Population & Human Settlements – NDA Geography Notes

The Population of India NDA chapter helps you understand key demographic features like population size, density, and distribution patterns. Population studies are an integral part of NDA Geography, as they reveal the social and economic structure of India. In this article, we’ll cover all major aspects of India’s population in a simple and exam-ready format.

Census of India

Fact	Detail
First Census (Partial)	1872
First Synchronized Census	1881
Latest Census	2011 (15th Census overall, 7th after independence)
Next Census	Pending (2021 postponed due to COVID)
Census Head 2011	Dr. C. Chandramouli

Population Growth

Decade	Growth
1921	Year of Demographic Divide (Population growth negative)
1971	Highest decadal growth
2001–2011	Growth rate declined from 21.59% to 17.64% (Sharpest decline since independence)

Population Size (2011)

• India = 17.5% of World Population
• UP = 16.49% of India’s Population
• UP’s population > Brazil’s population

Growth Rates by State (2011 Census)

Highest Growth	%
Dadra & Nagar Haveli (UT)	55.5%
Daman & Diu (UT)	53.45%
Meghalaya	27.82%
Arunachal Pradesh	25.92%
Bihar	25.07%

Lowest Growth	%
Nagaland	0.47%
Kerala	4.86%
Goa	8.17%
Andaman & Nicobar (UT)	6.68%
Lakshadweep (UT)	6.23%

Largest & Smallest States by Population & Area (2011)

Population-wise	Area-wise
Largest	UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, WB, Andhra Pradesh
Smallest	Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh

Sex Ratio

| World Average (2011) | 984 females/1000 males |
| India (2011) | 940 females/1000 males |

Best Districts (Sex Ratio)
Mahe (Puducherry)	1176
Almora (Uttarakhand)	1142

Literacy Rate (2011 Census)

Category	2001	2011
Total	65.83%	74.04%
Male	75.85%	82.14%
Female	54.16%	65.46%

Most Literate States (2011)

State	Literacy %
Kerala	93.91%
Mizoram	91.58%
Tripura	87.75%
Goa	87.40%
Himachal Pradesh	83.78%

Least Literate States (2011)

State	Literacy %
Bihar	63.82%
Arunachal Pradesh	66.95%
Rajasthan	67.06%

Most Literate Union Territories

UT	Literacy %
Lakshadweep	92.28%
Daman & Diu	87.07%
Puducherry	86.55%

Least Literate UTs

UT	Literacy %
Dadra & Nagar Haveli	77.65%
Andaman & Nicobar	86.27%
NCT Delhi	86.34%

Most & Least Literate Districts

Most Literate	%
Serchhip (Mizoram)	98.76%
Aizawl (Mizoram)	98.50%

Least Literate	%
Alirajpur (MP)	37.22%
Bijapur (Chhattisgarh)	41.58%

Population Density (2011)

Most Densely Populated States	Persons per sq km
Bihar	1102
West Bengal	1029
Kerala	859

Special Terms

• Demographic Divide – 1921
• Population Explosion in India – Post 1951
• Mahe (Puducherry) – Best sex ratio
• Serchhip (Mizoram) – Most literate district

Summary

• India’s population is 2nd largest globally
• UP = Most populous state, Kerala = Best literacy, sex ratio

Conclusion:

The Population of India NDA topic is both factual and analytical, making it essential for NDA aspirants. These notes simplify the study of demographic trends, population distribution, and key indicators. If you found this helpful, share these Population of India NDA notes with your friends preparing for the NDA exam.

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