Indias population rose to 1.21 billion people.

During the last 10 years, the population of india increased by 181 million, according to the 15th Census data released on 31st March 2011. significantly the growth is slower for the first time in nine decades. India now accounts for worlds 17.5 per cent population. It comprises 623.7 million males and 586.5 million females, said a provisional 2011 Census report. China is the most populous nation acounting for 19.4 per cent of the global population. Indias headcount is almost equal to the combined population of the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together. The population has increased by more than 181 million during the decade 2001-2011. The growth rate in 2011 is 17.64 per cent in comparison to 21.15 per cent in 2001. The 2001-2011 period is the first decade with exception of 1911-1921 which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade, Among the states and Union territories, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state with 199 million people and Lakshadweep the least populated at 64,429. The combined population of UP and Maharashtra is bigger than that of the US. The highest population density is in Delhis north-east district (37,346 per sq km) while the lowest is in Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh (just one per sq km). The Census indicated a continuing preference for male children over female children. The latest child sex ratio in is 914 female against 1,000 male the lowest since Independence. According to the data, literates constitute 74 per cent of the total population aged seven and above and illiterates form 26 per cent. The literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21 per cent. The male population has grown by 17.19 percent to reach 623.7 million (62 crore) while the female population has risen by 18.12 percent to reach 586.5 million (58 crore). The absolute addition to Indias population during the last decade is slightly lower than the population of Brazil, the fifth most populous country in the world. Uttar Pradesh has the largest proportion of the countrys population at 16 percent, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar (nine percent each), West Bengal (eight percent) and Andhra Pradesh (seven percent).