India's population is now pegged at 1.21 billion, an increase of more than 181 million in the last 10 years, according to the provisional 2011 Census report released today.

The population comprising 623.7 million males and 586.5 million females is almost equal to the combined population of the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together.

The population has increased by more than 181 million during the decade 2001-2011, the report said. The growth rate in 2011 is 17.64 per cent in comparison to 21.15 per cent in 2001.

The 2001-2011 period is the first decade -- with exception of 1911-1921 -- which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade, registrar general of India and census commissioner of India C Chandramauli said in presence of home secretary Gopal K Pillai.

Among the states and union territories, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state with 199 million people and Lakshadweep the least populated at 64,429.