| Census Questions (1872-2011) |
|---|
| From census to census, the techniques have been gradually changing with a view to improve the accuracy and quality of the data without losing comparability from one census to the other. The following Chart shows how the census questionnaire, the primary tool of census operations had been developed from census to census taking into account the changing needs of the country. |
| Census Year | Questions |
| 1872: House Register | Number of houses, whether terraced, tiled or thatchedName of MalesAgeReligionCaste or ClassRace or Nationality or Country of BirthOccupationYouths upto age 20 attending school, college or under private tuitionAble to read and writeName or Designation of FemalesAgeReligionCaste or ClassRace or Nationality or Country of BirthYouths upto age 20 attending school, college or under private tuitionAble to read and writeRemarks showing number of males and females, blind, deaf, dumb, insane, idiots
or lepers |
| 1881: Census Schedule | Serial No. Of each inmateNameCondition i.e. whether married, unmarried, widow or widowerSexAge last birthdayReligionReligionCaste, if Hindu, sect, if of other religionMother tonguePlace of birthOccupation of men; also of boys and females who may do workEducation
1. Under instruction
2. Not under instruction but able to read and write
3. Not under instruction and not able to read and writeInfirmities
1. Unsound mind
2. Deaf-mutes from birth
3. Blind
4. Lepers |
| 1891: Census Schedule | Serial no. and nameMain religionSect of religionCaste or race-Main casteSub-division of caste or raceMale or femaleAgeMarried, single, or widowedParent tongueBirth district or countryOccupation or means of subsistenceLearning, Knowing, IlliterateForeign language known (if any)If any, be blind, insane, deaf-mute or a leper, enter the infirmity below |
| 1901: Census Schedule | House numberSerial numberNameReligionMale or femaleMarried, Unmarried or widowedAgeCaste of Hindus & Jains, Tribe, or race of othersOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers: PrincipalOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers: SubsidiaryMeans of subsistence of dependants on actual workersBirth placeLanguage ordinarily usedLiterate or IlliterateKnow or does not know EnglishInsane, deaf-mute from birth, totally blind or leper |
| 1911: Census Schedule | Census number painted on the houseSerial number of persons enumeratedNameReligion (and sect of Christians)Male or FemaleMarried, Unmarried or WidowedAge completed last birthdayCaste of Hindu and Jains, tribe or race of those of other religionsOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers : Principal OccupationOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers : Subsidiary Occupation,
if anyIf dependant, principal occupation or means of subsistence of actual worker on
whom dependentDistrict, Province or Country in which bornLanguage ordinarily spoken in the householdLiterate or IlliterateWhether literate in EnglishIf the person be insane or totally blind or suffering from corrosive leprosy or both
deaf and dumb from birth, enter as such here |
| 1921: Census Schedule | House No.Serial number of personNameReligionMale or FemaleMarried, Unmarried or WidowedAgeCaste, Tribe or RaceOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers : PrincipalOccupation or means of subsistence of actual workers : SubsidiaryFor dependants, the occupation of the worker by whom supportedBirth districtLanguage ordinarily usedLiterate or IlliterateWhether literate in EnglishInsane, totally blind, leper or deaf-mute |
| 1931: Census Schedule | Serial No. of house or tenementSerial No. of personNameReligion and SectMale or Female (enter M or F)Married, Unmarried, or Widowed (enter Divorced persons as widowed)Age (in years to nearest birthday)Race, Tribe or CasteEarner or dependantPrincipal occupation (this will be blank for dependant)Subsidiary occupation (occupation of dependants may be given)Industry in which employed (for organized employees only)Birth district (or country)Mother tongueOther language in common useWhether literate (i.e., able to write and read a letter)Whether able to read and write EnglishInsane, totally blind, deaf-mute or leper |
| 1941: Individual Slip | NameSexRace, Tribe or CasteReligionMarried, unmarried, widowed or divorcedAgeNumber of children born to a married woman and number survivingHer age at birth of first childAre you wholly or partly dependent on any one else?If so, means of livelihood of person on whom dependentDo you employ
(a) paid assistants
(b) members of household?
If so, how many?Are you in employment now?(Only to those who reply in the negative to question 12)
Are you in search of employment?
(To those who reply in the affirmative the further question will be put)
How long have you been in search of it?Means of livelihood in order of importance(Only to be asked in regard to means of livelihood of a person shown
as partly dependent against question 9 or any subsidiary means of
livelihood returned by other persons against question 14).
Does this means of livelihood exist throughout the year?
If not, for what part of the year?If you are employed by some one else, what is his business?Were you born in this district? If not, in what districtMother tongueOther Indian languages in common useCan you both read and write? If so, what script do you write?
