This document is a response from the Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, to Unstarred Question No-†711 asked on 04/02/2026 regarding the determination of minority communities in India.
The response clarifies the following:
* As per section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act 1992, a "Minority" is a community notified as such by the Central Government.
* The Government of India has notified six communities as minorities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and Jains.
* The term "Minority" is not identified in the Population Census. However, data on religions is collected, tabulated and published in Census.
* Census 2001 and 2011 data on religion are published in "Table C-01: Population by religious community". This table is available for download on the Census of India website: [https://censusindia.gov.in](https://censusindia.gov.in). To find the data, navigate to: [https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables](https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables) then select the Year (2011 or 2001) -> Table Series -> Religion -> Table C-01: Population by religious community -> Select State/District.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The primary government body responsible for matters related to minority communities.
National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act 1992, Section 2(c): Defines 'Minority' as a community notified by the Central Government.
Census of India: Collects and publishes data on religions professed by people, including data on minority communities.
Table C-01: Population by religious community: Published census data showing population by religious community.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No-†711
ANSWERED ON – 04/02/2026
DETERMINATION OF MINORITY COMMUNITY
†711. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the definition of minority;
(b) the details of the law under which the definition of minority has been determined by the
Government;
(c) the religion/faith/sects denomination or castes of people included in the minority
community of the country;
(d) the details of the population of minority communities in the country,
religion/faith/sects/denomination/caste and district-wise;
(e) whether there is significant change in the population figures of minority communities in
the country; and
(f) if so, the details thereof, religion/faith/sects/denomination/caste and district-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (c) As per section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act 1992,
“Minority” for the purpose of this act, means a community notified as such by the Central
Government. The Government of India has notified six communities i.e. Muslims, Christians,
Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains as minority communities.
(d) to (f) The term "Minority" is not identified in Population Census. However, in Census, the
data on religions professed by the people of India are collected, tabulated, and published. The
Census 2011 and 2001 data on religion are published in "Table C-01: Population by
religious community", which is available online (downloadable form) on the Census of
India website https://censusindiagov.in and the detail link is as under:
https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables Select Census
Year (i.e., 2011 or 2001) Table Series Religion Table C-01: Population by
religious community Select State /District.
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