Question

First census of India was done in
A. 1871 – 1881
B. 1911 – 1921
C. 1981 – 1991
D. 1951 - 1961

Answer 1

Hint:The first census in all India was conducted by the British Raj authorities. S. C. Srivastava states, however, that it simply does not cover the entire country and is asynchronous, as it was carried out between 1867-1872, after the 1857 uprising interrupted the first decision of 1856 to introduce decadal enumerations from 1861.

Complete answer:
A population census is the method by which demographic, social, cultural and economic data relating to each and every person in that country are compiled, collected, analysed and disseminated at a specific time over 10 years. The most significant administrative exercise in peace time is undisputedly the population census in a country such as India with a wide range of physical features. The abundance of information gathered through the household census, household services, socioeconomic and cultural features of the population make the Indian Census the richest and most special source of information for planners, researchers, administrators and other data users. It is difficult and exciting to prepare and execute the Indian census.

From 1865 to 1947, the Indian census before independence was held annually. The censuses were largely dedicated to administration and faced a variety of problems, from the lack of house numbers in hamlets to cultural objections for different reasons, to hazards posed by wild animals to census staff. Instead of uncovering a simple population structure, the censuses were built more for social engineering and advancing the British agenda for governance. In the British Empire the ‘1871 Indian Census’ was India's first census. The first complete population census was performed in 1881 and produced the largest and most complete demographic record for any comparable population in India.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. i.e., 1871 - 1881

Note:The abundance of information gathered through the household census, household services, socioeconomic and cultural features of the population make the Indian Census the richest and most special source of information for planners, researchers, administrators and other data users.