Census 2011 Data
Overview:
- Initial census began in 1872 (Viceroy Mayo).
- Scientific/Decennial census began in 1881 (Viceroy Ripon), setting a 10-year interval.
- First Census Commissioner of India: W.C. Plowden.
- 2011 Census was the 15th overall, 7th since independence (1951), and 14th decennial.
- The 1911-1921 decade is known as the "Great Divide Year" (1921) due to population decrease caused by famine and epidemics.
- 2011 Census Commissioner: C. Chandramouli.
- 2011 Census Motto: "Our Census, Our Future."
- India's 2011 population: 121.09 crores, making it the second most populous nation (now first).
- Decennial growth rate (2001-2011): 17.7%.
- Gender distribution: Males 51.47%, Females 48.53%.
- Largest state by area: Rajasthan; Smallest: Goa.
- Largest Union Territory (UT) by area: Ladakh; Smallest: Lakshadweep.
Population - State-wise:
- Most Populous States:
- Uttar Pradesh (16.51% of India's population)
- Maharashtra
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Least Populous States:
- Sikkim (0.05% of India's population)
- Mizoram
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Goa
- Most Populous States:
Decennial Growth Rate (2001-2011) - State-wise:
- Highest Growth: Meghalaya (27.9%)
- Lowest Growth: Nagaland (-0.6%, only state with negative growth)
Population Density - State/UT-wise:
- India's average density: 382 persons/sq km.
- Highest Density States: Bihar (1106 persons/sq km)
- Lowest Density States: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq km)
- Highest Density UT: Delhi
Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males) - State-wise:
- India's average: 943.
- Highest Sex Ratio States: Kerala (1084, only state with >1000)
- Lowest Sex Ratio States: Haryana (879)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): Highest in Arunachal Pradesh (972), Lowest in Haryana (834).
Literacy Rate - State-wise:
- India's average: 73% (Males: 80.9%, Females: 64.6%).
- Highest Literacy Rate States: Kerala (94%)
- Lowest Literacy Rate States: Bihar (61.8%)
Rural & Urban Population - State-wise:
- Highest Rural Population (percentage): Himachal Pradesh (90%)
- Highest Urban Population (percentage): Goa (62.2%)
- Highest Urban Population (numbers): Maharashtra (5.08 crore)
Scheduled Caste (SC) Population - State-wise:
- Highest SC Population (numbers): Uttar Pradesh (~5.25 crore)
- Highest SC Population (percentage): Punjab (31.9%)
Scheduled Tribe (ST) Population - State-wise:
- Highest ST Population (numbers): Madhya Pradesh (~1.5 crore)
- Highest ST Population (percentage): Mizoram (94%)
Current Affairs
International Agreements:
- India-USA LPG Import Agreement: India signed its first major LPG import deal with the USA for 2.2 million tons per year, accounting for 10% of India's total LPG imports. The agreement is for one year.
- Rafale Fighter Fuselage Production: Dassault Aviation (France) and Tata will produce Rafale fighter fuselages in Hyderabad, India.
- Jogbani-Biratnagar Corridor: A rail link connecting India and Nepal.
- Strategic Cyber Exercise: India and Central Asian countries conducted a strategic cyber exercise in New Delhi.
- Defence Ministry Agreement: The Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the purchase of Invar and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
Awards & Recognitions:
- 72nd Miss World: Opal Suchata from Thailand won the title.
- GI Tags:
- Ambaji Marble from Banaskantha, Gujarat (milky white in color).
- Panna Diamond from Madhya Pradesh.
- GI Tags are granted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
- UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025: Awarded to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (Head of Indian Meteorological Department).
- Rashtriya Gopal Ratna Award 2025:
- Best Dairy Farmer (Indigenous Cow/Buffalo Rearing): Arvind Yashwant Patil (Maharashtra).
- Best Dairy Cooperative Society: Meenangadi Limited (Wayanad, Kerala).
- National e-Governance Award (Gold): Rohini Gram Panchayat (Maharashtra) in the Gram Panchayat Digital Governance category.
- Knightwood Title: Awarded to footballer David Beckham on King Charles III's birthday.
- Women's Young Player of the Year: Anahat Singh (Squash player).
