NCERT Class 12 Sociology Indian Society: Chapter 2 — Indian Society
This chapter introduces Demography and Social Organisation, defining demography as the systematic study of population, derived from Greek words for 'people' and 'describe'. It explores population trends, birth/death/migration patterns, and age/gender structures, distinguishing between formal (quantitative) and social (socio-economic/political) demography. The text highlights demography's crucial role in the emergence of sociology, particularly in 18th-century Europe with the rise of nation-states and modern statistics. The expansion of state functions necessitated systematic social statistics collection, leading to modern censuses, starting with the American census of 1790 and India's first census between 1867-72. Regular decennial censuses in India began in 1881. Demographic data is vital for state policy planning, economic development, and public welfare, and aggregate statistics provide evidence for social phenomena, reinforcing sociology as an academic discipline.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Sociology |
| Book | Indian Society |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — Indian Society |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 499 |
Learning outcomes
- Define demography and its core components.
- Understand the relationship between demography and the development of sociology.
- Recognize the historical evolution of census-taking.
- Appreciate the importance of demographic data for state policies and social planning.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Demography | The systematic study of population, including changes in size, birth/death/migration patterns, and structure. |
| Demos | Greek word for 'people'. |
| Graphein | Greek word for 'to describe'. |
| Formal demography | A quantitative field focusing on population processes like birth, death, and migration rates. |
| Social demography | Focuses on the social, economic, or political aspects of populations. |
| Enumeration | The process of counting or systematically collecting data on a population. |
| Census | A systematic collection of data on all members of a population within a specified territory. |
| Social statistics | Quantitative data collected by the state on various aspects of the population and economy. |
| Nation-states | Political entities characterized by a sovereign state and a nation, typically with a shared culture or language. |
| Aggregate statistics | Numerical characteristics referring to a large collectivity, such as country-level population data. |
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Practice questions
- What is demography? Answer: Demography is the systematic study of population, including trends and processes related to population size, births, deaths, migration, and structure.
- What are the two main varieties of demography mentioned? Answer: The two main varieties are formal demography (quantitative) and social demography (social, economic, or political aspects).
- When did regular decennial censuses begin in India? Answer: Regular decennial censuses have been conducted in India since 1881.
- Why is demographic data important for the state? Answer: Demographic data is important for planning and implementing state policies, especially for economic development and public welfare.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The term 'Demography' originates from Greek words 'demos' and 'graphein', meaning:
Explanation: 'Demos' means people and 'graphein' means to describe, hence demography is the description of people.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a focus of demography?
Explanation: Demography studies population-level trends and processes, not individual psychological states.
Q3. Social demography focuses on:
Explanation: Social demography examines the broader social, economic, and political contexts influencing populations.
Q4. The emergence of sociology as an academic discipline was significantly influenced by:
Explanation: The expansion of state functions and the need for social statistics, driven by nation-state formation, spurred the development of sociology.
Q5. When was the first modern census conducted?
Explanation: The American census of 1790 is cited as probably the first modern census.
Q6. Regular decennial censuses in India have been conducted since:
Explanation: While preliminary censuses occurred earlier, regular ten-yearly censuses began in India in 1881.
Frequently asked questions
What is demography?
Demography is the scientific study of population, focusing on its size, structure, and changes over time due to births, deaths, and migration.
How is demography related to sociology?
Demography played a crucial role in the emergence of sociology by providing quantitative data (social statistics) that helped establish the existence of social phenomena.
When did modern censuses begin?
The American census of 1790 is considered the first modern census, with European countries adopting the practice in the early 1800s.
When was the first census conducted in India?
The first censuses in India were conducted by the British Indian government between 1867 and 1872.
Why are demographic data important for a government?
Demographic data is essential for effective planning and implementation of state policies related to economic development, public welfare, and resource allocation.
What is the difference between formal and social demography?
Formal demography is quantitative, focusing on population processes, while social demography examines the social, economic, and political contexts of populations.
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NCERT Class 12 Sociology — Indian Society — Chapter 2 — Indian Society. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.