India : Population (Demography) Part-VII

Total Questions: 47

41. As per the 1991 Census, the average size of households in terms of number of persons per household in respect of the given states follows the sequence (highest first, lowest last). [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (e) Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal
Solution:As per the Census 2001, the average household size of the given States was as follows:
StateAverage Household Size
Uttar Pradesh6.5
Haryana5.7
Gujarat5.25
West Bengal5.05
Kerala4.73
Tamil Nadu4.25

Note: At present, the average household size based on 1991 Census is unavailable.

There are three types of households in the Census

Normal Households: This is a group of people who usually live together and use a common kitchen.

Institutional Households: A group that has no affiliation (relation) with each other but they live together. E.g. Boarding House, Hostel and Jails etc..

Homeless Households: Those who do not  live in houses or census houses. E.g. people living on footpaths, under bridges, and railway platforms etc.

As per Census 2011:

StateAverage Household Size
Uttar Pradesh6.0
Jammu and Kashmir5.8
Bihar and Lakshadweep5.5
Meghalaya and Rajasthan5.4
Jharkhand5.3
Haryana5.2
Manipur5.1
Tamil Nadu3.9 (lowest)

42. Under the National Literacy Mission, threshold literacy rate of 75 percent was fixed. The target year for this was: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]

Correct Answer: (a) 2007
Solution:National Literacy Mission was started by former Prime Minister (late) Rajiv Gandhi on May 5, 1988. The main target of the National Literacy Mission was to attain a sustainable threshold level of 75 percent literacy by the year 2007.

The major National Literacy Mission objectives and aims are as follows:

  • The aim was to undertake a full scale literacy campaign which would be of a sustainable threshold level touching the minimum mark of 75% of the population by the year 2007. The mission seeked to fulfill this goal by imparting functional literacy to non-literates from the age of 15 to 35.
  • The objective was also to make all of the citizens self-reliant but alongside identifying and getting aware of the underlying causes of deprivation of education and going forward towards the amelioration of the condition by making every citizen a part of thep process of development by helping people make the most out of education.
  • Helping with skill enhancement to improve the general well being and economic status of the people of the country.
  • Helping the students imbibe values of national integration, women's equality, conservation of the environment, observance of the nuclear family norms and the like.
  • Catalysing the reduction in gender gap in literacy by 10%.
  • Helping with the reduction of gender, social, and regional disparities in the educational spheres.

43. The tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands belongs to the: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (d) Negroid race
Solution:The tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands mainly belongs to the Negroid race. The main tribes living in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas and Sentinelese.
  • Shompen is the only PVTG in the region with Mongoloid features. The other PVTGs have negroid features. Some of them interact with 'Great Nicobarese' - a Scheduled Tribe.
  • The population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands' primitive tribes has rapidly declined over the years. The epidemics and crippling health crises of the past have been seen to disproportionately impact these indigenous tribal groups.
  • 75 tribal groups have been categorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs as PVTGs. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of 'Development of PVTGs' exclusively for them.
  • Article 366 (25) of the Constitution provides a process to define Scheduled Tribes

44. Although the human population of India is increasing at a rapid rate, the bird population is declining rapidly because: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]

1. There has been extraordinary increase in the number of predators.

2. Organic pesticides and organic fertilizers are being used on a large scale.

3. There has been a large scale reduction in the habitat of birds.

4. Insecticides, chemical fertilizers and mosquito repellants are being used on a large scale.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:

Correct Answer: (c) 3 and 4
Solution:In the wake of rapid increase in population and pressure to increase the foodgrain production, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are increasing, which is a major factor responsible for the decline in the number of birds. Simultaneously, the increase in human habitation range, deforestation and reduction in natural habitat of birds are also responsible for decline in the number of birds.

45. Which of the following is not an effect of population growth in India? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, 2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Increase in wildlife
Solution:In India, as a result of population growth, there has been a decrease in arable land and due to the efforts made for development, pollution has increased. On a large scale, the forest areas have been cut for residential needs and land for industrialization, which has led to increase in floods and decrease in the population of wild animals due to lack of forest areas.

46. Assertion (A): Ganga Plain is the most densely populated part of India. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2000]

Reason (R): Ganga is the most harnessed river of India. Codes:

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:The Gangetic plain is one of the most densely populated areas not only in India but in the world. The reason for this is that the Ganges is the most harnessed river of India.

The Indo-Gangetic Plains, also known as the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plains or the Great Plains of North India, refer to an aggradational plain formed by the alluvial deposits carried by the three rivers - Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries.

It constitutes one of the 5 physiographic divisions of India. Along with being the youngest physiographic feature of India, it also holds the distinction of being the largest alluvial plain in the world.

47. Progressive population-resource areas of India includes: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]

1. Ganga-Yamuna Doab

2. Coastal Odisha

3. Rajasthan

4. Tamil Nadu

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1 and 4
Solution:The five regions of India's progressive population resources are as follows:

1. West Bengal delta

2. Deccan Trap

3. Tamil Nadu

4. Punjab Plain and Ganga-Yamuna Doab

5. South-East Karnataka Plateau