Census 2011 Highlights
Census History & Administration:
- First census: 1872 (Viceroy: Lord Mayo).
- First decennial/scientific census: 1881 (Viceroy: Lord Ripon).
- First Census Commissioner of India: W.C. Plowden.
- 1921: Known as the "Great Divide Year" due to lowest population growth rate (decrease) caused by famines and epidemics in 1911-21 decade.
2011 Census Overview:
- 15th overall census, 14th decennial, 7th post-independence.
- Census Commissioner: C. Chandramouli.
- Motto: "Our Census, Our Future."
- India's population: 121.09 crore (second globally at the time, now first).
- Decadal growth rate (2001-2011): 17.7%.
- Population composition: 48.53% female, 51.47% male.
Geographical Data (Area):
- Largest state: Rajasthan.
- Smallest state: Goa.
- Largest Union Territory (UT): Ladakh.
- Smallest UT: Lakshadweep.
Population Data:
- Highest Population States:
- Uttar Pradesh (16.51% of India's population)
- Maharashtra
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Lowest Population States:
- Sikkim (0.05%)
- Mizoram
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Goa
- Highest Population States:
Decadal Growth Rate (2001-2011):
- Highest: Meghalaya (27.9%).
- Lowest (Negative Growth): Nagaland (-0.6%) - only state with negative growth.
Population Density (Persons per sq km):
- India's average: 382.
- Highest state: Bihar (1106).
- Lowest state: Arunachal Pradesh (17).
- Highest UT: Delhi (also highest overall in India).
- Lowest UT: Lakshadweep.
Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males):
- India's average: 943.
- Highest state: Kerala (1084) - only state with >1000 females per 1000 males.
- Lowest state: Haryana (879).
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years):
- Highest state: Arunachal Pradesh (972).
- Lowest state: Haryana (834).
Literacy Rate (7+ years):
- India's average: 73%.
- Male literacy: 80.09%.
- Female literacy: 64.60%.
- Highest state: Kerala (94%).
- Lowest state: Bihar (61.80%).
Rural and Urban Population:
- Highest Rural Population (percentage): Himachal Pradesh (90%).
- Highest Urban Population (percentage): Goa (62%).
- Highest Urban Population (absolute number): Maharashtra (5.08 crore).
Scheduled Caste (SC) Population:
- Highest (absolute number): Uttar Pradesh (approx. 5.25 crore).
- Highest (percentage of state population): Punjab (31.9%).
Scheduled Tribe (ST) Population:
- Highest (absolute number): Madhya Pradesh (approx. 1.5 crore).
- Highest (percentage of state population): Mizoram (94%).
Current Affairs (as of October 2025 in lecture)
UNESCO Virtual Museum:
- UNESCO launched the world's first virtual museum for stolen cultural objects in collaboration with Interpol and funded by Saudi Arabia.
- Website designed by Pritzker Prize winner Francis Kéré, in the shape of a Baobab tree.
- Indian artifacts included: Nataj statue and Brahma statue (from Chhattisgarh).
- Launched at the Mondiacult 2025 conference in Barcelona, Spain.
Military Exercises:
- Austra Hind 2025 (4th edition): Joint military exercise between India and Australia, held in Perth, Australia. Indian participation by Gorkha Battalion.
- Maitri Exercise: India and Thailand, held in Umroi, Meghalaya.
- Bold Kurukshetra: India and Singapore, held in Rajasthan.
- Amogh Fury: Held in Rajasthan.
- Cyclone: India and Egypt, held in Rajasthan.
- Samannay Shakti 25: Military-civilian integration exercise held in Assam and Manipur.
- Khanjar Exercise: Mentioned as a general current affairs topic.
Defense & Technology:
- Central government approved a ₹62,000 crore deal for 97 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft, replacing MiG-21s.
- Agni-5 ballistic missile (ICBM) tested from Chandipur, Odisha.
- DRDO successfully tested the Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) in Odisha.
Environmental & Conservation:
- Green Hydrogen Plants: Second plant in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh; first in Kandla, Gujarat.
- Blue Flag Certification:
- Awarded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) based on 33 standards across 4 categories (Environmental Management, Education, Safety, and Water Quality).
- 5 beaches in Maharashtra received certification: Srivardhan, Nagam, Pernaka, Guhagar, Ladghar.
- India's first: Chandrabhaga Beach, Odisha.
