Brief Summary
This video provides a detailed analysis of the Indian census, focusing on key aspects such as population size, growth rate, sex ratio, literacy rate, and density. It covers historical context, post-independence trends, and comparisons between different states and union territories. The lecture also touches upon the religious demographics and the upcoming census in 2024.
- Historical background of census in India
- Key demographic indicators: population, growth rate, sex ratio, literacy, density
- Rural-urban divide and caste-based distribution
- Religious demographics and their growth rates
Introduction
The lecture will cover census-related questions that may appear in exams. The presenter expresses hope that the audience will find the topic interesting.
What is Census?
The census involves door-to-door counting of people, collecting data on education, gender, and religion every 10 years. It provides a historical record of the population. The first census in India occurred in 1872 during the time of Voice Roy Mayo.
Historical Context and Key Figures
In 1872, during the time of Voice Roy Mayo, the first census in India took place. The complete census was first conducted in 1881 during Ripon's time. W.C. Ploder was the Census Commissioner at that time. Henry Walter, who conducted a census in Dhaka in 1830, is considered the Father of the Indian Census.
Post-Independence Census
The first census after India's independence was conducted in 1951. The latest census data available is from 2011, as the 2021 census was delayed due to COVID-19 and is expected after the 2024 elections. The 2011 census was the 15th census of India, and the 7th post-independence.
Delimitation Commission and Census Authority
Article 82 uses the Delimitation Commission after every census. The 84th Amendment has frozen delimitation until 2026, with the 87th Amendment allowing it based on the 2001 census. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, conducts the census.
Census 2011 Overview
The 2011 census was the 15th census, with C.M. Chandramouli as the Registrar General. The motto was "Our Census, Our Future." Data was collected from 35 states and union territories, covering 640 districts.
Population Statistics
The total population according to the 2011 census was 1.21 billion, which constitutes 17.5% of the world's population. India was the second most populous country at that time. The male population was 623.7 million, and the female population was 586.5 million. Uttar Pradesh (UP) has the highest population among states, while Sikkim has the lowest. Lakshadweep has the lowest population among union territories. Mumbai, Maharashtra, has the highest population among districts, while Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest.
Population Growth Rate
The average annual growth rate of the population is 1.64%. The decadal growth rate from 2001 to 2011 was 17.64%. The highest decadal growth rate was observed from 1961 to 1971 at 24.8%, while the lowest was from 1911 to 1921. The period of 1921 is known as the "Year of Great Divide." Between 2001 and 2011, the population increased by 181 million.
Detailed Growth Rate Analysis
The decadal growth rate for males was 17.1%, and for females, it was 18.12%. Meghalaya had the highest state growth rate, while Dadra Nagar Haveli had the highest among union territories. Nagaland recorded a negative growth rate of -0.31%. Kurung Kumey in Arunachal Pradesh had the highest district growth rate, while Longleng had the lowest.
Population of Children (0-6 years)
The population of children aged 0-6 years was 158.5 million, which is 13.1% of the total population. This demographic decreased compared to 2001. Bihar has the highest population of children aged 0-6 years. Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir has the highest child population, while Kolkata has the lowest.
Gender Composition and Sex Ratio
The sex ratio in 2011 was 943 females per 1000 males, an increase from 933 in 2001. Kerala has the highest sex ratio at 1084, while Haryana has the lowest at 879. Puducherry has the highest sex ratio among union territories at 1037, while Daman and Diu has the lowest. Mahe in Puducherry has the highest district sex ratio, while Daman has the lowest.
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years)
The child sex ratio (0-6 years) was 919 in 2011, a decrease from 927 in 2001. Mizoram has the highest child sex ratio, while Haryana has the lowest. Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh have the highest child sex ratio among districts, while Jhajjar in Haryana has the lowest.
