India : Population (Demography) Part-III

Total Questions: 50

41. As per the 1991 Census, which one of the following States has a lower population density than the other three? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (a) Sikkim
Solution:As per Census 1991 and 2001, Sikkim has the lowest population density among the given States. The population density of the given States are as follows:
StatePopulation Density (1991)Population Density (2011)
Sikkim5786
Nagaland73119
Meghalaya79132
Manipur82128

42. The correct ascending order in relation to the population density of following States according to the Census 2011 is: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) Gujarat, Karnataka, Assam, Haryana
Solution:As per Census 2011, the ascending order of the population density of the given States is as follows:

Gujarat (308) Karnataka (319) Assam (398) < Haryana (573).

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.

43. Which of the following statement is not correct? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (c) Bihar is the most densely populated State of India.
Solution:As per Census 2001, West Bengal was the most densely populated State of India, where population density was 903 persons/sq.km. According to the Census 2011, Bihar is the most densely populated State of India. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer as per the question period. Statements of other options are correct.

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.

44. Which one of the following statements is true? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

Correct Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh has more than twice the population density of India.
Solution:According to 2001 Census, the population density of Uttar Pradesh was 690 persons/sq. km., while the population density of India was 324 persons/sq. km. Therefore, the population density of Uttar Pradesh was more than double the population density of India as per 2001 Census.

According to 2001 Census, the most densely populated State of India was West Bengal (Bihar, as per Census 2011), while the most sparsely populated State was/is Arunachal Pradesh. As per Census 2011, the population density of India is 382 and that of Uttar Pradesh is 829.

45. Which of the following statements are true? Select the correct answer from the codes given below: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

I. West Bengal is the most densely populated State of India.

II. Arunachal Pradesh is the least densely populated State of India.

III. During 1981-91 Uttar Pradesh recorded a decadal population growth rate of 25.36 percent.

Correct Answer: (d) I, II and III
Solution:As per Census 1991, West Bengal was the most densely populated State of India, whose population density was 709 persons per sq. km. The population density of Arunachal Pradesh was 10 persons per sq. km as per Census 1991, which was lowest in India.

The population of Uttar Pradesh was 11.1 crore in the year 1981, which had become 13.9 crore in the year 1991, that is during this period, there was a 25.22 percent decadal increase in the population of Uttar Pradesh. Hence all the Statements were correct during the question period.

As per Census 2011, Bihar (1106 persons per sq. km) is the most densely populated State of India and Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons per sq. km) is the lowest population density State of India.

46. Which district of Bihar recorded the highest density of population (per sq. Km) as per 2011 Census? [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (a) Sheohar
Solution:As per 2011 Census, Sheohar (1880 per sq. km) has recorded the highest density of population among all districts of Bihar.

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.

47. Effective literacy rate in India is calculated: [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) From the population above the age of 7
Solution:
  • Generally two types of it are calculated as below:
    ∗ Crude Literacy rate = ((No of literate persons)/Total population)*100
    ∗ Effective literacy rate = ((Number of Literate persons aged 7 and above)/Population aged 7 and above) 100
    ∗ Here, Effective literacy rate and literacy rate will be used interchangeably
    Literacy rate-Trends
  • The effective literacy rate for India in Census 2011, works out to 74.04%
    ∗ The corresponding figures for male and female are 82.14% and 65.46% respectively
  • Improvement in Literacy rates when compared with 2001
    ∗ Overall improvement 9.21%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in male - 6.88%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in female 11.79%
  • Literacy rate in urban areas was higher 87.7% than rural areas with 73.5%, according to 2011 Census
    Regional Variations in Literacy Rates
  • Kerala ranks first in the country with a literacy rate of 93.91%, closely followed by Lakshadweep (92.28%) and Mizoram(91.58%)
  • Bihar with a literacy rate of 63.82% ranks last in the country, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%) and Rajasthan (67.06%)
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is lowest in Meghalaya (3.1 percentage points) and less than 5 percentage points in the States of Kerala and Mizoram and between 5 to 10 percentage points in A&N Island, Chandigarh, Goa, Lakshadweep Nagaland, Punjab and Tripura
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is highest in the State of Rajasthan (27.1 percentage points) and much more in the States of Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh

48. The highest percentage increase in India's literacy has been observed during: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]

