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The first official (regular) census in India was conducted in:
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Answer: Option B — 1881
Detailed Solution
The first complete and synchronous census of India, conducted at the same time across the whole country, was held on 17 February 1881, during the time of Viceroy Lord Ripon. It was organised by W.C. Plowden, the Census Commissioner of India. Since then, the census has been held regularly every ten years without a break until 2011.
Before this, a census was conducted between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of the country at different times. This is called the census of 1872, held during the time of Lord Mayo. It was the first attempt at a census in India, but it was not synchronous and did not cover all areas. So 1872 is regarded as the first (non-synchronous) census, and 1881 as the first regular, complete census.
Important facts about the Census of India:
It is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is carried out under the Census Act, 1948. Information collected in the census is kept confidential.
"Population census" is a Union subject (entry 69 of the Union List in the Seventh Schedule).
The 1951 Census was the first after Independence.
1921 is called the "Year of the Great Divide", because after it India's population increased continuously. Before 1921, population growth was irregular because of famines and epidemics, such as the 1918 influenza pandemic.
The 2011 Census was the 15th national census and the 7th after Independence. India's population was 121.09 crore. Its motto was "Our Census, Our Future".
The census that was due in 2021 was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The next census is being held in two phases: house listing in 2026 and population enumeration with the reference date of 1 March 2027 (1 October 2026 for snow-bound areas). It will be India's first digital census and the first since 1931 to enumerate castes.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1872 was the first, non-synchronous census, under Lord Mayo.
- ✗1901 was a regular census, but not the first.
- ✗1951 was the first census after Independence.
Quick tip
Remember: First census = 1872 (Lord Mayo, non-synchronous); first regular census = 1881 (Lord Ripon, W.C. Plowden); 1921 = Year of the Great Divide; next census reference date 1 March 2027.
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Population & Census — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Population & Census, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's population and the Census: population size and growth, density, sex ratio, literacy rate, urbanisation, and the most and least populous states, based on the Census of 2011, along with the basics of world population. Questions usually ask which state has the highest or lowest population, density, sex ratio or literacy, based on Census 2011. For example, Kerala had the highest literacy rate and sex ratio, and Bihar had the highest population density. The Census is conducted every ten years, so check whether newer data has been released before your exam. Practise the population and census questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.