Census 2011

• Census History
  • First census: 1872, Lord Mayo (Viceroy).
  • First decadal census (scientific basis): 1881, Lord Ripon (Viceroy).
  • First Census Commissioner of India: W.C. Plowden.
  • 1921: Known as the "Great Divide Year" due to a decrease in population growth (1911-21 decade) caused by famine and epidemics.
• 2011 Census Overview
  • 15th census overall, 7th after independence (since 1951), and 14th decadal census.
  • Commissioner: C. Chandramouli.
  • Motto: "Our Census Our Future".
  • Total population: 121.09 crore (second globally at the time).
  • Decadal growth rate (2001-2011): 17.7%.
  • Gender distribution: Males 51.47%, Females 48.53%.
• Population by State/UT (2011 Census)
  • Area-wise:
    • Largest State: Rajasthan.
    • Smallest State: Goa.
    • Largest Union Territory: Ladakh.
    • Smallest Union Territory: Lakshadweep.
  • Population (Numbers):
    • Highest:
      1. Uttar Pradesh (16.51% of India's population)
      2. Maharashtra
      3. Bihar
      4. West Bengal
    • Lowest:
      1. Sikkim (0.05%)
      2. Mizoram
      3. Arunachal Pradesh
      4. Goa
• Decadal Growth Rate (2011 Census)
  • Highest: Meghalaya (27.9%).
  • Lowest (Negative Growth): Nagaland (-0.6%).
• Population Density (2011 Census)
  • India's average: 382 persons/sq km.
  • Highest State: Bihar (1106 persons/sq km).
  • Lowest State: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq km).
  • Highest Overall (including UTs): Delhi (significantly higher than Bihar).
• Sex Ratio (2011 Census)
  • India's average: 943 females/1000 males.
  • Highest State: Kerala (1084 females/1000 males) - the only state with a ratio above 1000.
  • Lowest State: Haryana (879 females/1000 males).
• Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Years, 2011 Census)
  • Highest: Arunachal Pradesh (972).
  • Lowest: Haryana (834).
• Literacy Rate (2011 Census)
  • 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 (2011 Census)
  • Highest Rural Population (percentage of state population): Himachal Pradesh (90%).
  • Highest Urban Population (percentage of state population): Goa (62.2%).
  • Highest Urban Population (total numbers): Maharashtra (5.08 crore).
• SC/ST Population (2011 Census)
  • Scheduled Castes (SC):
    • Highest (numbers): Uttar Pradesh (approx. 5.25 crore).
    • Highest (percentage of state population): Punjab (31.9%).
  • Scheduled Tribes (ST):
    • Highest (numbers): Madhya Pradesh (approx. 1.5 crore).
    • Highest (percentage of state population): Mizoram (94%).

International Current Affairs

• Cameroon President: Paul Biya, 92, became the world's oldest president. He has been in office since 1982 and is serving his 8th consecutive term. Capital: Yaoundé.
• South Korea's Highest Honor: The Grand Order of Mugunghwa and the Cheonmachong Gold Crown (from the Silla dynasty) were awarded to former US President Donald Trump. He is the first US President to receive this honor. South Korea's capital is Seoul and currency is Won. The 38th parallel defines the border between North and South Korea.
• Russia's Poseidon Drone: Russia tested the nuclear-powered Poseidon underwater drone, described as "impossible to stop." This drone can create a "radioactive tsunami" and travels at speeds up to 200 km/h underwater.
• Exoplanet Discovery: A new "Super-Earth," GJ 251 C, has been discovered 18 light-years from Earth. It is a rocky planet with 2.5 times Earth's mass and is located in the "Goldilocks Zone," where conditions might allow for liquid water and potentially life. It orbits a star in the Canis constellation.

