Tracing the Journey: The History of Census in India and Its Impact
The Census of India is one of the most significant demographic surveys, providing crucial data on population size, growth, distribution, and socio-economic characteristics. It has been conducted systematically since 1872, making it one of the oldest census systems in the world.
From Colonial Roots to Modern Insights: The History of Census in India
1. Early Census Attempts (Pre-1872)
Before the British established a formal census system, various rulers conducted population counts for taxation and military purposes. These early efforts were not standardized or nationwide.
i. The Mughal Empire estimated population figures based on revenue records.
ii. In 1801, Governor-General Lord Wellesley attempted a partial population survey in some British-controlled territories.
iii. Several provinces, such as Madras (1822) and Bengal (1836-1837), conducted regional censuses.
2. First Indian Census (1872)
1. The first organized population count in India was conducted in 1872 under British rule.
2. It was not a simultaneous census but was conducted in different regions at different times.
3. The data collected included basic demographic information like age, gender, caste, and occupation.
However, this census lacked uniformity, and its accuracy was questionable.
3. First Complete and Synchronized Census (1881)
1. The 1881 Census was the first systematic and complete census covering the entire country.
2. Conducted under W.C. Plowden, the Census Commissioner of India.
3. The data collected included population size, religious composition, caste, occupation, and literacy rates.
4. From this point, the Indian Census was conducted every 10 years without interruption.
1. History of census in india before independence
i. British-Era Censuses (1891-1941)
During British rule, the census continued every decade with improvements in data collection methods.
1891 Census: Introduced more detailed questions on housing and economic conditions.
1901 Census: First census after the Plague Epidemic of 1896-97, showing a population decline due to disease.
1911 Census: Revealed the impact of famine and epidemics on population growth.
1921 Census (Year of Great Divide): India recorded a decline in population growth rate for the first and only time due to famine, epidemics, and World War I.
1931 Census: Provided detailed caste-based data.
1941 Census: Conducted during World War II, but full processing of data was incomplete due to war disruptions.
2. History of census in india after independence
i. Post-Independence Censuses (1951-Present)
i. After India gained independence in 1947, the Census of India continued under the supervision of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
ii. 1951 Census (First Census of Independent India/First census of India after independence)
iii. Recorded India’s population at 361 million.
iv. Focused on refugee resettlement post-Partition.
v. Initiated planning for economic and social development.
ii. 1961 Census in India
1) First census to collect data on economic activities of the population.
2) Introduced data processing using electronic machines for the first time.
iii. Census OF INDIA 1971
a) Population crossed 548 million.
b) Highlighted rapid urbanization.
c) Provided detailed information on agriculture and employment.
iv. 1981 Census of India Religion
a) Introduced computer-based data processing.
b) Population reached 683 million.
c) Literacy rate calculation became more refined.
v. Census 1991 Population data
a) India’s population surpassed 846 million.
b) First time gender ratio decline was seriously analyzed.
c) Major focus on migration patterns.
vi. 2001 Census of India pdf
a) India crossed the 1 billion population mark.
b) Major improvements in digital data collection.
c) Introduced household-level surveys for socio-economic data.
vii. Census of India 2011 (Latest Completed Census)
a) Population: 1.21 billion (121 crore).
b) Literacy rate: 74%.
c) Sex ratio: 940 females per 1,000 males.
d) First time collecting data on disability and transgenders.
N.B. : - 2021 Census (Postponed Due to COVID-19)
a) The 2021 Census was delayed due to the pandemic and is yet to be conducted.
b) It is expected to be India’s first fully digital census using mobile apps and online data collection.
Importance of the Census
i) Helps in Policy Making: Provides data for government planning and resource allocation.
ii) Urban and Rural Development: Identifies areas needing infrastructure improvements.
iii) Education & Employment Planning: Tracks literacy rates and workforce availability.
iv) Health & Population Growth Management: Helps in planning healthcare services.
Fun Facts About India's Census
i) India’s census is the largest administrative exercise in the world.
ii) The 2021 Census will be the first digital census using online data collection.
iii) The 1921 Census is known as the "Year of Great Divide" due to the population decline.
iv) Uttar Pradesh has remained the most populous state since the first census.
v) Lakshadweep has consistently had the lowest population.
