Census of India 2011 (Context & Data)

• Census in India began in 1872 under Viceroy Mayo.
• Decennial (scientific) census began in 1881 under Viceroy Ripon.
• First Census Commissioner of India: W.C. Plowden.
• The 2011 Census was the 15th overall census and the 7th since India's independence (from 1951).
• 1921 is known as the "Year of Great Divide" due to a decline in population growth caused by famine and epidemics.
• 2011 Census Specifics:
  • Commissioner: C. Chandramouli.
  • Motto: "Our Census, Our Future".
  • Population: 121.09 crores (India was second to China in 2011, now it is first).
  • Decadal Growth Rate (2001-2011): 17.7%.
  • Gender Distribution: Female population 48.53%, Male population 51.47%.
  • Area (States & UTs):
    • Largest State: Rajasthan.
    • Smallest State: Goa.
    • Largest Union Territory: Ladakh.
    • Smallest Union Territory: Lakshadweep.
  • Population (States):
    • Highest Population: Uttar Pradesh (16.51% of India's population).
    • Lowest Population: Sikkim (0.05%).
  • Decadal Growth Rate (States):
    • Highest Decadal Growth: Meghalaya (27.9%).
    • Lowest (Negative) Decadal Growth: Nagaland (-0.6%).
  • Population Density:
    • India's Density: 382 persons/sq km.
    • Highest Density (State): Bihar (1106 persons/sq km).
    • Lowest Density (State): Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq km).
    • Highest Density (Overall, including UTs): Delhi (significantly higher than Bihar).
  • Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males):
    • India's Sex Ratio: 943.
    • Highest Sex Ratio (State): Kerala (1084).
    • Lowest Sex Ratio (State): Haryana (879).
  • Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years):
    • Highest Child Sex Ratio: Arunachal Pradesh (972).
    • Lowest Child Sex Ratio: Haryana (834).
  • Literacy Rate:
    • India's Literacy Rate: 73%.
    • Male Literacy: 80.09%.
    • Female Literacy: 64.60%.
    • Highest Literacy (State): Kerala (94%).
    • Lowest Literacy (State): Bihar (61.80%).
  • Rural/Urban Population:
    • Highest Rural Population (Percentage): Himachal Pradesh (90%).
    • Highest Urban Population (Percentage): Goa (62.2%).
    • Highest Urban Population (Number): Maharashtra (5.08 crore).
  • Scheduled Caste (SC) Population:
    • Highest SC Population (Number): Uttar Pradesh (5.25 crore).
    • Highest SC Population (Percentage): Punjab (31.9%).
  • Scheduled Tribe (ST) Population:
    • Highest ST Population (Number): Madhya Pradesh (1.5 crore).
    • Highest ST Population (Percentage): Mizoram (94%).

International Relations & Geopolitics

• G8 Revival: European countries (Germany, France, Italy, UK) have agreed to readmit Russia to the G8 group. This follows a US Peace Plan, presented in Geneva on November 23, 2025, for peace between Russia and Ukraine.
  • G7 history: Started as G6 in 1975, became G7 with Canada, then G8 with Russia in 1997. Russia was expelled in 2014 after its attack on Ukraine, reverting the group to G7.
  • The 2025 G7 meeting was held in Canada. Canada's Prime Minister (as per transcript): Mark Carney.
• India-Thailand Exercise: The 14th edition of the joint military exercise "Maitree" between India and Thailand was held in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• SCO Summit 2025: Held in Tianjin, China.
• Thailand Prime Minister: Anutin Charnvirakul became the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Earlier, Thailand's PM Shinawatra was dismissed for ethics violations.
• Singapore PM Visit: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited India for three days to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
• Adani Power in Bhutan: Adani Power signed an agreement with Bhutan to establish the Bangchhu Hydroelectric Project.
• Nepal Social Media Ban: Nepal banned 26 unregistered social media sites, leading to a violent "Generation Z" protest (Jain G). Following this, PM K.P. Sharma Oli was removed, and Sushila Karki was appointed.
• High Seas Treaty: A 12-member draft committee, chaired by Sanjay Upadhyay, was formed to draft legislation under the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ).
• G20 Summit: The 2026 G20 Summit will be hosted by the USA. The 2025 G20 Summit was held in Johannesburg.
• ATICITI Technology: Related to Australia, Canada, India.
• Floating Artificial Island: China plans to launch the world's first floating artificial island by 2028.

National Developments

• Chief Justice of India (CJI): Justice Suryakant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • He will serve for approximately 15 months, replacing 52nd CJI Justice B.R. Gavai.
  • Justice Suryakant hails from Hisar, Haryana.
  • He was part of the bench that nullified Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir and is currently heading the bench overseeing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aimed at identifying and removing fake voters.
  • CJI Historical Facts:
    • First CJI: Justice H.J. Kania.
    • Longest-serving CJI: Justice Y.V. Chandrachud (16th CJI, 1978-1985).
    • Shortest-serving CJI: Justice Kamal Narain Singh (22nd CJI, 18 days in 1991).
  • CJI retirement age: 65 years.
  • The Supreme Court of India began functioning on January 28, 1950, with an initial structure of 1 Chief Justice and 7 other judges.
  • Appointment of CJI is based on seniority, as per Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
• Indigenous Technology:
  • India's first indigenous tempered glass manufacturing facility was inaugurated in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
  • India's first indigenous microprocessor is "Vikram 32".
• Indian Navy: The Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) shallow water craft, INS Mahe, in Mumbai.
  • INS Mahe is 80% indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It is the first of eight such ASW vessels.
  • Named after Mahe, a district of Puducherry located in Kerala. Also known as "Silent Hunter."
• Government Appointments:
  • T.C.A. Kalyani took charge as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in the Ministry of Finance.
  • C.P. Radhakrishnan, former Governor of Maharashtra, became the 15th Vice President of India.
• Women's Safety: The National Commission for Women (NCW) launched a new 24x7 helpline number, 14490, for women facing violence or distress.
• GST Council: The 56th meeting of the GST Council approved a new GST rate structure of 5%, 18%, and 40%, replacing the 12% and 28% rates.
• Land Records Digitization: Bodoland became the first tribal council to digitize land records.
• Vulture Conservation: India's first Vulture Conservation Portal was launched in Assam.
• SC Commission Courtroom: Punjab's SC Commission established a separate courtroom for faster hearings, a first in the country.

