RAS question
According to Census 2011, what is the total population of India?
Correct answer: (A) About 121 crore (1.21 billion).
According to Census 2011, India's total population was about 121 crore people.
Explanation
Census 2011 puts India's population at 1,210,854,977, which is approximately 121.08 crore. The Census of India provisional population totals give the same scale as about 121.02 crore persons, so India's 2011 population corresponds to about 121 crore. The figure is not just a round number: it belongs to the 2001-2011 census decade, for which the recorded decadal growth rate was 17.64%. On 2011 data, India was the world's second most populous country after China. RAS preparation requires a clear distinction between the official 2011 census level, older 90-100 crore estimates and later estimates around 140 crore.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) About 90 crore belongs to the older 1990s population range, not to the 2011 Census count of about 121 crore.
- (C) About 100 crore is too low because India had crossed that level in 2000 and had reached about 121 crore by Census 2011.
- (D) About 140 crore reflects a much later estimate around 2023, not the official Census 2011 population level.
Concept
Indian Geography and Rajasthan administrative exams use basic Census 2011 population facts. RAS frequently uses population size, growth and demographic ranking as anchor facts for comparing states, planning and social indicators.