- National Science Museum Council Award: "On the Edge" (Kolkata exhibition) received the CIM Suit Award.
Festivals & Events:
- European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Exercise: A "table-top exercise" was conducted in Mumbai, India.
- Kheer Bhawani Mela: Held in Jammu & Kashmir.
- 20th International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony: Scheduled at Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, starting December 2nd.
- Rolane Festival: A winter festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
- Asian Archery Championship: Held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where India topped the medal table with 10 medals (6 gold), including its first gold in Men's Recurve in 18 years.
Infrastructure & Development:
- World's Highest Rail Arch Bridge: Located on the Chenab River, Jammu & Kashmir, part of the Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (359 meters high).
- Indian Railways AI System - Drishti: Indian Railway collaborated with IIT Guwahati for an AI-based freight train locking and monitoring system to prevent tampering and looting.
- First Vande Bharat Rail Maintenance Depot: To be established in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- King Suheldev Memorial: To be built in Uttar Pradesh.
Reports & Indices:
- Climate Change Performance Index 2025: India ranked 10th.
- World Intellectual Property Indicators Report: India ranked 6th in patent filing.
- Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Campaign: Telangana secured the first place.
Government Initiatives & Policy:
- Uttar Pradesh Education MOU: Uttar Pradesh government signed an MOU with Australia's Monash University to boost education.
- Tobacco Minimum Age: Karnataka increased the minimum age for tobacco purchase from 18 to 21 years under the COTPA Amendment Act.
- Vande Ganga Water Conservation Campaign: Launched in Rajasthan.
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (5-year campaign): Started in 2020, will conclude in 2025 in Amritsar.
Sports:
- IPL 18th Edition (reported as past event): Winner: RCB, Runner-up: Punjab. Orange Cap: Sai Sudarshan. Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna. Youngest IPL debut & century: Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
- 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Organized in Brazil.
- ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (reported as past event): Host: India, Winner: India (defeated South Africa).
- World Boxing Cup 2025 Final: Scheduled to be hosted in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, at Shaheed Vijay Singh Sports Complex.
- Khelo India University Games (5th Edition): Hosted in Rajasthan (starting in Jaipur). Mascot: Khamba Ghani (featuring a camel). New sports include Cycling, Canoeing, Beach Volleyball, and Kayaking.
- French Open Men's Singles (reported as past event): Winner: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain).
International Relations & Organizations:
- UN ECOSOC Membership: India elected as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council for 2026-2028.
- UN Security Council Non-Permanent Members (2026-27): Latvia, Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), and Liberia were elected. India has been a non-permanent member 8 times.
- UN Ocean Conference 2025: To be held in France.
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Six members (Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) initiated "One Stop Travel" for easier transit.
- Northern Zonal Council: 32nd meeting held in Faridabad, Haryana.
- North Eastern Council: Established by the 1971 Act, headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Days & Observances:
- International Student Day: Celebrated annually on November 17th.
- International Day for Tolerance: Celebrated annually on November 16th.
- National Epilepsy Day: Celebrated annually on November 17th.
- National Press Day: Celebrated annually on November 16th.
- International Sports Day: Celebrated annually on June 11th.
Miscellaneous:
- First E-commerce Company with RBI NBFC license: Flipkart.
- Bangladesh Currency Note: Bangladesh removed the image of its "Father of the Nation" from currency notes and abolished the title.
- India's First Indigenous AI Model: Bharat Gen/GPT.
- Sakurajima Volcano Eruption: Located on Kyushu Island, Japan (Japan is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire).
- Axiom-4 Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla (from Lucknow) is the second Indian to go to space under this mission and the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.
- 16th Finance Commission: Chairman: Arvind Panagariya. Secretary: Ritvik Ranjan Pandey. Part-time Member: T. Ravishankar.
- Sadi Arabia Road Accident: 42 Indian pilgrims died in a bus-tanker collision near Medina.
- Blue Flag Beaches: Sonapur and Puri Golden beaches in Odisha received Blue Flag certification.
- India's only mud volcano: Located on Barren Island, erupted after 20 years.
- Daojali Hading: A Neolithic site in Assam, recently explored.