Indian Population, Census 2011 and Urbanisation Notes for UPSC

Population is the most important human resource of a country, and the study of population, its growth, distribution and composition is a regular topic in the UPSC Prelims and Mains. The questions are usually on the Census figures, such as the state with the highest sex ratio, the most populous state or the literacy rate, and also on the issues of urbanisation, migration and the demographic dividend. This note gives the key facts of the Census of India 2011, explains the main concepts in simple language and shows how to use the data in answers. The Census 2011 remains the latest completed census used in most exam questions, so always read the data with this year in mind.

What Is the Census?

The Census is the official counting of the population of the country. India has had a regular census every ten years since 1881, and the Census of 2011 was the 15th census since then and the 7th after Independence. It is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The census collects data on the number of people, age, sex, literacy, religion, occupation, houses and amenities. The next census, which was delayed from its due year of 2021, has been announced by the government, so you should check the latest schedule and the changes in its design. The year 1921 is called the "year of the great divide" because the population fell between 1911 and 1921 because of famines and the influenza epidemic, and since then the population has grown continuously.

Key Statistics of Census 2011

India has about 2.4 per cent of the world's land area but about 17.5 per cent of the world's population. The decadal growth rate fell in 2001-11 compared with the earlier decade, and this was the first time that the growth in the absolute number of people added was lower than in the previous decade.

State-wise Records You Must Remember

Among the Union Territories, Puducherry has a high sex ratio, while Daman and Diu has the lowest, and Lakshadweep has the smallest population. Four States - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal - together contain a very large share of India's population. These data are asked many times, so make a small chart and revise it weekly.

Important Demographic Concepts

• Birth rate and death rate: The number of births and deaths per 1,000 persons per year. The natural growth rate is the difference of the two.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The average number of children a woman is expected to have in her life. A TFR of 2.1 is called the replacement level.
• Sex ratio: The number of females per 1,000 males. The child sex ratio is a better sign of discrimination against the girl child.
• Dependency ratio: The ratio of the dependent population (below 15 and above 59 or 64) to the working-age population.
• Demographic dividend: The economic gain when the share of the working-age population is large compared with the dependent population.

Demographic Transition

The theory of demographic transition has four or five stages. In the first stage, both birth and death rates are high and the growth is slow. In the second stage, the death rate falls because of better health and food, but the birth rate stays high, so the population grows fast. In the third stage, the birth rate also starts to fall and the growth slows down. In the fourth stage, both rates are low and the population is stable. India is in the later part of the third stage, as the fertility rate has fallen close to the replacement level in many States, especially in the south, while the northern States are still growing faster. This regional difference is an important Mains point.

Urbanisation in India

The Census defines an urban area in two ways. A statutory town has a municipality, corporation or cantonment board. A census town has a minimum population of 5,000, at least 75 per cent of the male working population in non-agricultural work and a density of at least 400 persons per square km. In 2011, India had 53 cities with a population of more than one million. The biggest urban agglomerations were Greater Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The urban share of the population rose from about 11 per cent in 1901 to about 31 per cent in 2011.

The reasons of urbanisation are the push of poverty and lack of jobs in villages, and the pull of jobs, education and better services in towns. The problems include slums, traffic, pollution, water and waste management and the pressure on housing. The government has launched the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT in 2015, along with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) to improve urban life.

Migration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another. Most of the migration in India is internal and short-distance, and the largest reason given by women is marriage, while men mostly move for work. The main streams are rural to rural (mostly for marriage), rural to urban and urban to urban. States like Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat attract the largest number of migrants, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar send the largest number. The effects of migration are remittances and economic growth in the destination, but also pressure on the cities and the loss of manpower in the source areas.

Population Policy

India was the first country to start a family planning programme in 1952. The National Population Policy 2000 aimed to bring the TFR to the replacement level and to give free and compulsory education up to the age of 14. The National Health Mission and the focus on female education and women's empowerment are also seen as the best tools of controlling the population, instead of coercion. For more data, read our notes on women empowerment and Indian agriculture.

Age Structure and the Demographic Dividend

India has one of the youngest populations in the world. In Census 2011, about 29 per cent were in the age group 0-14, about 63 per cent were of working age (15-59), and about 8 per cent were elderly (60 and above). Because the share of workers is rising, India is passing through a window of opportunity called the demographic dividend. To use it, the country needs quality education, skills, health and, above all, jobs. If the youth are not given productive work, the dividend can turn into a demographic burden, creating unemployment and social tension. At the same time, the share of the elderly is growing, particularly in States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which raises the need for pensions, health care and elder-friendly policies.

Mains Angle: Challenges of a Large Population

When a question asks about population-related challenges, structure the answer as economic, social and environmental issues. Economic: pressure on jobs, food and infrastructure. Social: poverty, inequality, a skewed sex ratio and regional imbalances in development. Environmental: land degradation, water stress, pollution and loss of forests. Then give solutions: investment in girls' education and health, skill development, creation of labour-intensive jobs, planned urban growth, and balanced regional development. Use the Census numbers carefully and name the year, such as "as per Census 2011", to make the answer reliable.

Quick Revision

• Census every 10 years since 1881; 2011 was the 15th census; 1921 is the great divide.
• Population 121 crore; sex ratio 943; literacy 74.04 per cent; density 382.
• Kerala leads in sex ratio and literacy; Bihar leads in density; Uttar Pradesh is the biggest State.
• Urban population about 31 per cent; Goa is the most urbanised State.
• TFR of 2.1 is the replacement level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often is the Census conducted in India?

The Census is conducted every ten years, and the first synchronous census was held in 1881.

What was the population of India in Census 2011?

The population was about 121 crore, or 1.21 billion.

What was the sex ratio in Census 2011?

The sex ratio was 943 females per 1,000 males.

Which State has the highest sex ratio?

Kerala has the highest sex ratio at 1,084 in Census 2011.

Which State has the highest literacy rate?

Kerala has the highest literacy rate, about 94 per cent.

Which State is the most populous?

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State.

Which State has the highest population density?

Bihar has the highest density among the States, and Delhi has the highest among Union Territories.

What is the replacement level fertility?

A total fertility rate of 2.1 is called the replacement level.

What is the demographic dividend?

It is the economic benefit when a country has a large share of working-age people compared with dependents.

What is a census town?

A census town has at least 5,000 people, at least 75 per cent of male workers in non-farm jobs and a density of 400 per square km.

Why is 1921 called the year of the great divide?

The population fell in 1911-21 and has grown continuously since 1921.

Which Act governs the Census in India?

The Census Act, 1948 governs the conduct of the Census.