In India, censuses began to be conducted by the British Indian government between 1867-72, and regular ten yearly (or decennial) censuses have been conducted since 1881.
Independent India continued the practice, and seven decennial censuses have been conducted since 1951, the most recent being in 2011.
The Indian census is the largest such exercise in the world (since China, which has a slightly larger population, does not conduct regular censuses).
Recently, the Government of India has introduced the program, ‘Beti-Bachao, Beti Padhao’.
It can prove to be an important policy to increase the child sex ratio in the country.
Demographic data are important for the planning and implementation of state policies, especially those for economic development and general public welfare.