SociologyIndian Society: Challenges of Cultural Diversity

Which of the following religious groups formed the smallest share of…

Which of the following religious groups formed the smallest share of India's population according to the 2011 Census?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Jains

Option (1) Buddhists — Incorrect. Buddhists number about 8 million, or 0.7% of the population. That share is almost double the Jain share.

Option (2) Sikhs — Incorrect. Sikhs are 1.7% of the population, about 21 million people. They are the largest of these four groups and form a majority in Punjab.

Option (3) Other Religions and Persuasions — Incorrect. Other Religions and Persuasions together make up under 8 million people, or 0.7%. Their share equals the Buddhist share and is above the Jain share.

Option (4) Jains — Correct. Jains number about 4.5 million, only 0.4% of India's population in 2011. This is the smallest share of all four groups.

NCERT (2026-27): “Minority Rights and Nation Building …
As is well known, Hindus constitute an overwhelming majority in India: they number about 966 millions and account for 80% of the total population according to the 2011 Census. …”

“… The Sikhs constitute 1.7% of the population (21 million) and although they are found scattered across the country, they are concentrated in Punjab where they are in a majority (58%). There are also several other small religious groups – Buddhists (8 million, 0.7%), Jains (4.5 million, 0.4%), and ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ (under 8 million, 0.7%). …”