• Source:JND

Top Religions In India By Their Population:  India is a land of many beliefs and traditions, where people of different faiths live side by side. People of various faiths live together, contributing to the nation’s vibrant social fabric. However, in recent times, India has faced growing challenges related to religious and caste-based tensions. These issues highlight the need for unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among communities to maintain harmony. Understanding the population distribution of different religions helps provide insight into the country’s complex social fabric and ongoing efforts toward harmony and equality.

Indian Government Announces The Caste Count In The Next Census Survey

After recent targeted Pahalgam terror attacks on Hindus on 22 April 2025, the Indian Government has announced a caste census in India and the idea of doing a complete caste census, which would gather comprehensive information on people's caste identities, is the subject of intense discussion in the country. 

Although caste is the main topic of this conversation, it also serves as a reminder that religion has a significant influence on Indian society. Every religion has its history, culture and community, much like castes and knowing how many people practise each faith enables us to recognise the diversity of our nation. This article will examine India's most popular religions based on their percentage of the country's total population.

Just as in the caste census controversy, analysing religious data demonstrates the significance of acknowledging and respecting each community, emphasising the need for accurate data to support just policies. Millions of people who contribute to India's diverse array of languages, festivals, cuisines and customs are represented by these figures, which go beyond simple statistics.

Top Religions In India By Their Population Percentage

This article will take you through the key points of Hinduism, the predominant religion in India, as well as many smaller faiths like Jainism and Sikhism. Here is the list of top religions in India by their population percentage according to the 2011 caste census survey in India, which was the last official survey in India.

 Religions  Percentage(Last 2011 caste census) Approximate population (As of 2025)
 Hinduism   79.8%  114 crore
 Islam  14.2%   20 crore
 Christianity  2.3%  2.60 crore
 Sikhism   1.7%  2.08 crore
 Buddhism  0.7%    84 lakh
 Jainism  0.4%   44.5 lakh
 Others  0.2%     -