According to the Census of India 2011, which Indian state is the most populous, that is, has the highest total population among all states in the country?

Introduction / Context:
Population figures from the Census of India are a staple part of general knowledge. Examinations frequently ask about which state is the most populous, which has the highest density, and similar indicators. For the Census 2011 cycle, one state stands clearly at the top in terms of total number of people, and this has important implications for politics, representation and resource allocation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to Census 2011 data.
• It asks which state is the most populous state in India.
• The options are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Bihar.
• Union territories are not considered; only states are being compared.

Concept / Approach:
The basic concept is simple factual recall of population rankings. As per Census 2011, Uttar Pradesh has the largest population among Indian states, with over 200 million people. Maharashtra is second, Bihar is also highly populated but below Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi is a union territory with far fewer residents than the largest states. Hence, recognising Uttar Pradesh immense population leads directly to the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that Census 2011 lists population figures for all states and union territories. 2. Note that Uttar Pradesh has a population exceeding 19 crore in 2011, making it the most populous state. 3. Remember that Maharashtra, though very populous, is second in the ranking and does not exceed Uttar Pradesh in total population. 4. Bihar has a large population but still trails behind Uttar Pradesh in absolute numbers. 5. Delhi, being a city and union territory, has a much smaller population compared to the largest states. 6. Therefore, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state according to Census 2011.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official Census 2011 tables, as well as charts in school textbooks and government reports, show Uttar Pradesh ranked number one by population among states, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. Many competitive exam guides repeat this ranking. No credible census data lists Maharashtra or any other state above Uttar Pradesh for the 2011 census, which confirms that Uttar Pradesh is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Maharashtra has a very large population and is economically powerful, but its population is still lower than that of Uttar Pradesh in 2011.
• Delhi is a union territory and major metropolitan region, yet its population is far smaller than the populations of the biggest states, so it cannot be the most populous state.
• Bihar has high population density and a large population but ranks below Uttar Pradesh in absolute numbers.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse economic size with population size, leading some candidates to think Maharashtra might be first because of its high GDP. Others may confuse density with total population and overestimate smaller but crowded regions like Delhi. To avoid such confusion, students should memorise that Uttar Pradesh is number one in population, while Maharashtra is second and Bihar and West Bengal follow thereafter in the Census 2011 ranking.

Final Answer:
According to Census 2011, the most populous state in India is Uttar Pradesh.