Census of India: History and 2011 Census Data

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.In India, the census is conducted after every:

   • A.five years
   • B.seven years
   • C.ten years✓ Correct Answer
   • D.twenty years

   Explanation: India's census is a decennial exercise.

2. Q2.According to the 2011 Census, the most populous State of India is:

   • A.Maharashtra
   • B.Bihar
   • C.West Bengal
   • D.Uttar Pradesh✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Uttar Pradesh had about 19.98 crore people in 2011, followed by Maharashtra.

3. Q3.According to the 2011 Census, the least populous State of India is:

   • A.Mizoram
   • B.Goa
   • C.Arunachal Pradesh
   • D.Sikkim✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Sikkim had about 6.1 lakh people in 2011.

4. Q4.The literacy rate of India as per the 2011 Census was:

   • A.65.38 per cent
   • B.74.04 per cent✓ Correct Answer
   • C.52.21 per cent
   • D.82.14 per cent

   Explanation: The 2011 literacy rate was 74.04 per cent (male 82.14, female 65.46).

5. Q5.The overall sex ratio of India in the 2011 Census was:

   • A.943 females per 1,000 males✓ Correct Answer
   • B.1,000 females per 1,000 males
   • C.927 females per 1,000 males
   • D.972 females per 1,000 males

   Explanation: The sex ratio improved from 933 in 2001 to 943 in 2011.

6. Q6.India's population according to the 2011 Census was about:

   • A.102 crore
   • B.136 crore
   • C.121 crore✓ Correct Answer
   • D.95 crore

   Explanation: The 2011 Census counted 121.09 crore people.

7. Q7.The first synchronous census of India, conducted on the same date across the country, was held in:

   • A.1872
   • B.1881✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1891
   • D.1901

   Explanation: The 1872 count was not synchronous; the 1881 census under Lord Ripon was the first regular, synchronous census.

8. Q8.The first census after India's independence was conducted in:

   • A.1951✓ Correct Answer
   • B.1947
   • C.1950
   • D.1961

   Explanation: The 1951 Census was the first census of independent India.

9. Q9.The census in India is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which functions under the:

   • A.Ministry of Finance
   • B.NITI Aayog
   • C.Ministry of Home Affairs✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Election Commission

   Explanation: The Census Commissioner works under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

10. Q10.Which State had the highest literacy rate in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Kerala✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Mizoram
    • C.Goa
    • D.Tripura

    Explanation: Kerala recorded 93.91 per cent literacy.

11. Q11.Which State had the lowest literacy rate in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Uttar Pradesh
    • B.Rajasthan
    • C.Bihar✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Jharkhand

    Explanation: Bihar recorded 63.82 per cent literacy.

12. Q12.Which State had the highest sex ratio in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Tamil Nadu
    • B.Andhra Pradesh
    • C.Odisha
    • D.Kerala✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Kerala had 1,084 females per 1,000 males.

13. Q13.Which State had the lowest sex ratio in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Haryana✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Punjab
    • C.Rajasthan
    • D.Uttar Pradesh

    Explanation: Haryana had 879 females per 1,000 males.

14. Q14.The child sex ratio (0-6 years) of India in the 2011 Census was:

    • A.919✓ Correct Answer
    • B.933
    • C.943
    • D.1,000

    Explanation: The child sex ratio fell from 927 in 2001 to 919 in 2011.

15. Q15.The population density of India in the 2011 Census was about:

    • A.325 persons per sq km
    • B.450 persons per sq km
    • C.267 persons per sq km
    • D.382 persons per sq km✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Density rose from 325 in 2001 to 382 in 2011.

16. Q16.Which State had the highest population density in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Kerala
    • B.West Bengal
    • C.Bihar✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Uttar Pradesh

    Explanation: Bihar had about 1,102 persons per sq km among the States.

17. Q17.The Census in India is conducted under the:

    • A.Registration Act, 1908
    • B.Census Act, 1948✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Representation of the People Act, 1951
    • D.Statistics Collection Act, 1953

    Explanation: The Census Act, 1948 provides the legal framework for the decennial census.

18. Q18.The decadal growth rate of India's population during 2001-2011 was:

    • A.21.54 per cent
    • B.17.64 per cent✓ Correct Answer
    • C.24.80 per cent
    • D.13.20 per cent

    Explanation: The growth rate fell from 21.54 per cent in 1991-2001 to 17.64 per cent.

19. Q19.Which State had the lowest population density in the 2011 Census?

    • A.Sikkim
    • B.Mizoram
    • C.Nagaland
    • D.Arunachal Pradesh✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh had about 17 persons per sq km.

20. Q20.The 2011 Census was the ___ census since Independence.

    • A.fifth
    • B.seventh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.sixth
    • D.eighth

    Explanation: Counting from 1951 (first) the 2011 Census was the seventh after Independence and the fifteenth overall.