most Populated City: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Least populated: Kapurthala city, Punjab.
- Highest sex ratio: Kozhikode, Kerala (1093 females per 1000 males).
- Lowest sex ratio: Bhiwandi city, Maharashtra (709 females per 1000 males)
- Highest literacy rate: Aizawl city, Mizoram (98.76%).
- Least literate city: Sambhal, UP (48%).
Click Here to attempt the Census of India Quiz
Click here to access Test Series
Why BYJU'S Exam Prep Test Series?
- Get better at every level of your preparation with unlimited test series, based on the latest exam pattern.
- Assess areas of weaknesses & track improvements with in-depth performance analysis
Download the BYJU’S Exam Prep App Now.
The most comprehensive exam prep app.
#DreamStriveSucceed
Comments
write a comment