The census data on religious communities released on August 25, 2015, reveals that the proportion of Hindus in total population is now 79.8%, Muslims 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7% and Jains 0.4%.The decadal growth rate (2001 to 2011) of population of the different religious communities was Hindus: 16.8%; Muslim: 24.6%; Christian: 15.5%; Sikh: 8.4%; Buddhist: 6.1% and Jain: 5.4%.
The interactive visual below shows state and district-wise distribution of population by religious groups in absolute and percentage terms. The categories are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, Other Religions and Persuasions (including Unclassified Sects), and Religion not stated. The drop-down menu (top right) provides state and district-wise data options. Click on the map to find out more...
Source: censusindia.gov.in
| 2011 | 2001 | [close] | Religion | Population | % Population | Population | % Population | Decadal % growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu | 96,62,57,353 | 79.80 | 82,75,78,868 | 80.45 | 16.76 |
| Muslim | 17,22,45,158 | 14.23 | 1,38,18,824 | 13.43 | 24.65 |
| Christian | 2,78,19,588 | 2.30 | 2,40,80,016 | 2.34 | 15.53 |
| Sikh | 2,08,33,116 | 1.72 | 19,21,573 | 1.86 | 8.42 |
| Buddhist | 84,42,972 | 0.70 | 79,55,207 | 0.77 | 6.13 |
| Jain | 44,51,753 | 0.37 | 42,25,053 | 0.41 | 5.37 |
| Others | 79,37,734 | 0.66 | 66,39,626 | 0.64 | 19.55 |
| Not Stated | 28,67,303 | 0.24 | 7,27,588 | 0.07 | 294.08 |
| Total (India) | 121,08,54,977 | 102,86,10,328 | 17.72 |