Census 2011 – Important Facts

Census 2011 is the 15th Census of India since 1872. The slogan of Census 2011 is "Our Census, Our Future". The present Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is Dr. C. Chandramouli. Census 2011 covered 35 States/Union Territories, 640 districts, 5,924 Sub-districts, 7,933 Towns and 6, 40,930 Villages.  Total Population The total population of India at 0.00 hours of 1st March 2011 is 1210.6 million. India’s population accounts for 17.5 per cent of world population. The country’s population is almost equal to the populations of the U.S., Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together. Out of the total increase of 182 million added in the last decade, the contribution of rural and urban areas is equal (91.0 million each). The absolute addition is slightly lower than the population of Brazil, the fifth most populous country in the world. This makes 2001-2011 as the first decade with the exception of 1911-1921 which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade. The rural population is 833.5 million and the urban population 377.1 million. The rural population constitutes 68.8% and urban population 31.2% of the total population. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State with 199 million people followed by Maharashtra at 112 million people and Lakshadweep is the least populated at 64,429 persons. Uttar Pradesh has the largest rural population of 155.3 million (18.6% of the country's rural population). Maharashtra has the highest urban population of 50.8 million (13.5% of country's urban population) in the country. Himachal Pradesh (90.0%) has the largest proportion of rural population. Delhi (97.5%) has the highest proportion of urban population. Thane of Maharashtra is the most populated District in India. Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, is the least populated District in India. Growth Rate The growth rate of population in India in the last decade is 17.7% (Rural - 12.3%; Urban - 31.8%). Meghalaya (27.2%) has recorded the highest decadal growth rate in rural population. Daman & Diu (218.8 %) recorded the highest decadal growth rate in urban population during 2001-2011. Population Density Population density in Census 2011 works out to be 382 showing an increase of 57 points from 2001. Delhi (11,320) turns out to be the most densely inhabited followed by Chandigarh (9,258) among all States/UTs, both in 2001 and 2011 Census. Among the major States, Bihar occupies the first position with a density of 1106, surpassing West Bengal which occupied the first position during 2001. The minimum population density works out in Arunachal Pradesh (17) for both Censuses. Among districts in India, highest density district is North East Delhi (37,346 per Sq KM) and lowest density district is Dibang of Arunachal Pradesh (1 per Sq KM). Sex Ratio  The Sex Ratio in the country which was 933 in 2001 has increased by 7 points to 940 in 2011. In rural areas, the sex ratio has increased from 946 to 949. The corresponding increase in urban areas has been by 29 points from 900 to 929. Kerala has recorded the highest sex ratio (1084) in respect of total population. Daman and Diu recorded the lowest sex ratio (618) among States and UTs. The lowest sex ratio in rural areas has been recorded in Chandigarh (690). The corresponding value in urban areas has been returned in Daman & Diu (551). Child Population  The child population in the age group of 0-6 years stands at 164.5 million. Compared to Census 2001, the Child population has increased by 0.7 million in the country. The growth rate of child population works out to 0.4% in the last decade. However, there has been a decline of 4.1% in rural areas and an increase of 15.6% in urban areas. Census 2011 marks a considerable fall in child sex ratio (0-6 years) from 927 to 919 (-8 points) during 2001-2011. This is the lowest sex ratio since 1961. Scheduled Caste Population The total Scheduled Caste population returned in Census 2011 is 201.4 million. The Scheduled Caste population constitutes 16.6 % of the total population. The highest proportion of Scheduled Castes has been recorded in Punjab (31.9 %) and the lowest in Mizoram (0.1%). The highest number of Scheduled Castes has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh (41.4 million) and the lowest in Mizoram (1,218). Scheduled Tribe Population  The total Scheduled Tribe population returned in Census 2011 is 104.3 million. The Scheduled Tribe population constitutes 8.6 % of the total population. The highest proportion of Scheduled Tribes has been recorded in Lakshadweep (94.8 %) and the lowest in Uttar Pradesh (0.6%). The highest number of Scheduled Tribes has been recorded in Madhya Pradesh (15.3 million) and the lowest in Daman & Diu (15,363). Literacy Rate The number of literates in India is 763.5 million in Census 2011. Literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent, showing an increase of 9.21 percentage points. The literacy rate for males and females works out to 82.14 per cent and 65.46 per cent respectively. The increase in literacy rate in males and females during 2001-2011 is in the order of 6.88 and 11.79 percentage points respectively. The highest number of rural literates has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of literates in urban areas. In percentage terms male literates were 56.9% of the total literates and the female literates were 43.1 % of the total literates. Kerala has the highest literacy rate (93.91) followed by Lakshadweep (92.28). Bihar has the least literacy rate (63.82) and least goes to Arunachal Pradesh (66.95) Undivided Andhra Pradesh Census 2011The following census of Andhra Pradesh is of the undivided State prior to the formation of Telangana: Andhra Pradesh has population of 8.46 crore, an increase from 7.62 crore in 2001 census. The population of Andhra Pradesh forms 6.99 percent of India in 2011. The total population growth in this decade was 10.98 percent while in previous decade it was 13.86 percent. Density of Andhra Pradesh is 308 per sq km which is lower than national average 382 per sq km. In 2001, density of Andhra Pradesh was 277 per sq km, while nation average in 2001 was 324 per sq km. The Sex Ratio in Andhra Pradesh is 993 much better than the national average of 940. Literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh is 67.02 percent while male literacy stands at 74.88 percent and female literacy is at 58.68 percent.

