Nalanda District - Population 2011-2025
Nalanda District Bihar Census 2025/2011: Full Population, Religion, Urban/Rural, Literacy, SC/ST, City & Taluk Stats (All Official Data)
Quick Overview of Nalanda District (2021/2025 Projections & 2011 Census)
- District: Nalanda, Bihar
- Area: 2,355 sq km
- Headquarters: Bihar Sharif
- Population (2011): 2,877,653 (Male: 1,497,060 | Female: 1,380,593)
- Estimated Population (2025): 3,570,000 – 3,594,504 (sources vary)
- Population Density (2011): 1,222 per sq km
- Sex Ratio (2011): 922 females per 1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 931 girls per 1000 boys
- Literacy Rate (2011): 64.43% (Male: 74.86%, Female: 53.10%)
- SC population: 21.12% | ST population: 0.05%
- Urban population: 15.91% | Rural: 84.09%
- Number of Households (2011): 477,529
- Blocks/Subdistricts/Taluks: 20 | Villages: 1,055 | Towns: 6
Historical Population (1901–2011, Decadal and Projected Growth)
| Census Year | Population | Variation | Variation % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 595,009 | - | - | 295,000 | 300,000 |
| 1911 | 589,310 | -5,699 | -0.95% | 296,000 | 293,000 |
| 1921 | 577,663 | -11,647 | -1.98% | 296,000 | 281,000 |
| 1931 | 676,424 | +98,761 | +17.1% | 350,000 | 326,000 |
| 1941 | 785,619 | +109,195 | +16.14% | 406,000 | 380,000 |
| 1951 | 926,189 | +140,570 | +17.89% | 470,000 | 456,000 |
| 1961 | 1,086,972 | +160,783 | +17.36% | 553,000 | 534,000 |
| 1971 | 1,304,832 | +217,860 | +20.04% | 675,000 | 630,000 |
| 1981 | 1,639,922 | +335,090 | +25.68% | 851,000 | 789,000 |
| 1991 | 1,996,257 | +356,335 | +21.73% | 1,052,000 | 944,000 |
| 2001 | 2,370,528 | +374,271 | +18.75% | 1,238,599 | 1,131,929 |
| 2011 | 2,877,653 | +507,125 | +21.39% | 1,497,060 | 1,380,593 |
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|
| 2021 | 3,400,000 |
| 2023 | 3,490,000 |
| 2025 | 3,594,504 – 3,570,000 |
| 2026 | 3,643,406 |
| 2027 | 3,691,378 |
| 2028 | 3,739,350 |
| 2029 | 3,787,323 |
| 2030 | 3,835,295 |
| 2031 | 3,879,331 |
| 2036 | 4,085,297 |
Urban and Rural Population Stats
| Urban | Rural | Total |
| Population (2011) | 457,894 | 2,419,759 | 2,877,653 |
| Male | 239,332 | 1,257,728 | 1,497,060 |
| Female | 218,562 | 1,162,031 | 1,380,593 |
| Sex Ratio | 913 | 924 | 922 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0-6) | 925 | 932 | 931 |
| Child Population (0-6) | 72,468 | 446,213 | 518,681 |
| Literacy Rate | 74.66% | 62.44% | 64.43% |
| Male Literacy | 80.84% | 73.68% | 74.86% |
| Female Literacy | 67.87% | 50.24% | 53.10% |
| Number of Households | 477,529 |
| Number of Towns | 6 |
| Number of Villages | 1,055 |
City List & Town Population
| City Name | Class | Population 2011 | Estimated 2025 |
|---|
| Bihar Sharif | Municipal Corporation | 297,268 | 366,948 |
| Rajgir | Municipal Council | 41,587 | – |
| Islampur | Municipal Council | 33,348 | – |
| Hilsa | Municipal Council | 40,565 | – |
| Pawapuri | Nagar Panchayat | 7,696 | – |
| Parwalpur | Nagar Panchayat | 7,125 | – |
Blocks/Subdistricts/Taluks in Nalanda
- Asthawan
- Bena
- Biharsharif
- Bind
- Chandi
- Ekangarsarai
- Giriyak
- Harnaut
- Hilsa
- Islampur
- Karai Parsurai
- Katrisarai
- Nagarnausa
- Noorsarai
- Parbalpur
- Rahui
- Rajgir
- Sarmera
- Silao
- Tharthari
Religion-wise Population (2011 Census & 2025 Estimate)
| Religion | Population 2011 | % (2011) | Estimated Population 2025 |
|---|
| Hindu | 2,669,775 | 92.78 | 3,295,570 |
| Muslim | 198,033 | 6.88 | 244,452 |
| Christian | 1,978 | 0.07 | 2,442 |
| Sikh | 393 | 0.01 | 485 |
| Buddhist | 414 | 0.01 | 511 |
| Jain | 561 | 0.02 | 692 |
| Other/Not Stated | 6,563 | 0.22 | 8,022 |
| Total | 2,877,653 | 100 | 3,552,175 |
| Religion | Sex Ratio | Average Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
|---|
| Hindu | 921 | 64.19% | 75.05% | 52.37% |
| Muslim | 943 | 67.58% | 72.17% | 62.7% |
| Christian | 912 | 68.27% | 76.84% | 59.02% |
