Census provides informationabout the land and people. Itgives the demographic, economic, social and cultural profile of the people of an area at a point of time. For taking up administrative, economic or social work reference to the CensusReport is very much essental. Demographic analysisprovides great assistance to those who carry out tasks of administration, planning, reconstruction of the economic order and social order.

            A systematic and modern populationCensus in the present form was conducted non-synchronously between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of India during British Rule, which is known as the first population Census of India. But the first synchronousCensus in India was held in 1881. Since then,Censuses are being undertaken uninterruptedly once in every 10 years and the last being conducted in the year 2011.

            Prior to the last population enumeration, House listing and Housing Census was conducted from 7^th April to 22^nd May 2010 in Odisha state. The population enumeration was conducted throughout the state from 9^th February to 28^th February (both days inclusive) and a revisional round from 1^stMarch to 5^thMarch 2011. The reference moment for population Census 2011 was 00.00 hrs of 1^stMarch 2011.After the enumeration, the provisional results of the state up to district level were declared on 7^th April 2011 by the Director of Census Operations. Then the final population data for 2011 census was released in the form of Primary Census Abstract (PCA), 2011 Census. In the Primary Census Abstract (PCA,) figures on Population, Child Population (0-6 years), literates and works have been released.Besides PCA, many other data relating to population on Education, Age, Marriage, Fertility, Marital Status, Household size etc. have also been released for the country and various states and Union Territories. The releases by the office of Registrar General of India are normally in tabular forms, which are interpreted by various reserachers, academicians and data users subsequently.

            In the publication titled “Demographic Profile of Odisha” authored by Shri Bishnupada Sethi & Shri Chittaranjan Mohanty, some efforts have been made to analyse the population data as well as data on various characteristics like population attending educational institutions, age specific work-participation rate, child marriage, fertility, Households availing banking services, marital status, work-participation rate, religion etc.of Odisha state. Such analyses were not part of the data releases by the Census Organisation.

Besides,some datacollected through Annual Health Survey and Sample Registration System on death and birth have also been analysed. This publication provides information on marriage and fertility data collected through AHS.Analysis has been donemainly basing on 2011 Census data of Odisha State on matters like: a). Size, Growth, Sex ratio, Child Population, Child Sex Ratio and Literacy, b). Population of Odisha Attending Educational Institutions, c). Work Participation rate of population with disability, d). Age specific work participation rate, e). Households with number of workers by Household size, f). Marital status of this population, g). Age at marriage and Duration of marriage, h).Fertility status of Women of Odisha, i). Marriage, Fertility and abortion in Odisha as per the annual Health Survey, j). Religious Affiliations of population of Odisha, k). Banking Facility in Odisha, l). Clinical, Anthropometric and Bio chemical (CAB) survey 2014: Odisha, m). Amenities available to the households such as concrete roofing, availability of Tap water for drinking purpose and Latrine facility. The book provides useful insights on the population of Odisha as per 2011 census.

            Author Shri Sethi, as the Director of Census Operations (2009-2015)conducted Census of 2011 successfully in Odisha state. He was ably assisted by ShriChittaranjanMohanty,who is associated with the Census Organizationsince 1961. After retirement, he is continuing in the Census Directorate as a Consultant from the year 2010. ShriMohanty has taken active part in conduct of six Censuses from 1961 to 2011.

            The book has been published by INDIA BOOK BAZAR, C/o- Imperial Edusystems Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad and will be available in various stores. Besides, the same can be ordered online at www. Indiabookbazar.com.