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Religion in India 2024
India has the distinction of being the land from where important religions namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism have originated. At the same time, the country is home to several indigenous faiths and tribal religions which have survived the influence of major religions for centuries and are holding the ground firmly. The regional con-existence of diverse religious groups in the country makes it unique and the epithet of unity in diversity is brought out clearly in the Indian Census.
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, little over 966 million (79.80%) have returned themselves as followers of Hinduism, 172 million (14.23%) as Muslims or followers of Islam, 27.8 million (2.3%) as Christians, 20.8 million (1.72%) as Sikh, 8.5 million (0.70%) as Buddhists and 4.5 million (0.37%) are Jain. In addition, over 8 million have reported professing other religions and faiths including tribal religions, different from the six main religions.
| # | Religion | Percentage 2011 | Estimated 2024 | State Majority |
| 1 | Hindu | 79.80% | 111 Crore | 29 |
| 2 | Muslim | 14.23% | 22 Crore | 2 |
| 3 | Christian | 2.30% | 3.22 Crore | 4 |
| 4 | Sikh | 1.72% | 2.38 Crore | 1 |
| 5 | Buddhist | 0.70% | 98 Lakh | – |
| 6 | Jain | 0.37% | 52 Lakh | – |
| 7 | Other Religion | 0.66% | 92 Lakh | – |
| 8 | Not Stated | 0.24% | 34 Lakh | – |
Source: Census 2011
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States wise Religion Percentage
| # | State | Hindu | Muslim | Christian | Sikhs | Buddhist | Others | Majority |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 90.87% | 7.33% | 1.38% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.39% | Hindu |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | 29.04% | 1.95% | 30.26% | 0.24% | 11.77% | 26.74% | Christian |
| 3 | Assam | 61.47% | 34.22% | 3.74% | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.32% | Hindu |
| 4 | Bihar | 82.69% | 16.87% | 0.12% | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.28% | Hindu |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | 93.25% | 2.02% | 1.92% | 0.27% | 0.28% | 2.26% | Hindu |
| 6 | Goa | 66.08% | 8.33% | 25.10% | 0.10% | 0.08% | 0.31% | Hindu |
| 7 | Gujarat | 88.57% | 9.67% | 0.52% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.09% | Hindu |
| 8 | Haryana | 87.46% | 7.03% | 0.20% | 4.91% | 0.03% | 0.37% | Hindu |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | 95.17% | 2.18% | 0.18% | 1.16% | 1.15% | 0.16% | Hindu |
| 10 | Jharkhand | 67.83% | 14.53% | 4.30% | 0.22% | 0.03% | 13.09% | Hindu |
| 11 | Karnataka | 84.00% | 12.92% | 1.87% | 0.05% | 0.16% | 1.00% | Hindu |
| 12 | Kerala | 54.73% | 26.56% | 18.38% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.31% | Hindu |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | 90.89% | 6.57% | 0.29% | 0.21% | 0.03% | 2.01% | Hindu |
| 14 | Maharashtra | 79.83% | 11.54% | 0.96% | 0.20% | 5.81% | 1.66% | Hindu |
| 15 | Manipur | 41.39% | 8.40% | 41.29% | 0.05% | 0.25% | 8.62% | Hindu |
| 16 | Meghalaya | 11.53% | 4.40% | 74.59% | 0.10% | 0.33% | 9.05% | Christian |
| 17 | Mizoram | 2.75% | 1.35% | 87.16% | 0.03% | 8.51% | 0.20% | Christian |
| 18 | Nagaland | 8.75% | 2.47% | 87.93% | 0.10% | 0.34% | 0.41% | Christian |
| 19 | Orissa | 93.63% | 2.17% | 2.77% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 1.35% | Hindu |
| 20 | Punjab | 38.49% | 1.93% | 1.26% | 57.69% | 0.01% | 0.62% | Sikh |
| 21 | Rajasthan | 88.49% | 9.07% | 0.14% | 1.27% | 0.02% | 1.01% | Hindu |
| 22 | Sikkim | 57.76% | 1.62% | 9.91% | 0.31% | 27.39% | 3.01% | Hindu |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | 87.58% | 5.86% | 6.12% | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.40% | Hindu |
| 24 | Telangana | 85.10% | 12.69% | 1.27% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.78% | Hindu |
| 25 | Tripura | 83.40% | 8.60% | 4.35% | 0.03% | 3.41% | 0.21% | Hindu |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | 79.73% | 19.26% | 0.18% | 0.32% | 0.10% | 0.41% | Hindu |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | 82.97% | 13.95% | 0.37% | 2.34% | 0.15% | 0.22% | Hindu |
| 28 | West Bengal | 70.54% | 27.01% | 0.72% | 0.07% | 0.31% | 1.35% | Hindu |
Union Territories
| # | UTs | Hindu | Muslim | Christian | Sikhs | Buddhist | Others | Majority |
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 69.45% | 8.52% | 21.28% | 0.34% | 0.09% | 0.32% | Hindu |
| 2 | Chandigarh | 80.78% | 4.87% | 0.11% | 13.11% | 1.13% | Hindu | |
