Census 2011 of India: Population, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate, Density and State-wise Facts for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
In this note
PDF Notes: Census 2011 of India: Population, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate, Density and State-wise Facts for SSC
Premium PDF · one-time payment of ₹5 · instant access
The Census of India 2011 is the base of many SSC questions: "What is the sex ratio of India?", "Which state has the highest literacy rate?" and "Which is the most populous state?" These Census 2011 notes for SSC collect the all-India figures and the state-wise toppers in tables, with the key facts about the census itself.
About the Census
- The census is the count of the population and is conducted every 10 years.
- The first census in India was taken in 1872 (non-synchronous), and the first complete (synchronous) census was in 1881.
- The 2011 census was the 15th census of India (the 7th after independence).
- The census is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The next census (the 16th) is planned for 2027, so check the latest news before the exam.
All-India Figures of Census 2011
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total population | About 121.08 crore (1,210.85 million) |
| Males | About 62.31 crore |
| Females | About 58.75 crore |
| Sex ratio | 943 females per 1,000 males |
| Child sex ratio (0 to 6 years) | 919 |
| Literacy rate | 74.04% (male 82.14%, female 65.46%) |
| Population density | 382 persons per square km |
| Decadal growth (2001-2011) | 17.64% |
State-wise Toppers
| Item | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Uttar Pradesh (about 19.98 crore) | Sikkim |
| Sex ratio | Kerala (1,084) | Haryana (879) |
| Literacy rate | Kerala (about 94%) | Bihar (about 63.8%) |
| Population density (state) | Bihar (1,106) | Arunachal Pradesh (17) |
| Population density (UT) | Delhi (11,297) | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
Union Territory Toppers
| Item | UT |
|---|---|
| Highest population | Delhi |
| Highest sex ratio | Puducherry (1,037) |
| Lowest sex ratio | Daman and Diu |
| Highest literacy | Lakshadweep |
Some UT names and numbers have changed after 2019 (for example, Daman and Diu merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Ladakh became a UT). Learn the Census 2011 figures as they are in the old names.
Important Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sex ratio | The number of females per 1,000 males |
| Literacy rate | The percentage of the population aged 7 years and above who can read and write |
| Density of population | The number of persons per square km |
| Decadal growth rate | The percentage increase of the population in 10 years |
Quick Tips
- Learn the all-India figures first: 121 crore, 943, 74.04%, 382 and 17.64%.
- Learn the highest and the lowest state in each item in a pair.
- Remember that Kerala leads in both the sex ratio and the literacy rate.
- Check the latest census news before the exam.
Quick Revision Points
- The population of India in 2011 was about 121.08 crore.
- The sex ratio was 943 and the literacy rate 74.04%.
- The density was 382 persons per sq km.
- Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state and Kerala has the highest sex ratio.
- The census is taken every 10 years.
Practice Questions With Answers
- What was the population of India in Census 2011?
Answer: About 121.08 crore - What was the sex ratio of India in Census 2011?
Answer: 943 - What was the literacy rate of India in Census 2011?
Answer: 74.04% - What was the population density of India in Census 2011?
Answer: 382 persons per sq km - Which is the most populous state?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh - Which state has the highest sex ratio?
Answer: Kerala - Which state has the lowest sex ratio?
Answer: Haryana - Which state has the highest literacy rate?
Answer: Kerala - Which state has the lowest density of population?
Answer: Arunachal Pradesh - The census of 2011 was which number of the census of India?
Answer: The 15th
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Indian Geography notes page, read the previous topic Transport in India and the next topic Biosphere Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Also read the Indian Geography mind map.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the population of India in 2011?
About 121.08 crore.
What is the sex ratio of India in Census 2011?
943 females per 1,000 males.
What is the literacy rate of India in Census 2011?
74.04%.
What is the density of population of India?
382 persons per square km.
Which state is the most populous?
Uttar Pradesh.
Which state has the highest literacy?
Kerala.
Which state has the highest density?
Bihar.
Which state has the lowest density?
Arunachal Pradesh.
Which state has the lowest sex ratio?
Haryana.
How often is the census taken?
Every 10 years.
Which was the first synchronous census?
The census of 1881.
Is census asked in SSC exams?
Yes. Population facts are asked in the Geography part of SSC General Awareness.
Previous chapter
Transport in India: Railways, National Highways, Ports and Waterways Notes for SSC CGL, CHSL
Next chapter
Biosphere Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries of India: List, States and Conservation Projects for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.