When was the first All India Census attempted?

When was the first All India Census attempted?

1871
1872
1881
1861
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The correct answer is B) 1872.
– The first attempt at a comprehensive, albeit non-synchronous, census covering various parts of British India was conducted in 1872.
– This census was not conducted simultaneously across the entire country but consolidated data collected at different times in different regions.
– The first *synchronous* all-India census, meaning it was conducted simultaneously across the country, was carried out in 1881.
– Since 1881, India has conducted a decennial census every 10 years without interruption until the 2021 census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.