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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:
      1. Uttar Pradesh (16.51% of India's population)
      2. Maharashtra
      3. Bihar
      4. West Bengal
    • Lowest Population States:
      1. Sikkim (0.05%)
      2. Mizoram
      3. Arunachal Pradesh
      4. Goa
  • 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.
  • 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.