Correct Answer: (d) 1991-2001
Solution:n the given decades, India's highest percentage increase in literacy was in 1991-2001 (about 12.62%). In the decade 2001- 2011, literacy has seen an increase of about 8.20 percent.
  • Generally two types of it are calculated as below:
    ∗ Crude Literacy rate = ((No of literate persons)/Total population)*100
    ∗ Effective literacy rate = ((Number of Literate persons aged 7 and above)/Population aged 7 and above) 100
    ∗ Here, Effective literacy rate and literacy rate will be used interchangeably
    Literacy rate-Trends
  • The effective literacy rate for India in Census 2011, works out to 74.04%
    ∗ The corresponding figures for male and female are 82.14% and 65.46% respectively
  • Improvement in Literacy rates when compared with 2001
    ∗ Overall improvement 9.21%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in male - 6.88%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in female 11.79%
  • Literacy rate in urban areas was higher 87.7% than rural areas with 73.5%, according to 2011 Census
    Regional Variations in Literacy Rates
  • Kerala ranks first in the country with a literacy rate of 93.91%, closely followed by Lakshadweep (92.28%) and Mizoram(91.58%)
  • Bihar with a literacy rate of 63.82% ranks last in the country, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%) and Rajasthan (67.06%)
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is lowest in Meghalaya (3.1 percentage points) and less than 5 percentage points in the States of Kerala and Mizoram and between 5 to 10 percentage points in A&N Island, Chandigarh, Goa, Lakshadweep Nagaland, Punjab and Tripura
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is highest in the State of Rajasthan (27.1 percentage points) and much more in the States of Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh

49. As per the provisional figures of Census 2011, the literacy rate in India is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (b) 74.04%
Solution:As per provisional figures of Census 2011, the literacy rate in India was 74.04 percent. While according to final data of Census 2011, the literacy rate in India is 73.0 percent (Male-80.9%, Female-64.6%), which is 8.2 percentage point higher than 2001 Census.
  • Generally two types of it are calculated as below:
    ∗ Crude Literacy rate = ((No of literate persons)/Total population)*100
    ∗ Effective literacy rate = ((Number of Literate persons aged 7 and above)/Population aged 7 and above) 100
    ∗ Here, Effective literacy rate and literacy rate will be used interchangeably
    Literacy rate-Trends
  • The effective literacy rate for India in Census 2011, works out to 74.04%
    ∗ The corresponding figures for male and female are 82.14% and 65.46% respectively
  • Improvement in Literacy rates when compared with 2001
    ∗ Overall improvement 9.21%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in male - 6.88%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in female 11.79%
  • Literacy rate in urban areas was higher 87.7% than rural areas with 73.5%, according to 2011 Census
    Regional Variations in Literacy Rates
  • Kerala ranks first in the country with a literacy rate of 93.91%, closely followed by Lakshadweep (92.28%) and Mizoram(91.58%)
  • Bihar with a literacy rate of 63.82% ranks last in the country, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%) and Rajasthan (67.06%)
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is lowest in Meghalaya (3.1 percentage points) and less than 5 percentage points in the States of Kerala and Mizoram and between 5 to 10 percentage points in A&N Island, Chandigarh, Goa, Lakshadweep Nagaland, Punjab and Tripura
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is highest in the State of Rajasthan (27.1 percentage points) and much more in the States of Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh

50. As per Census 2001, the literacy average in India touched: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (b) 75.85% of the population
Solution:According to the Census 2001, the literacy rate of India was 64.8%. As per final data of Census 2011, the literacy rate in India is 73.0 percent (Rural-67.8% and Urban-84.1%).
  • Generally two types of it are calculated as below:
    ∗ Crude Literacy rate = ((No of literate persons)/Total population)*100
    ∗ Effective literacy rate = ((Number of Literate persons aged 7 and above)/Population aged 7 and above) 100
    ∗ Here, Effective literacy rate and literacy rate will be used interchangeably
    Literacy rate-Trends
  • The effective literacy rate for India in Census 2011, works out to 74.04%
    ∗ The corresponding figures for male and female are 82.14% and 65.46% respectively
  • Improvement in Literacy rates when compared with 2001
    ∗ Overall improvement 9.21%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in male - 6.88%
    ∗ Improvement of literacy rate in female 11.79%
  • Literacy rate in urban areas was higher 87.7% than rural areas with 73.5%, according to 2011 Census
    Regional Variations in Literacy Rates
  • Kerala ranks first in the country with a literacy rate of 93.91%, closely followed by Lakshadweep (92.28%) and Mizoram(91.58%)
  • Bihar with a literacy rate of 63.82% ranks last in the country, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%) and Rajasthan (67.06%)
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is lowest in Meghalaya (3.1 percentage points) and less than 5 percentage points in the States of Kerala and Mizoram and between 5 to 10 percentage points in A&N Island, Chandigarh, Goa, Lakshadweep Nagaland, Punjab and Tripura
  • The gap in literacy rates of males and females is highest in the State of Rajasthan (27.1 percentage points) and much more in the States of Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh