India: Population Archives

41. According to Census 2011, which one of the following is the correct se

According to Census 2011, which one of the following is the correct sequence of States in decreasing order of their total size of population?

Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, Punjab

Jharkhand, Kerala, Assam, Punjab

Kerala, Jharkhand, Punjab, Assam

Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Assam

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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According to the Census of India 2011 data, the total populations for the given states were approximately: Kerala (33.4 million), Jharkhand (32.9 million), Assam (31.2 million), and Punjab (27.7 million).

Arranging these populations in decreasing order:
Kerala (33.4 million)
Jharkhand (32.9 million)
Assam (31.2 million)
Punjab (27.7 million)
This order matches option A: Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, Punjab.

Population data is a key demographic indicator captured by national censuses. For UPSC and similar exams, familiarity with the relative sizes and rankings of Indian states based on population, area, density, literacy, sex ratio, etc., is often required, especially for major states or those highlighted for specific reasons.

42. According to the Census 2011, which of the following statements is/are

According to the Census 2011, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. A person who can only read but cannot write, is not literate.
2. A person aged seven years and above, who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as literate.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. According to the Census 2011 definition, a person is considered literate if they are aged seven years and above and can both read and write with understanding in any language. Statement 2 is the direct definition. Statement 1 is a logical consequence of this definition: if someone can only read but not write, they do not meet the criteria of being able to “both read and write,” and are therefore not counted as literate.

– The Census 2011 defines a literate person as someone aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language.
– A person who can merely read but cannot write is not considered literate by this definition.
– Children below 7 years are considered illiterate by definition, irrespective of their ability to read or write.

The literacy rate in India as per Census 2011 is approximately 74.04%. This definition has been used in Indian censuses since 1991. Prior to 1991, the criteria was being able to read and write with understanding in any language for persons aged 5 years and above.

43. In India, the period of steady population growth refers to the decade(

In India, the period of steady population growth refers to the decade(s) of :

1981 - 2011

1951 - 1981

1921 - 1951

1911 - 1921

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2022

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The period from 1921 to 1951 is considered the period of steady population growth in India.

This phase was marked by a continuous increase in population, unlike the preceding period (before 1921) which saw fluctuating or stagnant growth due to high mortality rates. Improvements in health and sanitation started to lower the death rate, while the birth rate remained high, leading to a steady growth.

The year 1921 is often referred to as the ‘Great Divide’ in India’s demographic history because it marked the transition from a period of stagnant population growth to one of steady growth. The subsequent period (1951-1981) witnessed a rapid acceleration in population growth, often termed the ‘period of population explosion’.

44. Which one of the following is the largest linguistic group of India ?

Which one of the following is the largest linguistic group of India ?

Sino-Tibetan

Austric

Indo-Aryan

Dravidian

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2021

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The largest linguistic group in India is the Indo-Aryan group. Languages belonging to this family, such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, etc., are spoken by the majority of the Indian population.

India has several linguistic families, but the Indo-Aryan family accounts for the largest share of speakers, followed by the Dravidian group.

The major linguistic families in India are Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austric, and Sino-Tibetan. According to Census data, over 75% of the population speaks Indo-Aryan languages, while around 20% speak Dravidian languages.

45. According to the Census 2011, in India, what is the percentage of peop

According to the Census 2011, in India, what is the percentage of people (approximately) considered to be migrants (internal), i.e., now settled in a place different from their previous residence?

25%

35%

45%

55%

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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According to the Census of India 2011 data, the total number of migrants by place of last residence was about 45.6 crore. The total population of India as per Census 2011 was about 121.08 crore. Calculating the percentage gives approximately (45.6 / 121.08) * 100 ≈ 37.66%. Among the given options, 35% is the closest approximation.

– Census defines a migrant as a person whose place of last usual residence is different from the place of enumeration.
– The figure includes both inter-state and intra-state migrants.

Migration is a significant factor in India’s demographic and socio-economic landscape, influencing urbanisation, labour markets, and social dynamics. The Census provides detailed data on reasons for migration (work, education, marriage, etc.).

46. Which one of the following is the biggest cause of incidence of migrat

Which one of the following is the biggest cause of incidence of migration of female persons in India?

Employment

Education

Marriage

Business

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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According to various Census reports and studies on migration in India, marriage is the predominant reason for migration among females. Social customs, particularly the practice of women moving to their husband’s household after marriage (patrilocality), are the primary driver. While employment, education, and business also contribute to female migration, marriage accounts for the largest share.

– Marriage accounts for the majority of female migration in India.
– Employment and education are more common reasons for male migration, although increasingly relevant for females as well.
– The pattern of migration is heavily influenced by socio-cultural factors like marriage practices.

Census 2011 data showed that around 67% of female migrants in India cited marriage as the reason for migration, compared to about 3% for males. Employment/Business accounted for about 2% of female migration compared to 38% for males.

47. Which one among the following is the most populated State in India as

Which one among the following is the most populated State in India as per Census 2011?

Goa

Mizoram

Meghalaya

Sikkim

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2019

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According to the Census of India 2011, among the given options:
Goa Population: ~1.45 million
Mizoram Population: ~1.1 million
Meghalaya Population: ~2.96 million
Sikkim Population: ~0.61 million
Comparing these figures, Meghalaya had the highest population among the listed states in 2011.

Census 2011 data is required to answer this question.

Uttar Pradesh was the most populated state in India in 2011, while Sikkim was the least populated. The question asks for the most populated *among the given options*.

48. Which one of the following Indian States has the highest percentage of

Which one of the following Indian States has the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe population to its total population?

Mizoram

Nagaland

Meghalaya

Arunachal Pradesh

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2018

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The question asks for the state with the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population to its total population among the given options. Based on Census 2011 data (which is the most recent comprehensive data available and typically used for such questions), the percentages are approximately:
– Mizoram: 87.1%
– Nagaland: 86.5%
– Meghalaya: 86.1%
– Arunachal Pradesh: 68.8%
Comparing these percentages, Mizoram has the highest percentage of ST population relative to its total population among the states listed.

– North-Eastern states generally have a high percentage of tribal population.
– Census data provides the official figures for population composition.

Other states and Union Territories in India also have significant tribal populations, but the question specifically asks among the four given states. The high percentages in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya reflect the unique demographic profile of these states, where tribal communities constitute the majority of the population.

49. Which one of the following statements is correct regarding the definit

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding the definition of a literate person for Census 2011?

a person aged seven and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as a literate

a person aged eight and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as a literate

a person aged nine and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as a literate

a person aged ten and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as a literate

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2017

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For Census 2011, a person aged seven and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is treated as a literate.

The definition of literacy adopted for the Census of India 2011 includes two main criteria: age (seven years and above) and the ability to read and write with understanding in any language. The ability to only read but not write does not qualify a person as literate.

This definition has been consistent across recent Indian censuses (since 1991). Children below the age of seven are treated as illiterates, even if they attend school and can read and write.