Can you only read?How far have you read? Give any examination passed.Are you literate in English? |
| 1951: Individual Slip | Name and relationship to the head of the householdNationality, Religion and Special Group
Part (a) Nationality
Part (b) Religion
Part (c) Special GroupsCivil conditionAgeBirth placeDisplaced personsMother tongueBilingualismEconomic Status
Part one: Dependency
Part two: EmploymentPrincipal means of livelihoodSecondary means of livelihoodLiteracy and Education…….(Optional to State Government)*SexNote: (a) Name of States: Assam, Manipur & Tripura; Bihar; Bombay,
Saurashtra & Kutch; Madhya Pradesh; Vindhya Pradesh; Mysore;
Orissa; Punjab, PEPSU, Bilaspur, Delhi & Himachal Pradesh;
Rajasthan & Ajmer; Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal & Sikkim;
Hyderabad; Travancore-Cochin (b) NATURE OF QUESTION NO. 13 OF 1951 CENSUS (OPTIONAL)Indigenous Persons:
(a) Are you an indigenous person of Assam?
(b) If so, state in the nearest bigha,
(i) the land you own;
(ii) the land you have rented in cash or in kind from othersFertilityUnemploymentNumber of children born to a married woman and age at birth of the first childUnemploymentUnemploymentArea of land owned and cultivated by the householdAre you unemployed since 9th Feb. 1951? If so, give reasonInfirmitiesUnemploymentDo you cultivate land for which you pay rent? If so,
(a) how much do you cultivate yourself and or through hired
labourers; and
(b) how much do you cultivate through bargadars, bhagdar or
adhiyars?Are you unemployed and in search of employment? If so, since
when?Duration of marriage and size of family
(a) Completed years of married life
(b) Age of mother at first maternity
(c) Number of children born
(d) Number now alive |
| 1961: Individual Slip | (a) Name
(b) Relationship to HeadAge last birthdayMarital Status(a) Birth place
(b) Born R/U
(c) Duration of residence, if born elsewhere(a) Nationality
(b) Religion
(c) S.C./S.T.Literacy & Education(a) Mother tongue
(b) Any other language(s)Working as CultivatorWorking as Agricultural LabourerWorking at Household Industry
(a) Nature of work
(b) Nature of Household Industry
(c) If EmployeeDoing work other than 8, 9 or 10
(a) Nature of work
(b) Nature of Industry, Profession, Trade and Service
(c) Class of worker
(d) Name of EstablishmentActivity, if not workingSex |
| 1971: Individual Slip | NameRelationship to headSexAgeMarital StatusFor currently married women only
(a) Age at marriage
(b) Any child born in the last one yearBIRTH PLACE
(a) Place of birth
(b) Rural/Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryLAST RESIDENCE
(a) Place of last residence
(b) Rural/Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryDuration of Residence at the village or town of enumerationReligionS.C. or S.T.Literacy (L or O)Educational levelMother tongueOther languagesMAIN ACTIVITY
(a) Broad category
(i) Worker (C, AL, HHI, OW)
(ii) Non-worker (H, S, T, R, D, B, I, O)
(b) Place of work (Name of Village/Town)
(c) Name of Establishment
(d) Nature of Industry, Trade, Profession or Service
(e) Description of Work
(f) Class of workerSECONDARY WORK
(a) Broad Category (C, AL, HHI, OW)
(b) Place of work (Name of Village/Town)
(c) Name of Establishment
(d) Nature of Industry, Trade, Profession or Service
(e) Description of Work
(f) Class of Worker |
| 1981: Individual Slip (Universal) | NameRelationship to headSexAgeMarital StatusMother TongueTwo Other LanguageReligionWhether SC (1) or ST (2)Name of Caste/tribeLiterate/IlliterateEducational attainmentAttending school/college (a) Worked any time at all last year? Yes/No
(b) If Yes in 14A, did you work for major part of last year? Yes/No (a) Main Activity last Year ? Yes in 14B(C/AL/HHI/OW), No in 14B(H/ST/D/R/B/I/O)
if HHI/OW in 15A
(i) Name of establishment
(ii) Description of work
(iii) Nature of industry, trade or service
(iv) Class of worker
(b) 14B Yes – Any other work any time last year ? Yes (C/AL/HHI/OW)/No 14B No – Work done any time last year ? (C/AL/HHI/OW) if Yes in 15B
(i) Name of Establishment
(ii) Description of work
(iii)Nature of industry, trade or service
(iv) Class of workerIf No in 14A or 14B, seeking/available for work ? Yes/No |
| 1981: Individual Slip(Sample) | Birth of Place
(a) Place of Birth
(b) Rural /Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryLast Residence
(a) Place of last residence
(b) Rural /Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryReason for migration from place of last residence (Code)Duration of residence at village or town of enumerationFor all ever-married women only
(a) Age at marriage
(b) Number of Children surviving. Male/Female/Total
(c) Number of Children ever born alive. Male/Female/TotalFor Currently married women only
