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An independent guide to India's people

India population data.
Understand the numbers.

Find and compare India’s Census counts, government projections and survey data.

Official projection1 March 2026
142.59crore
1,42,59,08,000 people · projected population of India
How to read this

A modelled figure from the government's 2011–2036 projection series, published in July 2020.

The census baseline
Final Census 2011 count
121.09 crore
Figures below checked · 11 Oct 2026

Every figure below has a different meaning and reference period. Follow its source before comparing.

Census count
121.09crore

India’s census baseline

2011

Final / revised historical count

Census 2011 source
Household survey
2.0children per woman

Total fertility rate

NFHS-6 · 2023–24 round

Provisional · excludes Manipur

NFHS-6 source
Administrative estimate
134.77crore

Estimated living Aadhaar holders

30 June 2026

UIDAI estimate · adjusted for deaths

Aadhaar coverage source
Sample registration
24per 1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate

2024

Deaths before age one · SRS estimate

SRS 2024 source

Detailed Census 2011 tables

India in Numbers

How India lives,
connects and works.

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Learning, health, time.
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Explore the census

Every state has a story.

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Ten most populous states in Census 2011
StatePopulation · 2011Share of India
01 Uttar Pradesh19,98,12,34116.50%
02 Maharashtra11,23,74,3339.28%
03 Bihar10,40,99,4528.60%
04 West Bengal9,12,76,1157.54%
05 Andhra Pradesh8,45,80,7776.99%
06 Madhya Pradesh7,26,26,8096.00%
07 Tamil Nadu7,21,47,0305.96%
08 Rajasthan6,85,48,4375.66%
09 Karnataka6,10,95,2975.05%
10 Gujarat6,04,39,6924.99%
Source: Census 2011 final population, MHA Annex I. Andhra Pradesh uses its undivided 2011 boundaries. Figures are historical census counts.
Put numbers in perspective

Two places.
A clearer comparison.

See how states compare on population, density and sex ratio, using the same census year and consistent source notes.

Compare two places
Population comparison · Census 2011
Maharashtra112.4m
Gujarat60.4m
Maharashtra & Gujarat, side by side
Beyond the headline number

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The original PopulationIndia

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Explore the original articles, maps and tables, manually researched and published in 2012–2013. Preserved as a historical archive, with context for today's reader.

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