A census is an official, systematic count of a population or group within a defined boundary, paired with the collection of related demographic, social, and economic data. In India, census operations are governed by the Census Act of 1948.
National Overview: Census 2011 Facts
The 2011 Census was the 15th Census of India overall and the 7th Census after Independence, conducted under the leadership of Census Commissioner C. Chandramouli.
| Indicator | India (Census 2011) |
| Total Population | 121.09 Crore |
| Decadal Growth Rate (2001-11) | 17.64% |
| Population Density | 382 persons / km² |
| Overall Sex Ratio | 943 females / 1,000 males |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) | 919 females / 1,000 males |
| Overall Literacy Rate | 74.04% |
| Male Literacy Rate | 82.14% |
| Female Literacy Rate | 65.46% |
| Rural vs Urban Distribution | 68.84% (Rural) |
West Bengal Demographic Profile
West Bengal is a crucial state geographically and demographically, holding key positions across national rankings.
| Indicator | West Bengal (Census 2011) | National Context |
| Population | 9.13 Crore (9,12,76,115) | 4th most populous state |
| Population Density | 1,028 persons / km² | 2nd highest density (after Bihar) |
| Decadal Growth Rate | 13.93% | Below national average (17.64%) |
| Sex Ratio | 950 females / 1,000 males | Above national average (943) |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6) | 956 females / 1,000 males | Above national average (919) |
| Literacy Rate | 76.26% | Above national average (74.04%) |
| Male Literacy | 81.69% | 82.14% |
| Female Literacy | 70.54% | 65.46% |
| Rural / Urban Split | 68.13% Rural / 31.87% Urban | 68.84% (Rural) |
West Bengal District-Level Extremes
In standard exams based on the original 19-district setup of 2011, Purba Medinipur holds the highest literacy rate, and Purulia holds the lowest population density.
| Benchmark Metric | Highest / Top District | Lowest / Bottom District |
| Population | North 24 Parganas (1.0 crore) | Dakshin Dinajpur (16.76 lakh) |
| Population Density | Kolkata (24,306 / km²) | Purulia (468 / km²) |
| Literacy Rate | Purba Medinipur (87.02%) | Uttar Dinajpur (59.07%) |
| Sex Ratio | Darjeeling (970) | Kolkata (899) |
National Extremes & Top States
- State-Wise Extremes
- Most Populous State: Uttar Pradesh (~19.98 crore)
- Least Populous State: Sikkim (~6.11 lakh)
- Highest Population Density: Bihar (1,102 / km²)
- Lowest Population Density: Arunachal Pradesh (17 / km²)
- Highest Literacy Rate: Kerala (93.91%)
- Lowest Literacy Rate: Bihar (61.80%)
- Highest Sex Ratio: Kerala (1,084)
- Lowest Sex Ratio: Haryana (879)
- Highest Decadal Growth: Meghalaya (27.82%)
- Lowest Decadal Growth: Nagaland (-0.58%)
2. Top 5 Most Populous States in India
- Uttar Pradesh — 19.98 Crore
- Maharashtra — 11.24 Crore
- Bihar — 10.41 Crore
- West Bengal — 9.13 Crore
- Madhya Pradesh — 7.26 Crore
WBCS Previous Year Questions with Answers— West Bengal Geography & Demography
WBCS 2023
Q1. Which district of West Bengal had the highest sex ratio according to Census 2011?
Answer: Birbhum
Q2. Bongaon and Kolkata were connected by which National Highway?
Answer: NH 35
Q3. Which district of West Bengal is famous for its terracotta temples?
Answer: Bankura
Q4. Which is India’s oldest mountain railway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Answer: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
WBCS 2022
Q5. Which was the newest district of West Bengal at the time of the question?
Answer: Jhargram
Q6. Which district had the highest literacy rate according to Census 2011?
Answer: Purba Medinipur
Q7. Which district had the highest number of Census Towns in 2011?
Answer: North 24 Parganas
Q8. Which district had the lowest population density according to Census 2011?
Answer: Purulia
WBCS 2021
Q9. When did India’s first Metro Rail service start in Kolkata?
Answer: 24 October 1984
WBCS 2019
Q10. Which is the Central University located in West Bengal?
Answer: Visva-Bharati
Q11. What was the sex ratio of West Bengal?
Answer: 950
Q12. Through which corridor could Bangladesh access the Cooch Behar enclaves?
Answer: Teen Bigha Corridor
WBCS 2017
Q13. Which of the following is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of West Bengal?
Answer: Toto
Q14. Which district had the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe population in Census 2011?
Answer: Alipurduar
Q15. How many Class-I towns did West Bengal have?
Answer: 58
Q16. Which type of migration accounted for the largest number of migrants by place of birth in 2001?
Answer: Intra-district migration
Q17. Which district had the lowest population density in 2011?
Answer: Purulia
Q18. How many foreign countries share an international boundary with West Bengal?
Answer: 3 – Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal
Q19. Which West Bengal city was selected for development under the Smart Cities Mission?
Answer: Bidhannagar
Q20. Which district did not have fluoride contamination in groundwater?
Answer: Nadia
WBCS 2016
Q21. What was the level of urbanisation in West Bengal according to Census 2011?
Answer: 31.16%
Q22. What was the population density of West Bengal according to Census 2011?
Answer: 1,028 persons/km²
Q23. Which district had the lowest literacy rate according to Census 2011?
Answer: Uttar Dinajpur
WBCS 2015
Q24. On which date was West Bengal formed?
Answer: 15 August 1947
Q25. Which is the largest district of West Bengal by area?
Answer: South 24 Parganas
WBCS 2014
Q26. Which district had the lowest literacy rate according to Census 2011?
Answer: Uttar Dinajpur
Important Questions
Q1: What was the slogan of Census 2011?
Answer: The official slogan of the 2011 Census of India was “Our Census, Our Future”.
Q2: Which Indian state recorded a negative population growth rate during 2001–2011?
Answer: Nagaland was the only state to record a negative decadal growth rate of -0.58%.
Q3: Which state has the highest population density in India according to Census 2011?
Answer: Bihar has the highest population density among states with 1,102 persons per km². West Bengal ranks 2nd with 1,028 persons per km².
Q4: Which district in West Bengal has the highest literacy rate as per Census 2011?
Answer: Purba Medinipur (East Medinipur) has the highest literacy rate in West Bengal at 87.02%, followed closely by Kolkata (86.31%).
Q5: What is the rank of West Bengal in India in terms of total population?
Answer: West Bengal is the 4th most populous state in India, following Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar.
Q6: Which union territory has the highest population density and sex ratio?
Answer:
- Highest Density (UT): NCT of Delhi (11,320 persons / km²).
- Highest Sex Ratio (UT): Puducherry (1,037 females per 1,000 males).