| 3 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 93.93% | 3.76% | 1.49% | 0.06% | 0.18% | 0.58% | Hindu |
| 4 | Daman & Diu | 90.50% | 7.92% | 1.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% | 0.26% | Hindu |
| 5 | Delhi | 81.68% | 12.86% | 0.87% | 3.40% | 0.11% | 1.08% | Hindu |
| 6 | Jammu and Kashmir | 28.44% | 68.31% | 0.28% | 1.87% | 0.90% | 0.20% | Muslim |
| 7 | Lakshadweep | 2.77% | 96.58% | 0.49% | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.13% | Muslim |
| 8 | Puducherry | 87.30% | 6.05% | 6.29% | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.30% | Hindu |
Source: Census 2011
Urban India Population Religion wise
| # | Religion | Percentage | Estimated |
| 1 | All Religion | 100.00% | 37.71 Crores |
| 2 | Hindu | 74.82% | 28.22 Crores |
| 3 | Muslim | 18.23% | 6.87 Crores |
| 4 | Christian | 2.96% | 1.12 Crores |
| 5 | Sikh | 1.57% | 59.02 Lakhs |
| 6 | Buddhist | 0.96% | 36.28 Lakhs |
| 7 | Jain | 0.94% | 35.47 Lakhs |
| 8 | Other Religion | 0.20% | 7.39 Lakhs |
| 9 | Not Stated | 0.32% | 12.24 Lakhs |
Source: Census 2011
Rural India Population Religion wise
| # | Religion | Percentage | Estimated |
| 1 | All Religion | 100.00% | 83.38 Crores |
| 2 | Hindu | 82.05% | 68.41 Crores |
| 3 | Muslim | 12.41% | 10.35 Crores |
| 4 | Christian | 2.00% | 1.67 Crores |
| 5 | Sikh | 1.79% | 1.49 Crores |
| 6 | Buddhist | 0.58% | 48.15 Lakhs |
| 7 | Jain | 0.11% | 9.04 Lakhs |
| 8 | Other Religion | 0.86% | 72 Lakhs |
| 9 | Not Stated | 0.20% | 16.44 Lakhs |
Source: Census 2011
Hindu Population in India 2024
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, little over 966 million (79.80%) have returned themselves as followers of Hinduism. In 2024 approximately 110 crore or 1.1 billion people follow Hinduism in India. Hinduism is professed by the majority of the population in India. India is home to about 94% of the world’s Hindus. Along with Nepal, it is one of only two Hindu-majority countries.
The Hindus are most numerous in 29 States/UTs except in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab.
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Muslim population in India 2024
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, 172 million (14.23%) as Muslims or followers of Islam. By 2024 approximately 22 crore or 220 million people are Muslims In India. India is also home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, surpassed only by Indonesia.
The Muslims professing Islam are in majority in Lakshadweep and Jammu & Kashmir. The percentage of Muslims is sizable in Assam (34.22%), West Bengal (27.01%), Kerala (26.56%), Uttar Pradesh (19.26%), and Bihar (16.87%).
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Christian Population in India 2024
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, little over 27.8 million (2.3%) are Christians. In 2024 approximately 3.22 Crore people are Christians in India. Christianity has emerged as the major religion in three Northeastern states, namely, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
Among other states/Uts, Manipur (41.29%), Goa (25.10%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (21.28%), Kerala (18.38%), and Arunachal Pradesh (30.26%) have a considerable percentage of the Christian population to the total population of the State/UT.
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Sikh Population in India 2024
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, little over 20.8 million (1.72%) are Sikh. Punjab (57%), Chandigarh (13.11%), Haryana (4.91%), Delhi (3.40%), Uttarakhand (2.34%) and Jammu & Kashmir (1.87%) are important States/Uts having Sikh populations. In 2024 approximately 2.4 Crore people follow Sikhism in India.
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Buddhists Population in India 2024
At the census of 2011, 8.5 million (0.70%) are Buddhists in India. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and North-East states have large Buddhist populations. In 2024 approximately 10 million or 1 Crore people are followers of Buddhism in India.
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Jain Population in India 2024
At the census 2011, out of the 1.21 billion population, 4.5 million or 45 Lakh have returned themselves as followers of the Jain religion. Jains constitute 0.37% of the Total Population of India in 2011.
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have reported major Jain populations. In 2024 approximately 52 Lakh people follow Jainism in India.
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Source: Census 2011
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