The 2011 Census is the fifteenth census in the country and the seventh after independence.The first census in India was held in 1872.The 2011 census exercise was started on April 1 with President Pratibha Patil being the first person to be enumerated.Census officials visited Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath in New Delhi and collected details.Two and a half million census officials will be employed to ensure details of every Indian citizen appear in the 2011 Census, who will also seek information for the creation of the National Population Register (NPR).The mammoth exercise will be undertaken in two phases.The exercise faces many challenges, which include coverage of a vast geographical area, widespread illiteracy and diverse cultures and languages.
The census, undertaken at the start of every decade, will also be the databank for building the National Population Register (NPR), based on biometric information and photos of all residents above 15 years of age.
