Demography of India

31. Directions : The following 05 (Five) items consist of two statements,

Directions : The following 05 (Five) items consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the code given below :
Code :

  • Both the Statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
  • Both the Statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
  • Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
  • Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

55.
Statement I: India has wide variation in population density.
Statement II: Factors like agricultural productivity and history of settlements have greatly influenced the population density pattern in India.

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Both the Statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
Both the Statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
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UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
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The correct answer is A) Both the Statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
Statement I is true. India exhibits vast differences in population density across states and regions, ranging from very high densities in fertile plains (e.g., Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh) and urban areas to much lower densities in mountainous states (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh), arid regions, or dense forest areas.
Statement II is true. Several factors influence this variation. Highly fertile agricultural lands (supporting high agricultural productivity) and areas with a long history of stable settlements (often linked to resource availability like water and fertile land) tend to have higher population densities. Other factors like industrial development, urbanization, climate, terrain, and access to resources also play significant roles in shaping population distribution patterns. Statement II lists the key factors that explain *why* the variation described in Statement I exists.
The population density of India as a whole is among the highest in the world. Understanding the factors contributing to the uneven distribution is crucial for planning and development policies.

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32. Which one among the following States of India experienced the highest

Which one among the following States of India experienced the highest fall in population growth rate during 2001-2011 in relation to the previous decade?

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Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
Tamil Nadu
Madhya Pradesh
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The correct option is B) Maharashtra. Among the given states, Maharashtra experienced the highest fall in decadal population growth rate between 2001-2011 compared to the 1991-2001 decade.
– The question asks for the state with the *highest fall* in population growth rate, not the lowest growth rate.
– Population growth rates fluctuate, and various socio-economic factors influence them.
– Comparing the decadal growth rates for the given options:
– Andhra Pradesh: 14.59% (1991-2001) to 10.98% (2001-2011) – Fall of 3.61%
– Maharashtra: 22.73% (1991-2001) to 15.99% (2001-2011) – Fall of 6.74%
– Tamil Nadu: 11.72% (1991-2001) to 15.60% (2001-2011) – Increase of 3.88%
– Madhya Pradesh: 24.26% (1991-2001) to 20.30% (2001-2011) – Fall of 3.96%
– Maharashtra shows the largest fall in percentage points among the given options.
The Census of India data provides detailed population statistics including decadal growth rates for all states and Union Territories. Factors contributing to changes in population growth rates include fertility rates, migration, awareness campaigns, and socio-economic development. Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala generally have lower growth rates but may not have experienced the *largest fall* in the specific decade compared to states with initially higher growth rates.

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33. Which of the following statements regarding Urban Population in India

Which of the following statements regarding Urban Population in India as per Census 2011 is/are correct?

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  • 1. More than 31% of the total population lives in towns.
  • 2. The number of towns was more than 7500.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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According to Census 2011 data, the total urban population in India was 31.16% of the total population. This is “more than 31%”, making statement 1 correct. The Census 2011 identified a total of 7,935 towns in India, which is “more than 7500”, making statement 2 correct. Both statements are factually correct based on the Census 2011 data on urbanisation in India.
– Census 2011 recorded India’s urban population percentage and the number of towns.
– Urban population: 31.16% of the total population.
– Number of towns: 7,935.
The Census of India defines ‘urban areas’ based on criteria including population size, density, percentage of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits, and the existence of municipal bodies. This classification includes both Statutory Towns and Census Towns.

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34. Natural population change is calculated by

Natural population change is calculated by

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adding the death rate and the birthrate
subtracting the death rate from the birthrate
multiplying the death rate with the birthrate
dividing the death rate by the birthrate
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Natural population change is the difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths occurring in a given population over a specific period. It is typically calculated per 1,000 people.
The formula for calculating natural population change is Birth Rate minus Death Rate. A positive result indicates natural increase, while a negative result indicates natural decrease.
Total population change also includes migration (net migration = immigration – emigration), which is added to the natural population change to get the overall population change.

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35. Which one of the following states has a different female marriage migr

Which one of the following states has a different female marriage migration practice in India?

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West Bengal
Nagaland
Goa
Meghalaya
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Meghalaya is home to several indigenous communities like the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia, which traditionally follow a matrilineal social system. In these societies, lineage and inheritance are traced through the mother, and property is typically owned by women. While patrilocal residence (bride moving to groom’s home) is the norm in most of India, matrilocal residence (groom moving to bride’s home) is sometimes practiced among these communities, presenting a significant difference in female marriage migration patterns compared to the rest of the country.
Marriage migration in India is overwhelmingly patrilocal, where women relocate to their husband’s village or town. Matrilineal societies represent a significant departure from this norm in terms of social structure and residence patterns after marriage.
While some communities in other parts of India might have local variations, the matrilineal system in Meghalaya profoundly impacts marriage, inheritance, and residence patterns, making it distinctly different from the predominant practices elsewhere in the country.

