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11th Census

Census 1981

India's population reached 683 million. A decade of transformation as the Green Revolution reshaped rural India.

Key Statistics

Total Population
68,33,29,097
683 Million
Literacy Rate
43.57%
+7.2% from 1971
Sex Ratio
934
Females per 1000 Males
Decadal Growth
24.66%
1971-1981

Top 10 States by Population

Rank State Population Literacy Rate
1 Uttar Pradesh 110,862,013 32.65%
2 Bihar 69,914,734 32.32%
3 Maharashtra 62,784,171 55.83%
4 West Bengal 54,580,647 48.65%
5 Andhra Pradesh 53,549,673 35.66%
6 Madhya Pradesh 52,178,844 34.22%
7 Tamil Nadu 48,408,077 54.39%
8 Karnataka 37,135,714 46.21%
9 Rajasthan 34,261,862 30.11%
10 Gujarat 34,085,799 52.21%

Historical Context

11th Census of India, first to use sampling techniques extensively
Emergency period (1975-77) had ended, democracy restored
Green Revolution bringing agricultural transformation
India's first satellite Aryabhata launched in 1975

Population Growth Trend

1971
548 Million
1981
683 Million
1991
846 Million
2001
1.03 Billion

Data Availability

Detailed district-level data for Census 1981 is being digitized from historical records. Currently showing state-level summary data. View complete data →

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