Economy & Finance

• Oman Currency Symbol: The Central Bank of Oman issued a new symbol for its currency, the Omani Rial.
  • Oman's capital is Muscat. India has developed the Duqm Port in Oman.
• Crop Production (2024-25): The country's crop production for 2024-25 is estimated at 357.73 million tons.
• RBI and UPI: RBI initiated UPI 'Tips' Integration, which is related to the Eurozone.

Wildlife & Environment

• Tiger Return to Gujarat: A tiger was sighted in the Ratan Mahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district, Gujarat, after three decades (Gujarat had declared tigers extinct in the state in 1989).
  • Ratan Mahal Wildlife Sanctuary is known for Sloth Bears.
  • Gujarat is home to Asiatic Lions (Gir National Park) and Leopards, and now Tigers. Cheetahs are currently in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Banni Grassland in Kutch, Gujarat, is being prepared for cheetahs.
• Project Tiger: Started in 1973, with Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve (now Ramganga National Park in Uttarakhand) being the first.
• World Tiger Day: Celebrated on July 29.
• Tiger Reserves in India:
  • 58th: Madhav Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh).
  • 57th: Ratapani Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh).
  • 56th: Guru Ghasidas Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh).
  • 55th: Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).
• Cancer Vaccine: Russia unveiled a new mRNA-based cancer vaccine called 'Entermix'.

Awards & Rankings

• Eduniversal Rankings: IIM Ranchi received the UK's AMBA accreditation and was honored with the "Four Palms of Excellence Award" in the Eduniversal 2025 Best Business School category. AMBA (Association of MBAs) is a UK institution recognizing the top 2% of business schools globally.
• Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025: "Educate Girls" (Rajasthan) became the first non-governmental organization from India to win this award.
• NIRF India Ranking 2025: IIT Madras topped the overall category.
• Global Peace Index: India's rank is 115.
• Global Happiness Index: India's rank is 118.
• Venice Film Festival: Anuparna Roy won the Best Director award in the Horizontos category at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.

Arts, Culture & Festivals

• GI Tag for Dao: Arunachal Pradesh's traditional blade 'Dao' received a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
  • Other GI tags from Arunachal Pradesh: Khamti rice, Yak Churpi (Yak cheese), Adi Kekir (ginger), Apatani textile.
  • GI Tag background: Enacted in 1999, implemented in 2003. The first GI tag was awarded to Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal) in 2004.
• Sangai Festival 2025: The 10-day Sangai Festival started in Manipur (November 21-30).
  • Named after the Sangai deer (state animal of Manipur), also known as the "Dancing Deer."
  • The Sangai deer is found in Keibul Lamjao National Park (the world's only floating national park) on Loktak Lake (the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India).
  • Theme of Sangai Festival: "Where Flowers Harmonize" (Jahan Phool Taalmel Bithate Hain).
  • Other festivals in Manipur: Mera Hiao Chongba (unity festival), Lai Haroba, Shirui Lily Festival.
  • Martial Art of Manipur: Thang-Ta.
• Self-Respect Movement: Tamil Nadu celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Self-Respect Movement, which was started by E.V. Ramasamy.
• Adivani Portal: Related to the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
• "Mother Mary Comes to Me": Book written by Arundhati Roy.
• "Operation Sindoor": Book written by K.G.S. Dhillon.

Sports

• Davis Cup 2025: Italy won its fourth Davis Cup title, defeating Spain in the final. Italy was also the host nation. The USA holds the record for most titles (32).
• Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship: India topped the medal tally at the 25th Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship held in Ahmedabad.
• Badminton:
  • Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won a bronze medal at the BWF World Championship 2025 in Paris.
  • Delhi (India) will host the 2026 Badminton World Championship.
  • Lakshya Sen won the Australian Open 2025 Badminton title.
• Asian Aquatics Championship: The 11th Asian Aquatics Championship was held in Ahmedabad, with "Jalveer" as its mascot. India secured the first place.
• Asia Cup Hockey 2025: India won by defeating South Korea.
• Asia Cup Cricket: India won by defeating Pakistan.
• US Open 2025 (Men's Singles): Won by Carlos Alcaraz.
• World Youth Scrabble Championship 2025: Madhav Gopal Kamat won this championship in Malaysia, becoming the first Indian to do so.
• Indian Army Exercises: 'Yuddha Kaushal Abhyas 3.0' and 'Achook Prahar Abhyas' were organized by the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh.
• IAF Tejas Crash: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas aircraft crashed during an air show in Dubai.

Obituaries

• Dharmendra (Bollywood Actor): The veteran Bollywood actor, popularly known as "He-Man," passed away at 89.
  • His film career spanned from 1960 (first film "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere") to an upcoming final film "21". He acted in over 300 films.
  • Awards: Padma Bhushan (2012).
  • Political Career: Served as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, Rajasthan (2004-2009).
  • Famous films include Sholay (1975), Dharam Veer, Hukumat, and Yamla Pagla Deewana.

Miscellaneous

• International Literacy Day: September 8.
• UNFPA India: Appointed Kriti Sanon as an honorary ambassador for gender equality.