In which stage of 'demographic transition' is India at present ?

In which stage of ‘demographic transition’ is India at present ?

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High birth rate and high death rate

High birth rate and low death rate

High birth rate and falling death rate

Low birth rate and low death rate

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

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India is generally considered to be in the later part of Stage 2 or entering Stage 3 of the demographic transition model. Among the given options, “High birth rate and low death rate” (Stage 2) best describes the condition leading to the significant population growth experienced by India, where death rates have fallen substantially while birth rates, although falling, remain relatively high compared to developed countries.

The demographic transition model describes population change over time.
– Stage 1: High birth rate, high death rate.
– Stage 2: High birth rate, falling death rate (leading to rapid population growth).
– Stage 3: Falling birth rate, low death rate (population growth slows down).
– Stage 4: Low birth rate, low death rate (population stabilizes or declines).
In India, death rates declined significantly due to improved healthcare and living conditions, starting earlier than birth rates. By 2011, death rates were relatively low, while birth rates were still considerably above replacement level, resulting in a large natural increase and rapid population growth, characteristic of Stage 2 or the transition phase into Stage 3 where birth rates begin to fall more significantly. Option B, “High birth rate and low death rate,” accurately reflects the state that generates rapid growth observed in India.

While birth rates in India were indeed falling by 2011 (moving towards Stage 3), option C “High birth rate and falling death rate” is less accurate for 2011 as death rates had already largely fallen and stabilised at a low level, rather than *rapidly* falling at that specific time. Option B describes the *result* of the process where death rates fell and birth rates remained high relative to death rates.

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