List the main demographic features of India during British period. When was the first official census operation undertaken.

Or

Give a brief account of India's demographic profile during the British rule?

The first official census operation was undertaken in 1881 under the British rule in India.

Before 1921, India was in the first stage of demographic transition. The second stage of transition began after 1921.

Main features :

1. Neither the total population of India nor the rate of population growth was very high.

2. During the period 1911-21, the population actually declined due to outbreak of the influenza epidemic. The compound annual growth rate was 0.9% during this period.

3. The population has been constantly increasing since 1921. The main reason for this increase in growth rate was a sharp decline in death rate.

4. The birth rate was 49.2 percent in 1901-1910 but it declined to 39.9% in 1941-1950.

5. The growth rate was 6.6 percent in 1901-1910. It increased to 14.0% in 1941-1950.

Poverty, malnutrition and poor health facilities were responsible for slow population growth during the British rule.