The main objective of this paper is to examine the size of population with its special feature, age composition, at all India level, and particularly for three states of Northern India, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The paper is based on the census data collected every decade since 1951 in independent India. It is found that the population of India has increased by 235.15 per cent from 1951 to 2011. State wise the increase in population is 202.41 per cent in Punjab, 346.83 per cent in Haryana, and 187.38 per cent in Himachal Pradesh from 1951 to 2011. Overall decadal rate of increase in population of India, as well as of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, is falling. So, it is a positive sign for the nation, but a further big fall is the need of the country. Expecting a similar decrease in population is not enough for a country like India. It is also found that the working age (15 to 59 years) population in India is proportionately large than the other two age groups, 0 to 14 years and 60 years & above.
age, India, population, size, states
