For the purpose of Census 2011 in India, which one of the following statements correctly defines who is treated as a literate person?

Introduction / Context:
The Census of India uses a precise definition of literacy that is applied uniformly throughout the country. Many examination questions test this definition, including the minimum age considered and the requirement that a person should read and write with understanding. Knowing the exact wording used for Census 2011 is important for aspirants of government exams, since slight changes in age or conditions can make an option incorrect.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers specifically to Census 2011 in India.
- It asks which statement correctly defines a literate person.
- All options describe age thresholds combined with the ability to read and write with understanding, plus one option that only mentions signing.

Concept / Approach:
As per the Census, literacy is not merely the ability to sign or recognise letters; it is defined as the ability of a person to read and write with understanding in any language. Additionally, the Census sets a minimum age for counting literacy to exclude very small children. The official minimum age used in Census 2011 is seven years. Therefore, any statement that alters this age or weakens the reading and writing requirement is incorrect.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the standard Census definition: a person aged seven years and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as literate. Step 2: Compare this definition with each option and pay close attention to the age mentioned. Step 3: Option A uses age seven and includes the phrase read and write with understanding in any language, which matches the official definition. Step 4: Options B, C and D use ages eight, nine and ten respectively, which do not align with the actual threshold of seven years. Step 5: Option E talks only about the ability to sign, which is clearly weaker than reading and writing with understanding, and therefore does not satisfy the Census definition.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard reference books on Indian polity and economy, as well as the official Census 2011 documentation, clearly mention that literacy is counted only from age seven onwards and requires both reading and writing with understanding. Many solved papers repeat the same wording in their explanations. Cross checking these sources confirms that Option A alone is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Uses age eight instead of seven, which shifts the threshold and therefore does not match the official definition.
Option C: Uses age nine, which is also incorrect because literacy is counted earlier from age seven.
Option D: Uses age ten, which further departs from the correct minimum age and is not consistent with Census documents.
Option E: Treats the ability to sign as literacy, which is explicitly rejected by the Census definition that demands reading and writing with understanding.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates remember the phrase read and write with understanding but forget the exact age linked to the definition, leading to confusion between seven and later ages. Some also mistakenly believe that merely being able to sign is sufficient, which was never the Census guideline. To avoid these errors, memorise both parts of the definition together: minimum age seven and the combined ability to read and write with understanding in any language.

Final Answer:
For Census 2011 in India, a literate person is defined as a person aged seven years and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language.