National Current Affairs

• GI Tag Export: India exported GI-tagged Indi lemons (Karnataka) and Puliyankudi lemons (Tamil Nadu) to the United Kingdom (England) for the first time. This 500 kg consignment was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
  • The GI tag (Geographical Indication) is governed by the GI Act of 1999, implemented in 2003. The first GI tag in India was awarded to Darjeeling Tea in 2004. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry oversees GI tags.
• Aerospace Manufacturing: Tata Advanced Systems (India) and Safran (France) jointly inaugurated a manufacturing unit for LEAP engine parts in Hyderabad, Telangana. LEAP engines are used in modern aircraft, offering 15% better fuel efficiency and reduced noise.
• India's Power Capacity: As of September 30, 2025, India's total installed electricity generation capacity reached 500.89 GW, up from 249 GW in 2014 (Ministry of Power data).
  • Non-fossil fuel (renewable) sources contribute 256 GW (over 51% of total), exceeding the target of 50% by 2030.
  • Fossil fuel sources contribute 245 GW.
  • Renewable energy breakdown: Solar (127 GW), Wind (53 GW).
• Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati: His death anniversary was observed.
  • Childhood name: Moolshankar. Born in 1824 in Gujarat.
  • Founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
  • Opposed idol worship and gave the slogan "Go back to Vedas."
  • Initiated the "Shuddhi Andolan" (reconversion movement).
  • First Indian to use the term "Swaraj" in 1876.
  • Authored the book "Satyarth Prakash."
  • Passed away in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• International Salinity Conference 3.0 (We Care 2025): Held at ICAR-CCARI (Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute) in Goa. The conference aims to address food insecurity resulting from increased soil and water salinity.
  • The 3rd conference of the National e-Vidhan App (NEVA), aimed at making state legislatures paperless, was held in Delhi.
  • The 3rd Pravasi Parichay Mahotsav was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas): Celebrated on October 31st to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Known as the "Iron Man of India" for integrating 565 princely states into the Indian Union, using a "Carrot and Stick" policy.
  • Born in Nadiad, Gujarat.
  • The Statue of Unity, located in Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, Gujarat, stands at 182 meters, designed by sculptor Ram V. Sutar.
  • Led the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928, where he earned the title "Sardar" from local women.
  • Presided over the Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress in 1931.
  • Theme for 2025: "Ek Bharat Atmanirbhar Bharat."
  • Bharat Parv 2025 will be celebrated from November 1st to 15th, concluding on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
• Adarsh Yuva Gram Sabha Initiative: The Central Government will launch this initiative in New Delhi. It is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and Ministry of Education, starting from October 30.

Other News

• ICC Women's World Cup semi-final: India defeated Australia in a historic run chase at D.Y. Patil Stadium, reaching the final scheduled for November 2.
• Economic Freedom Index 2025: India ranked 128th globally.
• India-Bhutan Rail Link: The first cross-border rail connection will link Kokrajhar (India) to Gelephu (Bhutan) and Banarhat (India) to Samtse (Bhutan).
• AstroSat: India's first dedicated space astronomy observatory completed a decade since its launch by PSLV C30 in 2015.
• Spice Route Initiative: Launched by Kerala for connecting ancient ports and heritage sites.
• International Translation Day: Celebrated on September 30.
• First Indian Boxing Federation Cup: To be held in Chennai.
• Rabi Track River App: Launched in Puducherry, related to rabies disease.
• Huazhiang Grand Canyon Bridge: Inaugurated in China, with a height of 2050 feet.
• Slum-Free City: Chandigarh achieved the distinction of becoming India's first slum-free city.
• Child Marriage-Free District: Balod district in Chhattisgarh became India's first officially child marriage-free district.
• NCC Director General: Virendra Vats appointed as Director General of the National Cadet Corps.
• International Day of Non-Violence: Celebrated on October 2.
• Gaj Rakshak App: Launched in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, for elephant monitoring.
• Time 100 Next List: Yashasvi Jaiswal was the only cricketer included.
• Global Tourism Award: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department received the Global News Network's global tourism award.
• Right Livelihood Award: Conferred upon "Justice for Myanmar," Julian from Vanuatu, and the "Emergency Response Team" from Sudan.
• Anant Shastra System: Formerly known as QR-SAM (Quick Response Surface-to-Air Missile).
• Sonam Wangchuk: The climate activist was arrested under preventive detention (Article 22 of the Constitution).
• Wheat Cultivation in Desert Soil: Successful cultivation using new desert soil formation techniques in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan.
• UPSC Centenary: Union Public Service Commission celebrated its centenary in 2025, established based on the Lee Commission recommendations (1925).
• Payment Regulatory Board: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) established a six-member Payment Regulatory Board.
• Syphon-Operated Thermal Desalination System: Developed by the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, to convert seawater into potable water.
• Namo Van: Its foundation stone was laid in Haryana by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (Deceased): Associated with the swarmandal musical instrument.
• ICC Men's T20 Batsman Ranking: Abhishek Sharma set a new record with 931 rating points.
• Most Populated Cities (2025): Tokyo ranked as the world's most populated city.
• Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT): Implemented between India and Singapore.
• Tata Aerospace: Tata Advanced Systems will establish India's first private sector H125 helicopter final assembly line in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (C295 transport aircraft assembly is in Vadodara, Gujarat).
• Pulse Self-Sufficiency Mission: A 6-year mission (until 2030-31) initiated for self-sufficiency in pulses like Arhar (Tur), Urad, and Masoor.
• Carbon Fertilization: A study revealed that carbon fertilization is changing the size of trees in the Amazon forests, leading to the Amazon Face project.
• ISSF Junior World Cup: India secured the top position in the point table.