* **Muslims:** Muslims are the largest minority group in India, constituting 14.2% of the population. They are predominantly found in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
* **Christians:** Christians are the second largest minority group in India, making up 2.3% of the population. They are mainly concentrated in the southern and northeastern states.
* **Sikhs:** Sikhs are the third largest minority group in India, comprising 1.7% of the population. They are primarily located in the northwestern state of Punjab.
* **Buddhists:** Buddhists account for 0.7% of India's population. They are largely found in the northeastern states and the Himalayan regions.
* **Jains:** Jains form 0.4% of India's population. They are predominantly concentrated in the western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
* **Zoroastrians (Parsis):** Zoroastrians, also known as Parsis, are the smallest minority group in India, constituting a mere 0.006% of the population. They are mainly found in the western cities of Mumbai and Surat.
These six minority groups enjoy special constitutional protection and rights in India. The government has implemented various schemes and programs to promote their social, economic, and educational development.
In India, minority communities are defined as those religious or linguistic groups that constitute less than 50% of the total population. According to the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the following six religious communities are notified as minority communities in India:
1. Muslims
2. Christians
3. Sikhs
4. Buddhists
5. Jains
6. Zoroastrians (Parsis)
These six communities comprise about 19.3% of India's total population as of the 2011 census. The largest minority group in India is Muslims, who make up about 14.2% of the population. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians constitute about 2.3%, 1.7%, 0.7%, 0.4%, and 0.006% of the population, respectively.
The identification of minority communities in India is based on the principle of numerical strength and the historical disadvantage faced by these communities. The National Commission for Minorities Act aims to safeguard the rights of minority communities and promote their development.
In India, religious minorities are defined as groups with distinct religious identities that constitute less than 15% of the national population. The six officially recognized minority communities in India are:
1. **Muslims:** With approximately 14.2% of the population, Muslims are the largest minority group in India. They are predominantly found in the northern, western, and eastern regions of the country.
2. **Christians:** Christians constitute about 2.3% of India's population. They are mainly concentrated in the southern, northeastern, and coastal regions.
3. **Sikhs:** Sikhs, representing 1.7% of the population, are primarily located in Punjab, a state in northwestern India. They are known for their distinct identity and contributions to Indian culture.
4. **Buddhists:** Buddhists account for 0.7% of India's population. They are predominantly found in the northern and northeastern states, as well as in some parts of Maharashtra.
5. **Jains:** Jains comprise 0.4% of India's population. They are mainly concentrated in the western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
6. **Zoroastrians (Parsis):** Zoroastrians, also known as Parsis, are the smallest minority group in India, with a population of around 69,000. They are primarily found in Mumbai and Gujarat.
These minority communities play a significant role in India's rich cultural tapestry and contribute to the country's social, economic, and political life.
Here is a table of the world's major religions and their estimated adherent populations in 2023:
| Religion | Adherents (billions) | Percentage of world population |
| Christianity | 2.4 | 31.1% |
| Islam | 1.9 | 24.9% |
| Hinduism | 1.2 | 15.2% |
| Buddhism | 0.5 | 6.6% |
| Folk religions | 0.4 | 5.6% |
| Unaffiliated | 1.4 | 18.2% |
| Other religions | 0.06 | 0.8% |
As you can see, Christianity is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion adherents. Islam is the second-largest religion, with over 1.9 billion adherents. Hinduism is the third-largest religion, with over 1.2 billion adherents. Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion, with over 500 million adherents. Folk religions are the fifth-largest religious group, with over 400 million adherents. The unaffiliated are the sixth-largest group, with over 1.4 billion people who do not identify with any religion. Other religions, including Judaism, Sikhism, and Jainism, have a combined total of over 60 million adherents.
The geographic distribution of religious groups varies considerably. Christianity is the dominant religion in Europe, the Americas, and parts of Africa. Islam is the dominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Hinduism is the dominant religion in India and Nepal. Buddhism is the dominant religion in East and Southeast Asia. Folk religions are found in many parts of the world, but are particularly prevalent in Africa, China, and Native American cultures. The unaffiliated are found in all parts of the world, but are particularly concentrated in Europe, North America, and East Asia.
Religion plays an important role in the lives of many people around the world. It provides a sense of community, purpose, and meaning. It can also be a source of comfort and support in times of difficulty. Religion can also be a source of conflict, as different religions have different beliefs and practices. However, religion can also be a force for peace and understanding.
Here are some additional facts about religion in the world:
* The world's religious landscape is changing rapidly. The number of Christians and Muslims is growing, while the number of Hindus and Buddhists is declining. The number of unaffiliated people is also growing.
* Religion is becoming more diverse. There is a growing number of people who identify with multiple religions or who do not identify with any religion at all.
* Religion is playing an increasingly important role in politics and social issues. Religious groups are becoming more active in advocating for their beliefs on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and climate change.
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