Any child born alive during last one year |
| 1991: Individual Slip | NameRelationship to headSexAgeMarital StatusMother TongueTwo Other LanguageReligionWhether SC (1) or ST (2)Name of Scheduled Caste/tribeLiterate/IlliterateEducational attainmentAttending school/college, Yes/No (a) Did you work any time at last year? Yes/No (H/ST/D/R/B/I/O)
(Including unpaid work on farm or in family enterprise)
(b) If Yes in 14A, did you work for major part of last year? Yes/No (a) Main Activity last Year ? Yes in 14B(C/AL/HHI/OW), No in 14B(H/ST/D/R/B/I/O)
if HHI/OW in 15A
(i) Name of establishment
(ii) Description of work
(iii) Nature of industry, trade or service
(iv) Class of worker
(b) 14B Yes – Any other work any time last year ? Yes (C/AL/HHI/OW)/No 14B No – Work done any time last year ? (C/AL/HHI/OW) if Yes in 15B
(i) Name of Establishment
(ii) Description of work
(iii)Nature of industry, trade or service
(iv) Class of worker (a) If No in 14A , seeking/available for work ? Yes/No
(b) If Yes in 16A,Have you ever worked before ? Yes/No (a) Whether you are an Ex-serviceman ? Yes/No
(b) If Yes, in 17A, Pensioner / Non-Pensioner ? Yes/NoBirth of Place
(a) Place of Birth
(b) Rural /Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryLast Residence
(a) Place of last residence
(b) Rural /Urban
(c) District
(d) State/CountryReason for migration from place of last residenceDuration of residence at village or town of enumerationFor all ever-married women only
(a) Age at marriage
(b) Number of Children surviving. Male/Female/Total
(c) Number of Children ever born alive. Male/Female/TotalFor Currently married women only
Any child born alive during last one year |
| 2001: Household Schedule | Name of personRelationship to headSexAgeCurrent Marital StatusAge at marriageReligionIf Scheduled caste, write name of the Scheduled caste from the list suppliedIf Scheduled Tribe, write name of the Scheduled tribe from the list suppliedMother TongueOther Language knownLiteracy Status: Literate -1/ Illiterate -2Highest educational level attainedif Attending educational institutionif the person is physically/ mentally disabledDid the person work any time last year. Yes/NoEconomic activity of the main or marginal worker
(i) Category of the economic activity of the Main or Marginal Worker : C-1/Al-2/HHI-3/OW-4
(ii) Occupation of the person
(iii) Nature of the industry, trade or services
(iv) Class of workers: Employer -1/Employee -2/Single Worker -3/ Family Worker – 4If code ‘2’ (Marginal Worker) or code ‘3’ (Non worker) in column 18 or 19, record code of non ecomomic activity from : Student -1/Household duties -2/Dependent-3/Pensioner – 4/Begger – 5/ Other – 6If Marginal Worker or Non Worker, is the person seeking/available for work ? Yes-1/No-2Travel to place of work
(i) Distance from residence to place of work in kilometers
(ii) Mode of travel to place of workBirth Place, Is the person born in this village/town ? Yes/No
(i) State/Country
(ii) DistrictPlace of last residence, Has the person come to this village/town from elsewhere?
if ‘No’ put dash(-) against Q.22(i) to Q.22(v) or If ‘Yes’ give the following perticular
(i) State/Country
(ii) District
(iii) At the time of migration, was the place of last residence: Rural -1/Urban-2
(iv) Reason for Migration
(v) Duration of stay in this village or town since migration.Fertility
(i) Number of children surviving at present
Daughters(s)
Son(s)
(ii) Total number of children ever born alive
Daughters(s)
Son(s)
(iii) Number of children born alive during last one year
Daughters(s)
Son(s) |
| 2011: Household Schedule | Name of personRelationship to headSexDate of Birth and AgeCurrent Marital StatusAge at marriageReligionScheduled caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe(ST)DisabilityMother TongueOther Language knownLiteracy Status: Literate -1/ Illiterate -2Status of attendanceHighest educational level attainedWorked any time during last yearCategory of the economic activityOccupationNature of the industry, trade or servicesClass of workersNon-economic activitySeeking or available for workTravel to place of work
(i) one way distance
(ii) mode of travelFill for person born outside this village/town, Birth Place, If within India, write the present name of village/town, district and State. if outside india, write the present name of the countryMigration characteristics
Fill for person who has come to this village/town from elsewhere
Place of last residence
(a) if within India
(b) at the time of migrationReason for migrationDuration of stay in this village/town since migrationFertility Particulars – Children surviving
Daughters(s)
Son(s) Children ever born alive
Daughters(s)
Son(s) Number of children born alive during last one year
Daughters(s)
Son(s) |
