The first regular and synchronous decennial population census of India was conducted in which year?

• A 1871
• B 1881 ✓
• C 1891
• D 1901

Explanation

Although earlier enumerations were attempted, the first complete, synchronous decennial census covering the whole territory of British India was carried out in 1881 under the direction of W.C. Plowden, the first Census Commissioner. Since then the census has been conducted every ten years without interruption. 1871 saw only partial, non-synchronous counts in some regions, so it cannot be called the first regular census.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.