Question map
Consider the following statements with reference to Census in India: 1. The first All India Census was attempted in 1872. 2. From 1881, decennial censuses became a regular feature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The history of the Indian Census began with the first population census conducted in 1872 under the administration of Lord Mayo [2]. Although this 1872 exercise was the first All India attempt, it was non-synchronous and did not cover the entire territory. The first complete and synchronous census, which covered the whole of British India (excluding Kashmir), was conducted on February 17, 1881, under the supervision of W.C. Plowden [3]. This 1881 census marked the beginning of the decennial tradition, where the enumeration has been held regularly every tenth year [2]. These censuses provide comprehensive demographic, social, and economic data, including details on literacy, religion, and occupation [1]. Therefore, both statements regarding the 1872 attempt and the 1881 start of regular decennial censuses are historically accurate.
Sources
- [1] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: Population > Census > p. 48
- [2] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition > POPULATION > p. 1
- [3] https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/40444/download/44078/DROP_IN_ARTICLE-05.pdf