India : Population (Demography) Part-III

Total Questions: 50

31. Arrange the following States in the ascending order of their population density: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]

1. Punjab

3. Tripura

2. Odisha

4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 2, 4, 3,1
Solution:As per Census 2001 and 2011, the ascending order of the population density of given States is as follows:
StatePopulation Density (2001)Population Density (2011)
Odisha236270
Andhra Pradesh277308
Tripura304350
Punjab484551

32. According to the 2001 Census, the correct ascending order of States with minimum population density of India is: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland
Solution:As per Census 2001, the five States with minimum population density of India were: Arunachal Pradesh (13), Mizoram (42), Sikkim (76), Manipur (97) and Jammu-Kashmir (100). According to the Census 2011, the five States with minimum population density are as follows: Arunachal Pradesh (17), Mizoram (52), Sikkim (86), Nagaland (119) and Himachal Pradesh (123).

33. According to the 1991 Census, the correct ascending order of least densely populated States of India is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland
Solution:According to the Census 1991 and 2011, the least densely populated States and their population density (per sq. km) are as follows:
StatePopulation Density (1991)Population Density (2011)
Arunachal Pradesh1017
Mizoram3352
Sikkim5786
Nagaland73119

Hence ascending order given in option (c) is correct, during the question period and even at present.

34. As per the 2001 Census, which one of the following States has a lower density of population than the other three? [U.P.P.S.C.(GIC) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

Correct Answer: (b) Mizoram
Solution:According to the Census 1991 and 2011, the least densely populated States and their population density (per sq. km) are as follows:
StatePopulation Density (1991)Population Density (2011)
Arunachal Pradesh1017
Mizoram3352
Sikkim5786
Nagaland73119

Hence ascending order given in option (c) is correct, during the question period and even at present.

35. Which one of the following States of India is the least densely populated: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (a) Arunachal Pradesh
Solution:According to the Census 1991 and 2011, the least densely populated States and their population density (per sq. km) are as follows:
StatePopulation Density (1991)Population Density (2011)
Arunachal Pradesh1017
Mizoram3352
Sikkim5786
Nagaland73119

Hence ascending order given in option (c) is correct, during the question period and even at present.

36. The most sparse State in India in terms of population density is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

Correct Answer: (d) Jammu and Kashmir
Solution:According to the Census 1991, Jammu and Kashmir had a population density of 77 persons per sq. km, which was less than the remaining three States given in the options. According to Census 2011, the ascending order of the population density of the given States are as follows: Jammu and Kashmir (124), Rajasthan (200), Kerala (860) and Bihar (1106).

State level Patterns in India

For the sake of convenience, the spatial distribution of population density is classified into following categories

1. Areas of Extremely low density

∗ Areas having 100 person/sq.km and less, are included in this category

∗ The states and UT under this category, along with the factors are as below:

Factor determining DensityState/UT
Remote and inaccessibleArunachal Pradesh(17)
Mountainous areaSikkim(86)
Situated away from mainlandAndaman and Nicobar(46)

2. Areas of low density

∗ Areas having population density of 101-250 persons per sq.km are included in this class

∗ The states and UT under this category, along with the factors are as below:

Factor determining Density

State/UT

Mountainous area & forests

Meghalaya(132), Nagaland(119), Manipur(122)

Dry and cold areas

erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir(124)

Very little level land

Himachal Pradesh(123), Uttarakhand(189)

Desert region

Rajasthan(201)

Rugged topography

Chhattisgarh(189) and Madhya Pradesh(236)

3. Areas of Moderate Density

∗ This class includes those areas having 251-500 people/sq.km

∗ The states and UT under this category, along with the factors are as below:

Factor determining Density

State/UT

Tea estates

Assam(397)

Mountainous area & forests

Tripura(350)

Agriculture and Mineral resources

Andhra Pradesh including Telangana(308), Odisha(269), Karnataka(319), Jharkhand(414)

Urbanisation and Industrialisation

Maharashtra(365), Gujarat(308)

4. Areas of High Density

∗ These are areas having population density of 501-1000 people/sq.km

∗ The states and UT under this category, along with the factors are as below:

Factor determining DensityState/UT
Highly developed agriculturePunjab(550), Haryana(573)
Agriculture and IndustriesTamil Nadu(555)
Coastal fertile plainsKerala(859)
Fertile plainsUttar Pradesh(828)

5. Areas of very high density

∗ Areas having more than 1000 persons per sq.km fall under this category.