Census Facts 2011

• Thane district of Maharashtra is the most populated district of India.
• Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh is the least populated.
• Kurung Kumey of Arunachal Pradesh registered highest population growthrate of 111.01 percent.
• Longleng district of Nagaland registered negative population growth rate of (-)58.39.
• Mahe district of Puducherry has highest sex ratio of 1176 females per 1000 males.
• Daman district has lowest sex ratio of 533 females per 1000 males.
• Serchhip district of Mizoram has highest literacy rate of 98.76 percent.
• Alirajpur of MP is the least literate district of India with figure of 37.22 percent only.
• North East Delhi has the higest density with figure of 37346 person per square kilometer.
• Dibang Valley has the least density of 1 person per sq. km.

Literacy Rate in India (As per 2011 Census)

Literacy Rate In Indian State: Census 2011

Rank	State	Literacy rate (2011 Census)	Literacy rate-Male (2011 Census)	Literacy rate-Female (2011 Census)
1	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	86.3%	90.1%	81.8%
2	Andhra Pradesh	67.7%	75.6%	59.7%
3	Arunachal Pradesh	67.0%	73.7%	59.6%
4	Assam	73.2%	78.8%	67.3%
5	Bihar	63.8%	73.5%	53.3%
6	Chandigarh	86.4%	90.5%	81.4%
7	Chattisgarh	71.0%	81.5%	60.6%
8	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	77.7%	86.5%	65.9%
9	Daman & Diu	87.1%	91.5%	79.6%
10	Delhi	86.3%	91.0%	80.9%
11	Goa	87.4%	92.8%	81.8%
12	Gujarat	79.3%	87.2%	70.7%
13	Haryana	76.6%	85.4%	66.8%
14	Himachal Pradesh	83.8%	90.8%	76.6%
15	Jammu and Kashmir	68.7%	78.3%	58.0%
16	Jharkhand	67.6%	78.5%	56.2%
17	Karnataka	75.6%	82.8%	68.1%
18	Kerala	93.9%	96.0%	92.0%
19	Lakshadweep	92.3%	96.1%	88.2%
20	Madhya Pradesh	70.6%	80.5%	60.0%
21	Maharashtra	82.9%	89.8%	75.5%
22	Manipur	79.8%	86.5%	73.2%
23	Meghalaya	75.5%	77.2%	73.8%
24	Mizoram	91.6%	93.7%	89.4%
25	Nagaland	80.1%	83.3%	76.7%
26	Orissa	73.5%	82.4%	64.4%
27	Puducherry	86.5%	92.1%	81.2%
28	Punjab	76.7%	81.5%	71.3%
29	Rajasthan	67.1%	80.5%	52.7%
30	Sikkim	82.2%	87.3%	76.4%
31	Tamil Nadu	80.3%	86.8%	73.9%
32	Tripura	87.8%	92.2%	83.1%
33	Uttar Pradesh	69.7%	79.2%	59.3%
34	Uttarakhand	79.6%	88.3%	70.7%
35	West Bengal	77.1%	82.7%	71.2%
-	Whole INDIA	74.04%	82.14%	65.46%

Highest Sex Ratio (Gender Ratio)