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36. According to Census of India, ‘Main Worker’ is a person who works for

According to Census of India, ‘Main Worker’ is a person who works for at least:

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100 days in a year.
153 days in a year.
183 days in a year.
200 days in a year.
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According to the Census of India, a ‘Main Worker’ is defined as a person who has worked for 183 days (or six months) or more during the reference period (one year preceding the date of enumeration). A person who worked for less than 183 days is classified as a ‘Marginal Worker’.
The Census of India categorizes the population into Workers and Non-Workers. Workers are further subdivided into Main Workers and Marginal Workers based on the duration of work. This classification helps in understanding the nature of employment and the workforce composition.
The reference period for the Census is the one year preceding the date of enumeration. The classification into Main and Marginal workers provides insights into the regularity and intensity of economic activity.

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37. Consider the following statements with reference to Census in India :

Consider the following statements with reference to Census in India :

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  • 1. The first All India Census was attempted in 1872.
  • 2. From 1881, decennial censuses became a regular feature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Both statements are correct.
1. The first attempt at an All India Census was conducted in 1872 during the tenure of Viceroy Lord Mayo. This census was not synchronous across the country and was more of a preliminary exercise.
2. The first synchronous and comprehensive decennial census was held in 1881 under Viceroy Lord Ripon. Since then, the Census of India has been conducted every ten years regularly without break, making it a consistent source of demographic data.
– First attempted census in India: 1872 (Lord Mayo).
– First synchronous decennial census: 1881 (Lord Ripon).
– Decennial censuses have been regular since 1881.
The Census is a crucial source of demographic, social, and economic data in India. It is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. The responsibility for conducting the census lies with the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The latest census was conducted in 2011, and the next one was scheduled for 2021 but has been delayed.

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38. India is still a young country as the median age of its population is

India is still a young country as the median age of its population is

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Less than 25 years
Between 25 to 30 years
Between 30 to 35 years
Between 35 to 40 years
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India is considered a young country primarily due to its low median age. The median age of India’s population is currently between 25 to 30 years (often cited around 28 or 29 years as per recent data). This indicates that half of the population is younger than this age, reflecting a significant youth demographic.
– A low median age signifies a large proportion of young people in the population.
– This demographic profile is often referred to as a “demographic dividend,” representing a potential for economic growth due to a large working-age population.
In contrast, many developed countries have a much higher median age, often above 40, indicating an aging population. While India’s median age is rising, it remains significantly lower than that of older economies, placing it among the younger countries globally.

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39. If you were to browse a table of a recent period showing life expectan

If you were to browse a table of a recent period showing life expectancy at birth for all categories of rural-urban and male-female divisions for all States of India, you are not likely to observe that
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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  • Urban life expectancy is higher than the rural one.
  • Male life expectancy is higher than the female one.
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is B. You are not likely to observe that Male life expectancy is higher than the female one.
– Statement 1: Urban life expectancy is generally higher than rural life expectancy in India, primarily due to better access to healthcare, sanitation, education, and living conditions in urban areas compared to rural areas. This is a well-established trend.
– Statement 2: Female life expectancy is generally higher than male life expectancy in India, as is the global trend. This is attributed to various factors including biological differences, lifestyle choices, and resilience to certain diseases. While the gap exists and has fluctuated, females typically outlive males. Therefore, observing that male life expectancy is higher than female life expectancy is highly unlikely based on available data.
Data from various sources like the Registrar General of India (Sample Registration System – SRS) consistently show higher life expectancy for females than males in India.

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40. In a discussion, M from Arunachal Pradesh, J from Assam, N from Meghal

In a discussion, M from Arunachal Pradesh, J from Assam, N from Meghalaya and S from Nagaland are claiming that as per Census 2011, their State has the maximum density of population. Identify the person making the correct claim.

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M
J
N
S
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The correct answer is J.
We need to compare the population densities of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland as per Census 2011:
– Arunachal Pradesh: 17 persons per sq km (M)
– Assam: 398 persons per sq km (J)
– Meghalaya: 132 persons per sq km (N)
– Nagaland: 119 persons per sq km (S)
Comparing the densities (17, 398, 132, 119), the maximum density among these four states is 398, which is the density of Assam. Therefore, the person from Assam (J) is making the correct claim.
Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density among all states in India. Assam is one of the more densely populated states in the Northeast region, although its density is lower than the national average (382 in 2011).

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