∗ The states and UT under this category, along with the factors are as below:

Factor determining DensityState/UT
Coastal fertile plains
migration and UrbanizationDelhi(11,297)
Fertile plainsBihar(1102)
Fertile plains and IndustrializationWest Bengal(1029)
  • Other UT in this category are Lakshadweep(2013), Daman & Diu(2169), Puducherry(2548), Chandigarh(9592)

37. In which of the following States, the density of population is less than 100 according to the provisional figures of 2011 Cenus? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Mizoram
Solution:According to Census 2011, the population density of Mizoram is 52, which is less than 100. Population densities of Nagaland (119), Manipur (128) and Meghalaya (132) are above 100, as per Census 2011.

India's Population Dynamics: Standing as one of the world's most densely populated countries, with only Bangladesh and Japan having a higher average population density.
Statistics & Trends:

  • As of 2011, the overall population density of India reached 382 persons per sq km, showing a significant rise from 117 persons per sq km in 1951.
  • Variations Across States:
  • Bihar boasts the highest density, with 1,102 persons/sq km.
  • In contrast, Arunachal Pradesh registers the lowest with just 17 persons/sq km.
  • Other noteworthy states in terms of density include West Bengal with 1,029 persons/sq km, Uttar Pradesh with 828, Kerala with 859, and Tamil
  • Nadu with 555.
  • The National Capital Territory of Delhi stands out with a staggering density of 11,297 persons/sq km.
  • Moderation in density is seen in states like Assam and Gujarat, while
  • Himalayan and North-eastern states (barring Assam) record low figures.
  • Additionally, most Union Territories exhibit very high population densities.
  • Understanding Density Metrics:
  • The physiological Density: It is computed by dividing the total population by the net cultivated area.
  • The Agricultural Density: It is determined by dividing the agricultural population by the net cultivable area, where the agricultural population encompasses cultivators, agricultural laborers, and their families.
  • Importance of Density Metrics: These densities, especially the physiological and agricultural ones, are pivotal as they provide insights into the population pressure exerted on the available cultivable land.

38. Which of the following Union Territories of India has the lowest population density as per the Census of 2011? [U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Solution:As per Census 2011, the population densities of the given Union Territories (people per sq. km.) are as follows:

Andaman and Nicobar Island    -   46

Lakshadweep                                 -  2149

Daman and Diu                            -  2191

Dadra and Nagar Haveli            -  700

Puducherry                                   -  2547

Among all States/UTs of India, Andaman and Nicobar Is- land (46) has the second lowest population density after Arunachal Pradesh (17).

39. Which of the following Union Territories has the lowest population density? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (c) Andaman and Nicobar
Solution:As per Census 2011, the population densities of the given Union Territories (people per sq. km.) are as follows:

Andaman and Nicobar Island    -   46

Lakshadweep                                 -  2149

Daman and Diu                            -  2191

Dadra and Nagar Haveli            -  700

Puducherry                                   -  2547

Among all States/UTs of India, Andaman and Nicobar Is- land (46) has the second lowest population density after Arunachal Pradesh (17).

40. Which of the following States has lowest population density in 2011? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) Rajasthan
Solution:According to the final data of Census 2011, the ascending order of the population density of given States is as follows: Rajasthan (200) <Madhya Pradesh (236) <Gujarat (308) < Karnataka (319). Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

India's Population Dynamics: Standing as one of the world's most densely populated countries, with only Bangladesh and Japan having a higher average population density.
Statistics & Trends:

  • As of 2011, the overall population density of India reached 382 persons per sq km, showing a significant rise from 117 persons per sq km in 1951.
  • Variations Across States:
  • Bihar boasts the highest density, with 1,102 persons/sq km.
  • In contrast, Arunachal Pradesh registers the lowest with just 17 persons/sq km.
  • Other noteworthy states in terms of density include West Bengal with 1,029 persons/sq km, Uttar Pradesh with 828, Kerala with 859, and Tamil
  • Nadu with 555.
  • The National Capital Territory of Delhi stands out with a staggering density of 11,297 persons/sq km.
  • Moderation in density is seen in states like Assam and Gujarat, while
  • Himalayan and North-eastern states (barring Assam) record low figures.
  • Additionally, most Union Territories exhibit very high population densities.
  • Understanding Density Metrics:
  • The physiological Density: It is computed by dividing the total population by the net cultivated area.
  • The Agricultural Density: It is determined by dividing the agricultural population by the net cultivable area, where the agricultural population encompasses cultivators, agricultural laborers, and their families.
  • Importance of Density Metrics: These densities, especially the physiological and agricultural ones, are pivotal as they provide insights into the population pressure exerted on the available cultivable land.