Q1. Which ofthe following best defines a census?
(a) A sample survey of households conducted every five years (b) A complete enumeration of the population of a country at a specific point in time
(c) An estimation of population based on birth and death registration
(d) A voluntary registration of individuals for voting purposes
Answer: (b)
Explanation: A census is a total count (complete enumeration) of every person residing in a country at a defined reference moment, not a sample or estimate.
Q2. The main feature that distinguishes a census from a sample survey is: (a) Use of questionnaires
(b) Periodicity of ten years
(c) Universality – every individual is counted
(d) Collection of socio‑economic data
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Universality (coverage of the entire population) is the defining characteristic of a census; sample surveys cover only a fraction.
Q3. Which principle ensures that the census counts each person only once and in the correct place?
(a) Simultaneity
(b) De facto enumeration
(c) Non‑duplication
(d) Confidentiality
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The principle of non‑duplication (or unduplication) guarantees that each individual is enumerated exactly once and assigned to their usual residence.
Q4. In India, the census is conducted:
(a) Every five years
(b) Every ten years (decennial)
(c) Every year
(d) Only when the government orders it
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian Census follows a decennial pattern, conducted every ten years since 1881.
Q5. The first synchronous census in India was held in:
(a) 1872
(b) 1881
(c) 1891
(d) 1901
Answer: (b) Explanation: Although a partial census was attempted in 1872, the first complete, simultaneous (synchronous) census covering all of British India was conducted in 1881.
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a function of census data?
(a) Delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies
(b) Allocation of central taxes to states via Finance Commission
(c) Determination of interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India
(d) Formulation of sector‑wise development plans
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Census data are used for delimitation, fiscal transfers, and planning, but not for setting monetary policy interest rates.
Q7. The reference date for the 2011 Census of India was: (a) 1st January 2011
(b) 9th March 2011
(c) 1st October 2010
(d) 31st March 2011
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The 2011 Census reference moment was 00:00 hours of 9th March 2011 (the sunrise of that day).
Q8. Which of the following statements about the ‘de jure’ method of enumeration is correct?
(a) People are counted where they are found at the time of the census
(b) People are counted at their usual place of residence, irrespective of where they are found
(c) Only citizens are counted; foreigners are excluded
(d) It is used only for urban areas
Answer: (b)
Explanation: De jure enumeration counts individuals at their normal or usual residence, regardless of where they happen to be on census night.
Q9. The ‘de facto’ method of enumeration is most suitable for:
(a) Counting nomadic populations
(b) Estimating voter turnout
(c) Calculating per‑capita income
(d) Determining literacy rates
Answer: (a)
Explanation: De facto counts people where they are found at the census moment, which helps capture mobile or nomadic groups who may lack a fixed usual residence.
Q10. Which schedule of the Indian Census collects information on economic activity? (a) Household Schedule
(b) Individual Schedule
(c) Economic Activity Schedule (d) Housing Schedule
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Individual Schedule (also called the Personal Schedule) includes questions on a person’s economic activity, occupation, industry, and employment status.
Q11. The term ‘population density’ refers to:
(a) Number of females per 1000 males (b) Number of persons living per square kilometre
(c) Ratio of urban to rural population
(d) Proportion of population aged 0‑6 years
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Population density is the number of people living per unit area, usually expressed as persons per square kilometre.
Q12. Which of the following is a primary objective of conducting a census in a developing country like India? (a) To estimate the country’s GDP growth rate
(b) To provide a baseline for socio‑economic planning and policy formulation
(c) To regulate international trade tariffs
(d) To determine the exchange rate of the rupee Answer: (b)
Explanation: Census data supply essential demographic and socio‑economic benchmarks for planning health, education, employment, and infrastructure policies.
Q13. The Census of India provides data for the delimitation of constituencies under which constitutional article?
(a) Article 324
(b) Article 81
(c) Article 170
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Explanation: Delimitation of Lok Sabha (Article 81) and State Legislative Assembly (Article 170) constituencies relies on the latest census figures.
