Census 2011 was India's 15th census and 7th post-independence. It recorded India's population as 1,210,726,932, an increase of 181.96 million from 2001. Key findings included that 17 states grew over 20% last decade, the child population was nearly stable, and literacy rates increased nationwide with the largest gains in northeastern states. It also provided detailed data on population characteristics like gender ratios, scheduled castes and tribes, and levels of employment.