In which year was the first complete census of India held?

Correct option is D

​The correct answer is (d) 1881

Explanation:

• The first complete and synchronous census of India was conducted in 1881 during British rule under Lord Ripon.
• The census was carried out under the supervision of W.C. Plowden, the Census Commissioner of India.

Information Booster:

History of Census in India:

1. First Attempt (1872):
• Conducted under Lord Mayo (Governor-General of India).
• It was not synchronous (i.e., data collection happened at different times).
2. First Complete Census (1881):
• Conducted under Lord Ripon.
• Marked the beginning of a regular decadal census in India.
3. Post-Independence Census:
• First Census of Independent India: 1951.
• Since then, the census has been conducted every 10 years.

Recent Census Updates:

• 2011 Census was the last completed census in India.

Legal & Constitutional Basis

• Constitutional Provision:
• Entry 69, Union List, Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution empowers the Union Government to conduct the census.
• Legal Framework:
• Governed by the Census Act, of 1948, which provides the legal basis for data collection and confidentiality.

Conducting Authority:

• Managed by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.