A list of top 10 districts of India by Highest Sex Ratio in India per 1000 males

Rank         District                      State                       Ratio 2011      Ratio 2001         Difference

1                Mahe                         Puducherry            1176                 1147                    29

2                Almora                      Uttarakhand           1142                 1145                    -3

3                Kannur                      Kerala                      1133                 1090                    43

4                Pathanamthitta        Kerala                      1129                 1094                    35

5                Ratnagiri                   Maharashtra           1123                 1136                    -13

6                Rudraprayag            Uttarakhand           1120                 1115                    5

7                Kollam                      Kerala                      1113                 1069                    44

8                Thrissur                    Kerala                      1109                 1092                    17

9                Pauri Garhwal          Uttarakhand           1103                 1106                    -3

10              Alappuzha                Kerala                      1100                 1079                    21

Highest Literate Districts of India

2011 Census

Rank        District                       State                     Average             Male             Female

1              Serchhip              Mizoram          98.76            99.24        98.28

2              Aizawl                  Mizoram          98.5              99.01        98

3              Mahe                   Puducherry      98.35            99.24        97.61

4              Pathanamthitta     Kerala              96.93            97.7          96.26

5              Kottayam             Kerala              96.4              97.17        95.67

6              Alappuzha            Kerala              96.26            97.9          94.8

7              Ernakulam            Kerala              95.68            97.14        94.27

8              Kannur                 Kerala              95.41            97.54        93.57

9              Thrissur                Kerala              95.32            96.98        93.85

10             Kozhikode            Kerala              95.24            97.57        93.16

Lowest Literate Districts of India

2011 Census

Rank        District                       State                        Average             Male             Female

1              Alirajpur               M. P.                37.22            43.58        30.97

2              Bijapur                 Chhattisgarh    41.58            51.42        31.56

3              Dantewada           Chhattisgarh    42.67            52.69        32.88

4              Jhabua                M. P.                 44.45            54.65        34.29

5              Nabarangapur      Orissa              48.2              59.45        37.22

6              Shrawasti             Uttar Pradesh   49.13            59.55        37.07

7              Malkangiri            Orissa              49.49            60.29        38.95

8              Narayanpur          Chhattisgarh    49.59            58.97        40.22

9              Koraput               Orissa               49.87            61.29        38.92

10             Pakur                   Jharkhand       50.17            59.02        41.23

FIGURES AT A GLANCE

FIGURES AT A GLANCE - INDIA
POPULATION	Persons	1,21,01,93,422
	Males	62,37,24,248
	Females	58,64,69,174
DECADAL POPULATION GROWTH 2001-2011		Absolute	Percentage
	Persons	18,14,55,986	17.64
	Males	9,15,01,158	17.19
	Females	8,99,54,828	18.12
DENSITY OF POPULATION (per sq. km.)		382
SEX RATIO (females per 1000 males)		940
POPULATION IN THE AGE GROUP 0-6		Absolute	Percentage to total population
	Persons	15,87,89,287	13.12
	Males	8,29,52,135	13.30
	Females	7,58,37,152	12.93
LITERATES		Absolute	Literacy rate
	Persons	77,84,54,120	74.04
	Males	44,42,03,762	82.14
	Females	33,42,50,358	65.46

Census Of India 2011

The Indian Census is a credible source of statistical information on different characteristics of the citizens since 1872. This was conducted at different points of time in different parts of the country. In 1881 a Census was taken for the entire country simultaneously. Since then, Census has been conducted every ten years, without a break. The Census provides a snapshot of the country's population and housing at a given point of time. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal authority for conducting decennial Census in the country. Census 2011 is the 15^th National Census of the country since 1872 and the 7^th after Independence.

Importance of Census:

Census provides detailed and authentic information on demography, economic activity, literacy and education, housing & household amenities, urbanisation, fertility and mortality, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, language, religion, migration, disability and many other socio-cultural and demographic data. This information helps the Central and State Governments in planning and formulation of various policies. Besides, the delimitation or reservation of constituencies-Parliamentary/Assembly/Panchayats and other local bodies- is also based on demographic data.

Census of India 2011:

Census 2011 was conducted in two phases. The first phase, called the House Listing or Housing Census was conducted between April and September last year across the country, depending on the convenience of different States/UTs. The second phase, Population Enumeration, began simultaneously all over the country from February 9, 2011 and continued up to February 28, 2011.