- Recent recipients: Thundi and Kadmat beaches (Lakshadweep), Kappad beach (Kerala).
- IUCN Canton R Miller Award:
- Awarded at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- First Indian recipient: Sonali Ghosh (Director of Kaziranga National Park, Assam) for conservation of one-horned rhinos.
- Indian Wolf (भेड़िया) classified as "Vulnerable" by IUCN for the first time.
- IUCN's World Heritage Outlook Report: Only India's Khangchendzonga (Sikkim) rated "good" among natural/mixed sites; 80% of natural sites face threats.
- Pampa River: Kerala's Pampa River included in National River Conservation Plan.
- Marine Elite Force: Tamil Nadu announced second Marine Elite Force for Olive Ridley turtle protection.
- Second Largest Tiger Reserve: Sundarbans (West Bengal) to become second largest after Nagarjunsagar Srisailam.
International Relations & Organizations:
- Durand Line Conflict: Bloody conflict reported between Pakistan and Afghanistan along the Durand Line (2640 km, established 1893).
- WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee (78th session): Held in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Oct 13-15). India represented by Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel. (77th session in 2024 was in New Delhi).
- Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Development Institute: India chosen as President. Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- International Big Cat Alliance: Nepal officially joined.
Awards & Recognition:
- Filmfare Awards 2025 (70th Edition):
- Venue: Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad.
- Most awards (13): "Laapataa Ladies".
- Best Film: "Laapataa Ladies".
- Best Director: Kiran Rao ("Laapataa Ladies").
- Best Actor: Abhishek Bachchan and Kartik Aaryan.
- Best Actress: Alia Bhatt.
- Best Supporting Actor: Ravishaan ("Laapataa Ladies").
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Shyam Benegal and Zeenat Aman.
- IIFA Awards: Best Film "Laapataa Ladies", Best Actor Kartik Aaryan, Best Actress Nitanshi Mohan.
- National Film Awards: Best Film "12th Fail", Best Actor Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey, Best Actress Rani Mukerji.
- Nobel Prize in Economics 2025 (Riksbank Prize):
- Awarded to: Joel Mokyr, Philip Aghion, Peter Howitt.
- Reason: For explaining innovation-driven economic growth.
- Lalit Kala Akademi Award: Premchand Pukharam Bam (Manipur) received the award.
- Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, Pulitzer Prize, Padma Vibhushan Awards, International Booker Prize: Mentioned as current affairs topics relevant for exams.
- Filmfare Awards 2025 (70th Edition):
Economy & Governance:
- Online Gaming Bill 2025: Includes penalties of 3 years imprisonment or ₹1 crore fine.
- Shramshree Yojana (West Bengal): Provides ₹5,000/month financial aid to migrant workers.
- IMD World Competitiveness Ranking: India's rank 41 (Innovation rank 38).
- Semiconductor Innovation Museum: India's first opened in Hyderabad, Telangana, under the "T-Chip Program" (Technology Chip Innovation Program) to promote self-reliance in chip manufacturing.
- New Research Station in Antarctica: Finance Ministry approved "Maitri II" in East Antarctica to replace Maitri by 2029. India's stations: Dakshin Gangotri (defunct), Maitri, Bharati.
Social & Infrastructure:
- Madrasa Board & Minority Education Authority: Uttarakhand dissolved Madrasa Board, formed a Minority Education Authority.
- Digital Literate State: Kerala achieved 100% digital literacy.
- First Khelo India Water Sports Festival: Held in Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh topped the medal table.
- New Pamban Bridge: India's first vertical lift rail bridge in Tamil Nadu.
- Urban Ropeway Transport System: First in India, to be built in Varanasi.
- Operation Sanskar: Started in Dungarpur, Rajasthan.
Important Days:
- International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: October 13 (started 1989). Theme: "Fund for Resilience, not for Disaster." Related to Sendai Framework (2015-2030, Japan).
- National Space Day: August 23.
- Voters Day, Constitution Day, Human Rights Day, Ozone Day: Mentioned as current affairs topics.
Other:
- NASA AI Model for Solar Storms ("SURYA"): Developed in collaboration with IBM for solar storm prediction.
- Indian Boxing Federation President: Ajay Singh re-appointed for a third term.
- 134th Durand Cup Trophy: Won by North East Football Club (headed by John Abraham).
- Pushkar Kumbh Mela: Mentioned as a current affairs topic.