Q14. Which agency is responsible for conducting the Census in India?
(a) NITI Aayog
(b) Ministry of Home Affairs, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India
(c) Election Commission of India
(d) Planning Commission (now defunct)
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs conducts the decennial census.
Q15. The 2021 Census of India was postponed primarily due to:
(a) Lack of funding
(b) Legal challenges in the Supreme Court
(c) The COVID‑19 pandemic
(d) Resistance from state governments
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Field operations for the 2021 Census were delayed because of the nationwide lockdown and health safety concerns arising from the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Q16. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a modern census?
(a) Universality
(b) Simultaneity
(c) Voluntary participation
(d) Periodicity
Answer: (c) Explanation: Participation in a census is compulsory under law; it is not voluntary.
Q17. The ‘sex ratio’ in the Indian Census is defined as:
(a) Number of males per 100 females
(b) Number of females per 1000 males
(c) Ratio of working to non‑working population
(d) Proportion of population in the 0‑6 age group Answer: (b)
Explanation: Sex ratio = (Number of females / Number of males) × 1000, expressed as females per 1000 males.
Q18. Which of the following data items is collected in the Housing Schedule of the Indian Census?
(a) Occupation of the head of household
(b) Type of dwelling unit (pucca, semi‑pucca, katcha)
(c) Educational attainment of individuals
(d) Marital status of individuals
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Housing Schedule gathers information on the structure, condition, and amenities of residential houses.
Q19. The concept of ‘de facto’ enumeration would count a migrant worker who is temporarily staying in a city for work as a resident of:
(a) His/her native village
(b) The city where he/she is found on census night
(c) Both locations (double counting)
(d) Neither; such persons are excluded
Answer: (b)
Explanation: De facto counts individuals where they are physically present at the reference moment, irrespective of usual residence.
Q20. Which of the following is a direct use of census data in finance and administration?
(a) Determining the salary of government employees
(b) Allocating share of central taxes to states via the Finance Commission (c) Setting the repo rate by RBI
(d) Fixing the price of petroleum products
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Finance Commission uses population (among other criteria) as a key factor to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and states.
Q21. The literacy rate as per the 2011 Census of India is:
(a) 64.8%
(b) 74.04%
(c) 82.1%
(d) 68.9%
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The 2011 Census recorded a literacy rate of 74.04% for persons aged 7 years and above.
Q22. Which schedule of the census captures data on migration?
(a) Household Schedule
(b) Individual Schedule
(c) Economic Activity Schedule
(d) Housing Schedule
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Questions on place of birth, last usual residence, and duration of stay are included in the Individual Schedule to capture migration patterns.
Q23. The term ‘dependency ratio’ refers to:
(a) Ratio of urban to rural population
(b) Ratio of population aged 0‑14 and 60+ to the working‑age population (15‑59)
(c) Ratio of literate to illiterate persons
(d) Ratio of males to females
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Dependency ratio = (Population aged 0‑14 + 60+) / (Population aged 15‑59) × 100, indicating the burden on productive ages.
Q24. Which of the following statements about the confidentiality of census information is correct?
(a) Individual responses are published with names and addresses (b) Data are released only in aggregate form; individual records are kept confidential for 100 years
(c) Only the government can access individual data; researchers cannot
(d) There is no provision for confidentiality; all data are open access
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Under the Census Act, 1948, individual-level data are not disclosed; only tabulated, aggregated statistics are published, and individual records are sealed for a long period (usually 100 years).
Q25. The primary advantage of conducting a census over relying solely on vital registration systems is that a census:
(a) Provides real‑time updates on births and deaths
(b) Captures socio‑economic characteristics not recorded in birth/death registers (c) Is less expensive to conduct
(d) Requires no field staff
Answer: (b)
Explanation: While vital registration gives continuous data on births and deaths, a census additionally collects information on education, employment, housing, migration, etc., which are absent from routine vital records.
