Indian Population Census 2011
The 2011 Census was the 15th National Census survey conducted by survey conducted by Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It covered all 28 states and 7 Union Territories, including 640 districts, 497 cities, 5767 tehsils, and more than 6 lakh villages.
📊 Top Census Facts
1,210,854,977
623,724,248
586,469,174
74.04%
940 females / 1000 males
914 females / 1000 males
382 persons/km²
🚀 Quick Access
🏆 Top Performing States
📚 Literacy Rate
👩👧 Sex Ratio
🏙️ Most Populated Metro Cities (2011)
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 18,394,912 |
| Delhi | 16,349,831 |
| Kolkata | 14,035,959 |
| Chennai | 8,653,521 |
| Bangalore | 8,520,435 |
🕊️ Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Hindu | 966,257,353 |
| Muslim | 172,245,158 |
| Christian | 27,819,588 |
| Sikh | 20,833,116 |
| Jain | 4,451,753 |
🧬 SC/ST Population Overview
201,378,086
104,545,716
65,494,604
Data Available
🏙️ Most Urbanized States
📍 State-Wise Population Highlights
📌 Key Highlights
- 🧠 Highest Literacy: Kerala – 94.00%
- 👩👧 Highest Sex Ratio: Kerala – 1084
- 📈 Most Populated: Uttar Pradesh – 199.8 million
- 🌱 Least Populated: Sikkim – 610,577
- ⚠️ Lowest Sex Ratio: Daman & Diu – 618
📈 India Population Growth – Census 1901 to 2011
India's population increased from 23.84 crore in 1901 to 121.09 crore in 2011. The demographic changes, and the significant milestones include the negative growth in 1921 and the highest growth rate of 24.8% in 1971.
| # | Census Year | Population | Variation | Variation % | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1901 | 23.84 Cr | — | — | 12.08 Cr | 11.74 Cr |
| 2 | 1911 | 25.21 Cr | 1.37 Cr | 5.75% | 12.84 Cr | 12.37 Cr |
| 3 | 1921 | 25.13 Cr | -7.72 Lac | -0.31% | 12.85 Cr | 12.28 Cr |
| 4 | 1931 | 27.90 Cr | 2.77 Cr | 11.00% | 14.29 Cr | 13.58 Cr |
| 5 | 1941 | 31.87 Cr | 3.97 Cr | 14.22% | 16.37 Cr | 15.47 Cr |
| 6 | 1951 | 36.11 Cr | 4.24 Cr | 13.31% | 18.55 Cr | 17.56 Cr |
| 7 | 1961 | 43.92 Cr | 7.77 Cr | 21.51% | 22.63 Cr | 21.29 Cr |
| 8 | 1971 | 54.82 Cr | 10.89 Cr | 24.80% | 28.40 Cr | 26.41 Cr |
| 9 | 1981 | 68.33 Cr | 13.52 Cr | 24.66% | 35.34 Cr | 33.00 Cr |
| 10 | 1991 | 84.64 Cr | 16.31 Cr | 23.87% | 43.94 Cr | 40.71 Cr |
| 11 | 2001 | 102.87 Cr | 18.23 Cr | 21.54% | 53.22 Cr | 49.65 Cr |
| 12 | 2011 | 121.09 Cr | 18.21 Cr | 17.70% | 62.33 Cr | 58.76 Cr |
📌 Key Takeaways
- The population of India increased from 23.84 Cr in 1901 to 121.09 Cr in 2011.
- 1971 recorded the highest growth rate: 24.8%.
- 1921 was the only census year with negative growth (-0.31%).
- The gender distribution has improved over decades.
📋 Why is the census important for a country
The Indian Census survey is conducted to gather grassroots data essential for launching welfare schemes like PMJDY, PMAY, PMFBY, PM-KISAN, MGNREGA, PMJAY, Swachh Bharat Ab, Poshan Abhiyaan, PMUY, PMMVY, Mission Shakti, PM-KUSUM, Jal Jeevan Mission, NSAP, Mid-Day Meal, etc..
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
The Census of India is a nationwide survey conducted every 10 years to collect demographic, social, and economic data. It helps the government plan policies, allocate resources, and track population trends.
The Census 2011 covered all 28 states and 7 union territories, including 640 districts and over 6 lakh villages.
1971 recorded the highest decadal growth rate at 24.8%, reflecting a post-independence population surge.
Yes, the year 1921 showed a unique negative growth of -0.31%, largely due to famine and epidemic conditions.
You can explore religion-wise population breakdowns on the Religion Data page, including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Jain communities.