Literacy Rate
The literacy rate is defined as the ability to read, write, and understand in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for individuals aged seven and above. The overall literacy rate in 2011 was 74.04%, an increase from 64.8% in 2001. The male literacy rate was 82.14%, while the female literacy rate was 65.46%.
Literacy Rate Analysis
The difference in literacy rates between males and females is 16.6%. Rajasthan has the highest difference in literacy rates between males and females. Kerala has the highest literacy rate at 94%, while Bihar has the lowest at 61.8%. Lakshadweep has the highest literacy rate among union territories at 91.8%, while Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the lowest. Serchhip in Mizoram has the highest district literacy rate, while Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh has the lowest.
Population Density
Population density is defined as the number of people living per square kilometer. The population density in 2011 was 382 people per square kilometer, an increase from 325 in 2001. Bihar has the highest population density among states at 1106, while Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest at 17. Delhi has the highest population density among union territories at 11,297, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands has the lowest.
Rural-Urban Divide
The rural population in India is 833 million, constituting 68.8% of the total population. Uttar Pradesh has the highest rural population. The urban population is 31.2% of the total population. Maharashtra has the highest urban population. Himachal Pradesh has the highest rural population in percentage terms, while Goa has the highest urban population in percentage terms.
Caste-Based Distribution
The Scheduled Castes (SC) population is 201 million, which is 16.6% of the total population. Uttar Pradesh has the highest SC population, while Mizoram has the lowest. Punjab has the highest SC population in percentage terms. The Scheduled Tribes (ST) population is 104.3 million, which is 8.6% of the total population. Madhya Pradesh has the highest ST population, while Lakshadweep has the highest in percentage terms. Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh have zero ST population.
Religion-Based Demographics
In 2011, Hinduism constituted 79.8% of the population, Islam 14.2%, Christianity 2.3%, Sikhism 1.72%, Buddhism 0.7%, and Jainism 0.37%. The Muslim population had the highest decadal growth rate. Jainism had the lowest decadal growth rate and the highest literacy rate among communities, while Muslims had the lowest literacy rate.
Miscellaneous Census Information
The upcoming census in 2024 will utilize the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS). The demographic dividend refers to the working-age group, typically between 15-64 years. According to the 2011 census, 3.1% of total migrants were from Nepal.
Census Questions and Answers
The modern regular census in India started in 1881 during Ripon's time. The Census Commissioner in 1881 was W.C. Plan. The slogan of Census 2011 was "Our Census, Our Future." The Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the census data. As of 2022, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan is the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. The 2011 census recorded data from 35 states and union territories and 640 districts.
Additional Census Questions
Uttar Pradesh has the largest population. Sikkim has the least population. Lakshadweep has the least population among union territories. Uttar Pradesh constitutes 16% of India's total population. Maharashtra has the highest urban population. The literacy rate of India is 74.4%, with 82.2% for males and 65.4% for females. The union territory with the lowest literacy rate is Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
More Census Questions
The sex ratio in India according to the 2011 census is 943, with the provisional figure being 940. Dibang Valley has the lowest population density. Mizoram has the highest child sex ratio, while Haryana has the lowest. Mahe in Puducherry has the highest sex ratio among districts, while Daman has the lowest.
Final Census Questions
The first census of Haryana as a separate state was in 1971. The child sex ratio in India as per the 2011 census is 919. Puducherry has a higher female population than males. Serchhip is the most literate district in India. The Indian state with the lowest density of population is Arunachal Pradesh. The population of India increased by 181 million during the decade ending in 2011.
Statement-Based Census Question
The statement that after the 1991 census, the highest sex ratio has been in 2011 is false. The correct descending order of states in terms of density is Bihar, West Bengal, and Kerala.
Literacy Definition and Caste-Based Census
A person who can only read but cannot write is not defined as literate. Children below six years of age are not taken into consideration for literacy. The fact that a district has attained 100% literacy does not mean that the entire population of the district is literate. Bihar is the first state to conduct a caste-based census, with Andhra Pradesh set to become the second.
