Top Growth Rate in India

The Indian Census 2011, the seventh conducted since independence, provides critical insights into various aspects of India's demographic growth, literacy, and gender distribution. The census covered all 28 states and 7 Union Territories, offering a comprehensive analysis of population trends and social dynamics across cities and districts.

Population Growth

As of 2011, India’s total population stood at 1.21 billion, reflecting significant growth compared to previous censuses. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the most populous state with a population of 19.96 crores, showcasing the rapid population growth in the northern states. In contrast, Sikkim, with a population of 6.07 lakh, is the least populated state, highlighting the slow growth in the northeastern regions. These differences in population growth among states indicate the varying demographic pressures faced by different parts of the country.

Literacy Growth

Literacy, a key indicator of social development, showed positive growth across India. Kerala led the way with an impressive 93.91% literacy rate, underscoring its consistent efforts in promoting education. On the other hand, Bihar recorded the lowest literacy rate at 63.82%, pointing to slower educational growth in certain regions. The growth in literacy rates, especially in states like Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh, highlights the success of focused educational programs, though some states continue to lag.

Gender Ratio Growth

The Gender ratio—the number of females per 1,000 males—saw gradual improvement over the decades. Kerala again led the country with a sex ratio of 1,084 females per 1,000 males, while Haryana had the lowest at 877 females per 1,000 males, reflecting deep-rooted gender imbalances. Efforts to improve gender equality have contributed to the positive growth in sex ratios, but states like Haryana still face significant challenges in this regard.

District-Level Growth Insights

District-level data from the 2011 Census further reveal diverse growth patterns. Thane district in Maharashtra recorded the highest population with 1.11 crores, while Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh had the lowest at 7,948. This contrast shows uneven population growth across the country, with urbanized districts like Thane experiencing higher growth due to migration and industrialization, while remote areas like Dibang Valley saw limited population increases.

Literacy growth was most notable in the Serchhip district of Mizoram, which achieved a literacy rate of 98.76%, the highest in the country. Conversely, Koraput district in Odisha reported the lowest literacy rate of 49.87%, indicating the uneven progress of educational programs. Similarly, Mahe district in Puducherry led the sex ratio chart with 1,176 females per 1,000 males, while Jhajjar in Haryana had the lowest with 774 females per 1,000 males, again pointing to regional disparities in gender ratios.

Urban Growth Insights

In terms of urban growth, Mumbai emerged as the most populous city with 12.5 million people, showcasing the rapid growth of India's metropolitan centers. Nagda, with a population of 100,036, was the least populous city. Educational growth in cities was led by Aizawl in Mizoram, which had a literacy rate of 98.80%, while Rampur in Uttar Pradesh reported the lowest at 60.74%. Gender ratio growth in cities was most pronounced in Kozhikode (Kerala), with a sex ratio of 1,093 females per 1,000 males, while Vapi in Gujarat recorded the lowest at 734 females per 1,000 males, reflecting persistent gender imbalances in certain urban areas.

Growth Rate Table

Rank	State	Population	Increase (%)	Area (Km²)	Density	Gender Ratio	Literacy (%)
-	India	1,210,854,977	17.64	3,287,240	382	940	74.04
1	Uttar Pradesh	199,812,341	20.23	240,928	829	912	67.68
2	Maharashtra	112,374,333	15.99	307,713	365	929	82.34
3	Bihar	104,099,452	25.42	94,163	1,106	918	61.80
4	West Bengal	91,276,115	13.84	88,752	1,028	950	76.26
5	Andhra Pradesh	84,580,777	10.98	275,045	308	993	67.02
6	Madhya Pradesh	72,626,809	20.35	308,252	236	931	69.32
7	Tamil Nadu	72,147,030	15.61	130,060	555	996	80.09
8	Rajasthan	68,548,437	21.31	342,239	200	928	66.11
9	Karnataka	61,095,297	15.60	191,791	319	973	75.36
10	Gujarat	60,439,692	19.28	196,244	308	919	78.03
11	Orissa	41,974,218	14.05	155,707	270	979	72.87
12	Kerala	33,406,061	4.91	38,852	860	1084	94.00
13	Jharkhand	32,988,134	22.42	79,716	414	948	66.41
14	Assam	31,205,576	17.07	78,438	398	958	72.19
15	Punjab	27,743,338	13.89	50,362	551	895	75.84
16	Chhattisgarh	25,545,198	22.61	135,192	189	991	70.28
17	Haryana	25,351,462	19.90	44,212	573	879	75.55
18	Delhi	16,787,941	21.21	1,483	11,320	868	86.21
19	Jammu and Kashmir	12,541,302	23.64	222,236	56	889	67.16
20	Uttarakhand	10,086,292	18.81	53,483	189	963	78.82
21	Himachal Pradesh	6,864,602	12.94	55,673	123	972	82.80
22	Tripura	3,673,917	14.84	10,486	350	960	87.22
23	Meghalaya	2,966,889	27.95	22,429	132	989	74.43
24	Manipur	2,855,794	24.50	22,327	128	985	76.94
25	Nagaland	1,978,502	-0.58	16,579	119	931	79.55
26	Goa	1,458,545	8.23	3,702	394	973	88.70
27	Arunachal Pradesh	1,383,727	26.03	83,743	17	938	65.38
28	Puducherry	1,247,953	28.08	490	2,547	1,037	85.85
29	Mizoram	1,097,206	23.48	21,081	52	976	91.33
30	Chandigarh	1,055,450	17.19	114	9,258	818	86.05
31	Sikkim	610,577	12.89	7,096	86	890	81.42
32	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	380,581	6.86	8,249	46	876	86.63
33	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	343,709	55.88	491	700	774	76.24
34	Daman and Diu	243,247	53.76	111	2,191	618	87.10
35	Lakshadweep	64,473	6.30	30	2,149	946	91.85

Conclusion

The Indian Census 2011 data highlights significant growth trends across population, literacy, and gender distribution. States like Kerala and Mizoram have made impressive strides in literacy and gender equality, while regions like Bihar and Haryana continue to struggle with slower growth in these areas. The district and city-level data further underscore the disparities in growth across different regions, with urban centres like Mumbai and Aizawl experiencing rapid population and literacy growth, while rural and remote areas face more challenges. The 2011 Census thus provides a crucial snapshot of India’s socio-economic growth, offering a foundation for targeted policies aimed at addressing regional disparities and promoting balanced development across the country.