Gk Question and Answer on Census of India in English
1. When was the first census conducted in India?
a) 1857
b) 1861
c) 1872 ✅
d) 1881
Answer: - c) 1872 ✅
2. Which year marked the first complete and synchronized census in India?
a) 1872
b) 1881 ✅
c) 1901
d) 1921
Answer: - b) 1881 ✅
3. Who was the Census Commissioner of India during the first complete census in 1881?
a) Lord Ripon
b) W.C. Plowden ✅
c) James Prinsep
d) Lord Curzon
Answer: - b) W.C. Plowden ✅
4. In which year was the "Year of Great Divide" recorded in the Indian Census?
a) 1901
b) 1921 ✅
c) 1941
d) 1951
Answer: - b) 1921 ✅
5. What was the population of India according to the first post-independence census in 1951?
a) 321 million
b) 361 million ✅
c) 421 million
d) 500 million
Answer: - b) 361 million ✅
6. When did India’s population cross the 1 billion mark?
a) 1991
b) 2001 ✅
c) 2011
d) 2021
Answer: - b) 2001 ✅
7. Which British Governor-General conducted an early attempt at population estimation in 1801?
a) Lord Cornwallis
b) Lord Wellesley ✅
c) Lord Dalhousie
d) Lord Curzon
Answer: - b) Lord Wellesley ✅
8. In which year was data on transgenders collected for the first time in an Indian Census?
a) 1991
b) 2001
c) 2011 ✅
d) 2021
Answer: - c) 2011 ✅
9. Which census was the first to introduce computer-based data processing?
a) 1961 ✅
b) 1971
c) 1981
d) 1991
Answer: - a) 1961 ✅
10. What was India’s literacy rate as per the 2011 Census?
a) 65%
b) 70%
c) 74% ✅
d) 78%
Answer: - c) 74% ✅
11. Which state has remained the most populous since the first census?
a) Maharashtra
b) West Bengal
c) Uttar Pradesh ✅
d) Bihar
Answer: - c) Uttar Pradesh ✅
12. Which of the following states has consistently had the lowest population in India?
a) Sikkim
b) Mizoram
c) Lakshadweep ✅
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: - c) Lakshadweep ✅
13. Who is responsible for conducting the Census of India?
a) Ministry of Home Affairs
b) Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India ✅
c) National Statistical Office
d) Planning Commission
Answer: - b) Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India ✅
14. The 2021 Census of India was postponed due to which reason?
a) Lack of funds
b) Political instability
c) COVID-19 pandemic ✅
d) Technical issues
Answer: - c) COVID-19 pandemic ✅
15. Which census introduced detailed caste-based data?
a) 1891
b) 1901
c) 1931 ✅
d) 1951
Answer: - c) 1931 ✅
16. What was India’s sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) according to the 2011 Census?
a) 930
b) 940 ✅
c) 950
d) 960
Answer: - b) 940 ✅
17. What was the major focus of the 1991 Census?
a) Urbanization
b) Gender ratio decline ✅
c) Digital data processing
d) Tribal population
Answer: - b) Gender ratio decline ✅
18. Which census was conducted during World War II but remained incomplete?
a) 1911
b) 1921
c) 1931
d) 1941 ✅
Answer: - d) 1941 ✅
19. Which census was the first to introduce online data collection in India?
a) 2001
b) 2011
c) 2021 ✅
d) Not yet implemented
Answer: - c) 2021 ✅
20. What major addition was made in the 2011 Census of India?
a) Introduction of National Population Register (NPR) ✅
b) Introduction of online data collection
c) Removal of literacy-related questions
d) Conducting the census every five years
Answer: - a) Introduction of National Population Register (NPR) ✅
21. Which ancient Indian text mentions early population counting?
a) Manusmriti
b) Rig Veda ✅
c) Ramayana
d) Mahabharata
Answer: - b) Rig Veda ✅
22. Who emphasized the importance of the census in his book 'Arthashastra'?
a) Ashoka
b) Chanakya (Kautilya) ✅
c) Harsha
d) Babur
Answer: - b) Chanakya (Kautilya) ✅
23. Which Mughal emperor included population data in his administrative report ‘Ain-e-Akbari’?
a) Babur
b) Akbar ✅
c) Aurangzeb
d) Jahangir
Answer: - b) Akbar ✅
24. Which was the first Indian city to have a complete census in 1830?
a) Allahabad
b) Dacca (now Dhaka) ✅
c) Madras
d) Calcutta
Answer: - b) Dacca (now Dhaka) ✅
25. Which census introduced the concept of "Mother Tongue" in India?
a) 1881
b) 1891
c) 1931 ✅
d) 1941
Answer: - c) 1931 ✅
26. Which census was the first to record details on housing amenities?
a) 1830
b) 1872
c) 1901 ✅
d) 1921
Answer: - c) 1901 ✅
27. Which of the following was NOT included in the 1872 Census?
a) Religion
b) Caste
c) Literacy
d) Income ✅
Answer: - d) Income ✅
28. Which was the last census conducted in pre-independent India?
a) 1931
b) 1941 ✅
c) 1951
d) 1961
Answer: - b) 1941 ✅
29. Which was the first census to introduce employment-related questions?
a) 1931 ✅
b) 1951
c) 1961
d) 1971
Answer: - a) 1931 ✅
30. Which act legally formalized the Indian Census process?
a) The Population Survey Act
b) The Census Act, 1948 ✅
c) The Statistics Act, 1952
d) The National Data Act, 1960
Answer: - b) The Census Act, 1948 ✅
31. Which census first introduced information on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?
a) 1881
b) 1891
c) 1931 ✅
d) 1941
Answer: - c) 1931 ✅
32. Which of the following factors contributed to the population decline in the 1921 Census?
a) Industrialization
b) Wars and natural disasters
c) Epidemics and famines ✅
d) Migration to foreign countries
Answer: - c) Epidemics and famines ✅
33. Which Indian state had the highest population density as per the 2011 Census?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) West Bengal
c) Bihar ✅
d) Kerala
Answer: - c) Bihar ✅
34. Which Indian state had the lowest population density as per the 2011 Census?
a) Arunachal Pradesh ✅
b) Mizoram
c) Nagaland
d) Sikkim
Answer: - a) Arunachal Pradesh ✅
35. Which was the first Indian census to use digital data collection?
a) 1991
b) 2001
c) 2011
d) 2021 ✅
Answer: - d) 2021 ✅
36. Which Indian Census first introduced a question on disability?
a) 1991
b) 2001 ✅
c) 2011
d) 2021
Answer: - b) 2001 ✅
37. Which census first introduced urban and rural classification?
a) 1881
b) 1891
c) 1901 ✅
d) 1911
Answer: - c) 1901 ✅
38. Which of the following data was first collected in the 2011 Census?
a) Total fertility rate
b) Migration patterns
c) Number of computers in households ✅
d) Literacy rate
Answer: - c) Number of computers in households ✅
39. How often is the Indian Census conducted?
a) Every 5 years
b) Every 10 years ✅
c) Every 15 years
d) Every 20 years
Answer: - b) Every 10 years ✅
40. Which Indian Census was the first to introduce gender-based workforce participation data?
a) 1901
b) 1931 ✅
c) 1951
d) 1981
Answer: - b) 1931 ✅
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