The decennial census of India has been conducted 15 times, as of 2011. While it has been undertaken every 10 years, beginning in 1872 under Viceroy Lord Mayo, the first complete census was taken in 1872. Post 1949, it has been conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
All the censuses since 1951 were conducted under the Census Act, 1948, which predates the Constitution of India. The last census was held in 2011, whilst the next was to be held in 2021 before it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next 16th census will commence from 1st October 2026 for the Himalayan states and 1st March 2027 for rest of the Indian states.
British Rule
Republic of India
1951
1961
Population increased by 21.55%
1971
Population increased by 24.83%
1981
Population increased by 25%
1991
Population increased by 22.38%
2001
2011
2027
See also Demographics of India List of cities in India by population List of Indian states and union territories by literacy rate List of million-plus urban agglomerations in India List of states and union territories of India by population List of states and union territories of India by sex ratio List of states in India by past population Timeline of Indian history
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