Census of India & West Bengal

Introduction

• Constitutional Provision: The Census of India is a Central/Union subject governed by Article 246 of the Indian Constitution (listed at Serial No. 69 of the Seventh Schedule). It is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
• Nodal Agency: It is conducted decenially (every 10 years) by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Historical Milestones:

• First Non-Synchronous Census: Conducted in 1872 during the viceroyalty of Lord Mayo.
• First Complete & Synchronous Census: Conducted in 1881 under W.C. Plowden (Census Commissioner of India). Since then, it has been uninterruptedly conducted every 10 years.
• The Year of the Great Divide: The decade 1911–1921 recorded a negative population growth rate (-0.31%) due to the influenza pandemic and famines. Hence, 1921 is famously known in Indian demographic history as the “Year of the Great Divide”.
• Total Censuses: The 2011 Census was the 15th National Census of India (and the 7th since Independence).

Census 2011 (India)

• Total Population: India’s total population stood at 1.21 billion (121.08 crore), which was approximately 17.5% of the global population.
• Population Growth Rate (2001–2011): 17.7%
• Density of Population: 382 persons per sq. km.
• Sex Ratio: 943 females per 1000 males
• Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): 919 females per 1000 males.
• Literacy Rate: 74.04% (Male: 82.14%, Female: 65.46%).

National Extremes (States & UTs – India)

• Most Populated State: Uttar Pradesh (approx. 19.98 crore)

Least Populated State: Sikkim (approx. 6.1 lakh)

• Highest Population Density: Bihar (1,106 persons/sq. km.)
• Lowest Population Density: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq. km.)
• Highest Sex Ratio: Kerala (1,084 females per 1000 males)
• Lowest Sex Ratio: Haryana (879 females per 1000 males)
• Highest Literacy Rate: Kerala (93.91%)
• Lowest Literacy Rate: Bihar (63.82%)

Census 2011 (West Bengal Specific)

• Total Population of West Bengal: 9.13 crore, accounting for about 7.54% of India’s total population.
• State Rank by Population: 4th most populated state in India (after Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar).
• Decadal Population Growth (2001–2011): 13.93% (showing a significant decline from the previous decade’s 17.84%).
• Population Density: 1,029 persons per sq. km. (making it the 2nd densest major state in India after Bihar).
• Sex Ratio: 950 females per 1000 males (higher than the national average).
• Literacy Rate of West Bengal: 76.26% (Male: 81.69%, Female: 70.54%).

District-Wise Rankings in West Bengal

• Most Populated District: North 24 Parganas (followed by South 24 Parganas and Bardhaman).
• Least Populated District: South Dinajpur.
• Highest Population Density: Kolkata (24,252 persons/sq. km.), followed by Howrah.
• Lowest Population Density: Purulia (468 persons/sq. km.).
• Highest Sex Ratio: Darjeeling (971 females per 1000 males), followed by West Midnapore.
• Lowest Sex Ratio: Kolkata (899 females per 1000 males).
• Highest Literacy Rate: Purba Medinipur (87.66%), closely followed by Kolkata (87.14%).
• Lowest Literacy Rate: North Dinajpur (60.13%).

PYQs

1. According to the 2011 Census, what is the population density of West Bengal per square kilometre?   [Clerkship 2019]

(A) 903

(B) 1,029

(C) 1,106

(D) 850

Answer: (B) 1,029

2. Which year is known in the demographic history of India as the “Year of the Great Divide”? [Clerkship 2015]

(A) 1911

(B) 1921

(C) 1931

(D) 1951

Answer: (B) 1921

3. According to the 2011 Census, which district in West Bengal has the highest literacy rate? [Clerkship 2019]

(A) Kolkata

(B) Howrah

(C) Purba Medinipur

(D) North 24 Parganas

Answer: (C) Purba Medinipur

4. Which state recorded the highest literacy rate in India according to the 2011 Census? [Clerkship 2015]

(A) Maharashtra

(B) Kerala

(C) Mizoram

(D) Goa

Answer: (B) Kerala

5. Under which Ministry does the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner function? [Clerkship 2019]

(A) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

(B) Ministry of Home Affairs

(C) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

(D) Ministry of Finance

Answer: (B) Ministry of Home Affairs