 New Features of Census 2011:

Fresh Categories

The following fresh categories have been incorporated for comprehensive and better data:

• Gender: New category "Other" introduced in addition to Male and Female.
• Date of Birth question introduced along with Age.
• Current Marital Status: Separate codes Assigned for Separated and Divorced.
• New filter Question on SC/ST Introduced - "Is this person SC/ST?"
• Disability: Household Schedule of Census 2011 attempts to collect information on eight types of disabilities as against five included in the Household Schedule of Census of India 2001. The information is being collected on disabilities namely, disability 'In Seeing', 'In Hearing', 'In Speech', 'In Movement', 'Mental retardation', 'Mental Illness', 'Any Other' and 'Multiple Disability'.
• Literacy Status for "Other" sex added in addition to existing Male and Female.
• New Codes under Status of Attendance in Educational Institutions introduced for Not Attending viz., (i) Attended before and (ii) Never attended.
• Work: Marginal workers have been classified into two categories viz., (i) worked for 3 months or more but less than 6 months (ii) worked for less than 3 months. The definition of 'Main worker' remains the same.
• A separate code-5 has been included under Non-economic activity for renters.
• Migration - Provision to specify the present name of the Village/Town of the Birth Place as well as the Place of Last Residence introduced.
• Name of the Institutional Household is also being recorded.

Census in Schools Census 2011 has taken initiatives to sensitise school students about census operations. The Census Organization is implementing "Census in School' programme across the country. This is specifically designed for the active participation of children in ensuring authenticity of census data of their families.
The programme covers about 60 to 80 schools in each of the 640 Districts in the country.

Mascot of an Enumerator

The mascot of an enumerator has been created for Census 2011 to make the process more people-friendly. The mascot helps people relate with the Census process and elucidates the key role of enumerators in the process. A toll free number 1800-345-0111 and services of call centre have been introduced for addressing public grievances.

Census Data

According to provisional results, India's population grew to 1.21 billion. The absolute number of children in the 0-6 age group recorded decline from 163 million in the 2001 census to 158 million in 2011. For detailed information click on the links given below:

• Provisional Population Totals
• Data Products
• Provisional Population Totals (States/UTs)

Number of Administrative Units in Census 2011

• State/Union Territories: 35
• Districts: 640
• Sub-districts: 5,924
• Towns: 7,938
• Villages: 6.41 Lakh

The cost of Census 2011 has been estimated at Rs 22,000 million, which works out to a per person cost of Rs.18.19. A total of 2.7 million functionaries worked in the conduct of the census. The census schedules were canvassed in 16 languages. A total of 340 million schedules were printed.

National Population Register (NPR) A milestone of Census 2011 is the creation of National Population Register (NPR). The National Population Register (NPR) will build up a comprehensive identity database of usual residents of the country. It would have the biometric data and UID Number of every person (15 years and above).
National Identity Cards will be given in a phased manner to all usual residents by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India.
The NPR is being introduced for the first time in the country. More on National Population Register

General Information about Census:

According to Article 246, population Census is a Union Subject in India. But, the State Governments provide administrative support in conducting the Census process.
The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, headed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, plans and implements Census. There are field offices, headed by Directors of Census Operations, in all the States and Union Territories (except Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Union Territory of Daman and Diu), which are attached to the office at Gujarat.
Directors of Census Operations are responsible for the conduct of Census in their respective jurisdiction.
The first step towards executing Census process involves preparation of a complete and unduplicated list of all geographical entities in the country, which include States, Districts, Tehsils/Taluks/ Community Development (CD) Blocks and Villages/Town at a particular point of time. More on Census Jurisdiction
The enumerators, supervisors and other field functionaries visit each and every household and ask questions to filling up Census forms. The information collected about individuals is kept absolutely confidential.
After the field work, the Census forms are transported to data processing centres located at 15 cities across the country. For faster data processing, the Intelligent Character Recognition Software (ICR) is used which saves a huge amount of manual labour and cost. The ICR technology with advanced features scans the Census Forms at high speed and extracts the data automatically. The Census is a statutory exercise conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
With a history of more than 130 years, this reliable, time tested exercise has been bringing out a veritable wealth of statistics. To scholars and researchers in demography, economics, anthropology, sociology, statistics and many other disciplines, the Indian Census has been a fascinating source of data. The rich diversity of the people of India is truly brought out by the decennial census which has become one of the tools to understand and study India.