India: Population Archives

21. Arrange the following states in order of their decreasing population s

Arrange the following states in order of their decreasing population size as per the census 2011 :

1. West Bengal
2. Bihar
3. Maharashtra
4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

2 – 3 – 1 – 4

3 – 2 – 1 – 4

1 – 4 – 3 – 2

3 – 1 – 4 – 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

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Based on the 2011 Census of India, the population sizes of the given states were approximately:
1. West Bengal: ~91.3 million
2. Bihar: ~104.1 million
3. Maharashtra: ~112.4 million
4. Andhra Pradesh (undivided): ~84.6 million
Arranging these in decreasing order of population: Maharashtra > Bihar > West Bengal > Andhra Pradesh. This corresponds to the sequence 3 – 2 – 1 – 4.

– Maharashtra had the second-largest population in India as per Census 2011 (after Uttar Pradesh).
– Bihar had the third-largest population.
– West Bengal had the fourth-largest population.
– Andhra Pradesh (undivided) had the fifth-largest population.

The Census of India is conducted every 10 years and provides vital demographic data. Population figures can change over time, and state reorganizations (like the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014) impact current rankings, but the question specifically refers to the 2011 census data.

22. Consider the following Indian States : 1. Bihar 2. Rajasthan 3.

Consider the following Indian States :

1. Bihar
2. Rajasthan
3. Jammu and Kashmir
4. Haryana

Which one of the following is the correct ascending order of the above States on the basis of percentage of State’s population to total population of India (based on census 2011) ?

3 – 4 – 1 – 2

4 – 2 – 1 – 3

3 – 4 – 2 – 1

2 – 3 – 4 – 1

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

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We need to arrange the given states in ascending order based on their percentage of the total population of India as per the 2011 Census.
Let’s approximate the populations (in millions) and calculate the percentages (approx) relative to India’s total population (approx 1210 million) in 2011:
1. Bihar: Approx 104 million (approx 8.6%)
2. Rajasthan: Approx 68.5 million (approx 5.6%)
3. Jammu and Kashmir: Approx 12.5 million (approx 1.0%)
4. Haryana: Approx 25.3 million (approx 2.1%)

Arranging these percentages in ascending order:
1.0% (Jammu and Kashmir) < 2.1% (Haryana) < 5.6% (Rajasthan) < 8.6% (Bihar) The corresponding order of states is Jammu and Kashmir (3), Haryana (4), Rajasthan (2), Bihar (1). Thus, the correct ascending order is 3 – 4 – 2 – 1.

This question requires knowledge of the relative populations of Indian states and their share in the total national population based on census data.

Population distribution across states is a crucial demographic aspect of India, influencing political representation, resource allocation, and development planning. Uttar Pradesh has the largest population, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal (as per 2011 census).

23. Which one of the following Union Territories has the highest female li

Which one of the following Union Territories has the highest female literacy rate ?

Chandigarh

Lakshadweep

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Puducherry

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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Based on the Census of India 2011 data, Lakshadweep had the highest female literacy rate among the given Union Territories.

Census 2011 female literacy rates for the options were approximately: Lakshadweep (88.25%), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (81.84%), Chandigarh (81.38%), Puducherry (81.22%).

Literacy rate data is typically collected during national censuses. The 2011 Census is the most recent comprehensive data publicly available and frequently used in such questions.

24. According to the Census 2011, the density of population in which one a

According to the Census 2011, the density of population in which one among the following States is the lowest ?

Sikkim

Nagaland

Manipur

Mizoram

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

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According to the Census 2011, the density of population is lowest in Mizoram among the given options.

Based on the 2011 Census of India, the population densities of the given states are:
Sikkim: 86 persons per sq km
Nagaland: 119 persons per sq km
Manipur: 128 persons per sq km
Mizoram: 52 persons per sq km
Comparing these figures, Mizoram has the lowest population density among the listed states.

Arunachal Pradesh holds the distinction of having the lowest population density among all Indian states according to the 2011 Census, with only 17 persons per sq km. The high population density states are primarily in the Indo-Gangetic plains, with Bihar having the highest density (1106 persons per sq km). The population density of India as a whole was 382 persons per sq km in 2011.

25. 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.

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.

This question was previously asked in

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.

26. 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?

Andhra Pradesh

Maharashtra

Tamil Nadu

Madhya Pradesh

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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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.

27. Natural population change is calculated by

Natural population change is calculated by

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2022

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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.

28. 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?

West Bengal

Nagaland

Goa

Meghalaya

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2020

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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.

29. 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:

100 days in a year.

153 days in a year.

183 days in a year.

200 days in a year.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2020

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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.

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

Consider the following statements with reference to Census in India :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2024

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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.