New Delhi: India ranks as the world’s one of two largest populated countries. The 2011 official census recorded a total of 1,21,08,54,977 people in the country. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 census could not be carried out. To gain insights into the estimated population, we turned to active Aadhaar card data which showed that as of June 30th, a total of 1,30,20,37,422 people held this national identity card, indicating the population of the nation is over 130 crores. As per an estimate, there could be up to 10 crore more people in addition to this – especially those who are not adults – who don’t have Aadhar cards yet.

This data, after adjusting for estimated deaths, offers information about the population distribution, revealing which states are most populous and which are relatively less inhabited.

As of June 30th, the ten most populous states in India are:

Here are the ten most populated states and union territories in descending order based on the estimated number of living Aadhaar holders as of June 30th, 2023:

1. Uttar Pradesh (UP) – With an estimated population of around 21,84,47,362, Uttar Pradesh remains the most populous state in India. (1st in 2011 census also)

2. Maharashtra – Home to approximately 11,87,76,600 inhabitants, Maharashtra holds the second-highest population.(2nd in 2011 census also)

3. Bihar – Hosting about 10,96,64,801 people, Bihar secures the third spot in terms of population.(3rd in 2011 census also)

4. West Bengal – With an estimated population of around 9,64,92,565, West Bengal ranks fourth in terms of population.(4th in 2011 census also)

5. Madhya Pradesh – Encompassing approximately 7,80,68,045 residents, Madhya Pradesh is the fifth most populous state. (was 6th in 2011 census, 5th was Andhra)

6. Rajasthan – With a population of around 7,54,36,152, Rajasthan stands as the sixth most populated state.(was 8th in 2011 census, 6th was Madhya Pradesh)

7. Tamil Nadu – Home to approximately 7,42,24,381 people, Tamil Nadu ranks seventh in terms of population. (7th in 2011 census also)

8. Gujarat – Boasting a population of about 6,54,41,370 inhabitants, Gujarat secures the eighth spot in population. (was 10th in 2011 census, 8th was Rajasthan)

9. Karnataka – With an estimated population of around 6,48,49,050, it is the ninth most populous state.(was 9th in 2011 census also)

10. Andhra Pradesh – Hosting approximately 5,18,74,942 residents, Andhra Pradesh rounds up the list as the tenth most populous state. (was 5th in 2011 census as Telangana was part of Andhra then)

On the other end of the spectrum, the five least populated states are:

Lakshadweep – this union territory has a population of just 74,087;

Ladakh has a population of 2,40,321 people;

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to approximately 3,88,388 residents;

Sikkim – known for its stunning landscapes, has a population of around 5,76,988;

the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together are home to around 6,01,398 inhabitants.

This analysis is based on the data provided by the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in Lok Sabha in response to a question posed by a Member of Parliament during the recently concluded Monsoon session. DeshGujarat

Here is a table of the living Aadhaar Holders :

S. No.	State / Union territory	Estimated number of living Aadhaar holders, as on 30.6.2023*
1	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	3,88,388
2	Andhra Pradesh	5,18,74,942
3	Arunachal Pradesh	12,49,327
4	Assam	3,07,68,862
5	Bihar	10,96,64,801
6	Chandigarh	11,63,469
7	Chhattisgarh	2,82,95,179
8	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	6,01,398
9	Delhi	2,27,59,589
10	Goa	16,20,390
11	Gujarat	6,54,41,370
12	Haryana	3,01,64,258
13	Himachal Pradesh	77,58,034
14	Jammu and Kashmir	1,17,34,709
15	Jharkhand	3,58,62,550
16	Karnataka	6,48,49,050
17	Kerala	3,73,77,817
18	Ladakh	2,40,321
19	Lakshadweep	74,087
20	Madhya Pradesh	7,80,68,045
21	Maharashtra	11,87,76,600
22	Manipur	26,37,796
23	Meghalaya	24,01,534
24	Mizoram	11,98,300
25	Nagaland	13,67,447
26	Odisha	4,40,20,860
27	Puducherry	12,93,758
28	Punjab	3,12,40,741
29	Rajasthan	7,54,36,152
30	Sikkim	5,76,988
31	Tamil Nadu	7,42,24,381
32	Telangana	3,85,23,838
33	Tripura	38,26,432
34	Uttar Pradesh	21,84,47,362
35	Uttarakhand	1,16,16,082
36	West Bengal	9,64,92,565
Total		1,30,20,37,422