| Religion not stated | 1032 | 63.51% | 75.22% | 52.68% |
Caste-wise Population (2011 Census)
| Caste |
Total |
Male |
Female |
% of Population |
Sex Ratio |
| Scheduled Caste | 607,672 | 315,240 | 292,432 | 21.12% | 928 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 1,442 | 728 | 714 | 0.05% | 981 |
Sex Ratio & Child Sex Ratio (by Area & Religion, 2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total | 922 |
| Urban | 913 |
| Rural | 924 |
| SC | 928 |
| ST | 981 |
| Religion | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Hindu | 921 |
| Muslim | 943 |
| Christian | 912 |
| Religion not stated | 1032 |
Literacy Rate (Overall, Urban/Rural, Religion, 2011)
| Category |
Average Literacy Rate |
Male Literacy Rate |
Female Literacy Rate |
| Total Population | 64.43% | 74.86% | 53.10% |
| Urban Area | 74.66% | 80.84% | 67.87% |
| Rural Area | 62.44% | 73.68% | 50.24% |
| Religion |
Average Literacy Rate |
Male Literacy Rate |
Female Literacy Rate |
| Hindu | 64.19% | 75.05% | 52.37% |
| Muslim | 67.58% | 72.17% | 62.7% |
| Christian | 68.27% | 76.84% | 59.02% |
| Religion not stated | 63.51% | 75.22% | 52.68% |
Child Population (0-6 years, 2011)
|
Total |
Male |
Female |
% of Population |
Child Sex Ratio |
| Nalanda |
518,681 |
268,660 |
250,021 |
18.02% |
931 |
Workforce Details (2011)
| Work Profile |
Total |
Male |
Female |
| Main Workers | 740,949 | 545,915 | 195,034 |
| Cultivators | 183,781 | 149,412 | 34,369 |
| Agricultural Labourers | 342,861 | 234,691 | 108,170 |
| Household Industries | 33,230 | 20,374 | 12,856 |
| Other Workers | 181,077 | 141,438 | 39,639 |
| Marginal Workers | 304,471 | 157,490 | 146,981 |
| Total Workers | 1,045,420 | 703,405 | 342,015 |
| Non Working | 1,832,233 | 793,655 | 1,038,578 |
Houseless Population (2011)
- Families living without roof: 244
- Total population houseless: 1,153 (~0.04%)
Languages Spoken (2011 Census & General Usage)
- Magahi: 56.27%
- Hindi: 37.28%
- Urdu: 5.69%
Administration & Political Facts
- District HQ: Bihar Sharif
- Subdivisions: 3 (Bihar Sharif, Rajgir, Hilsa)
- Blocks/Taluks: 20 (listed above)
- Municipal Bodies: Corporation - Bihar Sharif; Councils - Rajgir, Islampur, Hilsa; 11 Nagar panchayats
- Notable: Nalanda Mahavihara (UNESCO), Rajgir (Buddha, first Magadh capital, scenic hills), Pawapuri (Jain nirvana site)
- Pant Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajgir: 35.84 sq km
- Agriculture: rice, wheat, maize, pulses, potato, fruits, vegetables; Ordnance Factory, rail coach maintenance at Harnaut
| No. |
Constituency |
MLA (2025) |
Party |
Alliance |
| 171 | Asthawan | Jitendra Kumar | JD(U) | NDA |
| 172 | Biharsharif | Sunil Kumar | BJP | NDA |
| 173 | Rajgir | Kaushal Kishore | JD(U) | NDA |
| 174 | Islampur | Rakesh Raushan Yadav | RJD | MGB |
| 175 | Hilsa | Krishna Murari Sharan | JD(U) | NDA |
| 176 | Nalanda | Shrawan Kumar | JD(U) | NDA |
| 177 | Harnaut | Hari Narayan Singh | JD(U) | NDA |
Tourism, Places of Interest, and Economy
- Ancient Nalanda University – UNESCO World Heritage, key Buddhist/Jain heritage
- Rajgir: historical, Buddhist monuments, scenic hills
- Pawapuri: Major Jain site
- Agricultural backbone; emerging industry via Ordnance Factory, rail plant, tourism
- BRGF recipient district
Notable People from Nalanda
- Nitish Kumar (Chief Minister of Bihar), Kaushalendra Kumar (MP)
- Kalim Ajiz (Urdu writer, Padma Shri), Ganesh Dutt (administrator), Abhay Kumar (poet-diplomat), Zafar Iqbal (hockey), many others
Neighbouring Districts (Bihar)
| District | Population 2011 | Population 2025 (Est where available) |
|---|
| Patna | 5,838,465 | 7,207,001 |
| Sheikhpura | 636,342 | 785,501 |
| Bhojpur | 2,728,407 | – |
| Lakhisarai | 1,000,912 | 1,235,526 |
| Buxar | 1,706,352 | – |
| Munger | 1,367,765 | – |
| Banka | 2,034,763 | – |
| Kaimur | 1,626,384 | – |
| Bhagalpur | 3,037,766 | – |
| Rohtas | 2,959,918 | – |