In 1891 Census of British India, which was the first to categorize Sikhs into sects, 579,000 people identified themselves as "Hindu Nanakpanthi" and another 297,000 as "Sikh Nanakpanthi". The other major Sikh categories were Sikh Kesdhari and Gobind Singhi Sikhs in this census. Contemporary groups

Khalsa
Khalsa Sikhs are generally classified as the orthodox sect of contemporary Sikhism. Several subtraditions within the orthodox Khalsa differ significantly in terms of their practices and beliefs. They are generally classified as:
Amritdhari: those Sikhs who have been initiated with amrit ceremony. It is mandatory for them to wear the Five-Ks: Kes (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (sword), Kachha (knee-length pants) and Kara (steel bracelet on the right wrist). They also follow the Khalsa code of discipline such as strict dietary rules such as vegetarianism, saying daily prayers. Kesdhari: those Sikhs who have not been initiated, may or may not ever get initiated. They keep their hair uncut, wear turban, and generally observe some or all elements of the Khalsa code of discipline. However, they do not follow one of more practices of the Amritdhari, and may observe some codes or practices occasionally.
In 1891 Census of British India, which was the first to categorize Sikhs into sects, 579,000 people identified themselves as "Hindu Nanakpanthi" and another 297,000 as "Sikh Nanakpanthi". The other major Sikh categories were Sikh Kesdhari and Gobind Singhi Sikhs in this census. Contemporary groups
 Khalsa
 Khalsa Sikhs are generally classified as the orthodox sect of contemporary Sikhism. Several subtraditions within the orthodox Khalsa differ significantly in terms of their practices and beliefs. They are generally classified as:
 Amritdhari: those Sikhs who have been initiated with amrit ceremony. It is mandatory for them to wear the Five-Ks: Kes (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (sword), Kachha (knee-length pants) and Kara (steel bracelet on the right wrist) . They also follow the Khalsa code of discipline such as strict dietary rules such as vegetarianism, saying daily prayers. Kesdhari: those Sikhs who have not been initiated, may or may not ever get initiated. They keep their hair uncut, wear turban, and generally observe some or all elements of the Khalsa code of discipline. However, they do not follow one of more practices of the Amritdhari, and may observe some codes or practices occasionally.