India : Urbanization (Part – I)

Total Questions: 50

1. A city is different from a village: [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2004]

1. In terms of social values

2. In terms of household composition

3. In terms of way of living

4. In terms of economic activities

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Code:

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above
Solution:A city is different from a village in many terms such as in terms of social values, household composition, way of living and economic activities. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Differences between City and Village

CityVillage
A city is an important centre of commerce and culture with its own local laws and a well-defined housing, transport and sanitation systemsVillages are small groups of human settlements that comprise of permanent residences located close together for better cohesion and socialization of their inhabitants
A city will be large enough to cover a wide area of landA village will only cover a small area of land

As per the Census of India, a settlement having a population of 4 million and above is designated as a city, and at least 75% of the male working population must be engaged in non-agricultural activities

As per the Census of India, there are 3,961 villages which have a population of 10,000 persons or more

The 2011 Census of India states that about 377 Million, about 31.16% of the total population, live in cities

As per the 2011 Census of India, about 83 crore of the total population lives in villages

The conventional view is that the first cities began to form around the Neolithic era (10,000–4,500 BC). Examples of early cities are Sumer, Ur and the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization

Villages began to appear in the early stages of human history, most likely after the Stone-Age era.

2. Urban growth is indicative of: [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2004]

1. Rise in the total urban population

2. Rise in the number of urban centres

3. Rise in the total population of a country

4. Rise in the income from urban areas

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

Codes:

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above
Solution:Urban growth is indicative of all the given statements. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Urbanization refers to the process by which a growing proportion of a population comes to live in cities and other urban areas and the ways in which this affects society and the environment. It is a global phenomenon that has been driven by a variety of factors, including economic development, technological change, and population growth.
In India, urbanization has been a rapidly growing trend in recent decades. The population of India's cities and towns has been increasing faster than the rural population.
According to the 2011 Census, the urban population in India was about 31.2% of the total population. This is projected to grow around 40% of the total population by 2030..

3. Which one of the following is NOT an element of rural community? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Cultural diversity
Solution:Among the given options, cultural diversity is not an element of rural community. It is an element of urban communities.

Aspects of a rural community:
1. Population and Density: Rural areas typically have smaller populations and lower population densities than urban areas. This can result in a greater sense of community where neighbors know each other, but also in greater distances between households.
2. Occupation and Economy: Agriculture is the dominant occupation in many rural communities, with farming being a primary source of livelihood. Other common occupations include fishing, dairy farming, and various trades and crafts. Rural economies are often resource-based, relying on natural resources like agriculture, forestry, or mining.
3. Social Structure and Relationships: Social structures in rural areas are often characterized by strong family and social networks. Primary relationships (face-to-face interactions) are common, leading to close-knit communities. Social stratification may exist, with class and caste systems playing a role in social status and mobility.
4. Lifestyle and Pace of Life: Life in rural areas is often slower-paced and less stressful than in urban environments. Traditions and customs are often deeply ingrained and passed down through generations. There can be a strong connection to the natural environment and a focus on community well-being.
5. Development and Infrastructure: Rural areas may have limited access to certain services and infrastructure compared to urban centers. This can include access to healthcare, education, transportation, and other essential services. Rural development initiatives often focus on improving infrastructure, providing access to services, and creating economic opportunities.
6. Social Homogeneity: Rural communities often exhibit a degree of social homogeneity in terms of lifestyle, values, and customs. This can lead to a sense of shared identity and social cohesion.

4. Which of the following is not a feature of urban life? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (d) Informal ties
Solution:Among the given options, informal ties is not a feature of urban life. Competition, impersonal relationship, formality of relations, anonymity, loss of humanistic values, heterogeneity and market based economy are the main features of urban life.

5. T.K. Oommen distinguished urban families through: [U. P. R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) all of the above
Solution:T.K. Oommen is a renowned Indian sociologist. He gave the following pattern to distinguish the urban families:

1. Sources of income and changing pattern of values.

2. Structure of authority.

3. Urban social milieu and social ecology.

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

6. Consider the following in relation to causes of urbanization and select the correct answer from the codes given below: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2015]

1. High rate of migration from rural to urban areas.

2. Increasing number of educational institutions in cities.

3. High rate of industrialization.

4. High standard of living in rural areas.

Codes:

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Solution:Rural-urban relocation plays a major role in increasing urbanization. 'Pull' and 'Push' factors work in this regard. Under the 'Pull factor', the rural population is attracted to the cities, while under the 'Push factor', people move to the cities to get rid of the problems prevailing in the villages. Under the 'pull factor', the facilities of cities such as the existence of hospitals and schools, employment, development of roads and drinking water facilities are covered. India's towns and cities have expanded rapidly as increasing numbers migrate to towns and cities in search of economic opportunities. MNREGA has helped in raising the standard of living in rural areas, which has led to a decrease in rural-urban relocation. Thus, statement 4 is not among the reasons for urbanization.

7. Consider the following in relation to causes of urbanization? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

1. High rate of migration from rural to urban areas,

2. Increasing number of educational institutions in cities,

3. High standard of living in rural areas.

Which of the above are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Solution:Rural-urban relocation plays a major role in increasing urbanization. 'Pull' and 'Push' factors work in this regard. Under the 'Pull factor', the rural population is attracted to the cities, while under the 'Push factor', people move to the cities to get rid of the problems prevailing in the villages. Under the 'pull factor', the facilities of cities such as the existence of hospitals and schools, employment, development of roads and drinking water facilities are covered. India's towns and cities have expanded rapidly as increasing numbers migrate to towns and cities in search of economic opportunities. MNREGA has helped in raising the standard of living in rural areas, which has led to a decrease in rural-urban relocation. Thus, statement 4 is not among the reasons for urbanization.

8. Which of the following segments of population is not included in the scheme of inclusive development? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (d) Persons living in semi-urban areas
Solution:According to the Economic Survey 2015-16, inclusive development can be seen as a progress in 'Social Inclusion' and 'Financial Inclusion'. Despite decades of planned economic development, a large part of the population such as landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers and Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes are facing social and financial exclusion. Therefore, these marginal sections are at the centre of the programmes of inclusive development. Individuals living in semi-urban areas (excluding BPL & SC/ST families) are not included in these marginal classes as a segment of population.

9. At current rate of growth, the urban population of India by the year 2030 will reach: [U.P. R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) 575 million
Solution:According to data provided by the then Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation in the question period (in Publication Division's 'India 2018'), at current rate of growth, urban population in India will reach a staggering total of 575 million by 2030. As per the UN-Habitat's World Cities Report 2022 (released in June, 2022), India's urban population is projected to be 675.5 million in 2035, growing from 483.1 million in 2020 to 542.7 million in 2025 and 607.3 million in 2030. (B)A

10. In terms of Urbanization India is a: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

Correct Answer: (a) Moderately-low urbanized country
Solution:As per Census 2001, urbanization in India was 27.8 percent. In this context, India lags behind the countries like Singapore and Japan and is classified as a moderately-low urbanized country. According to the final data of Census 2011, about 31.1 percent of the total population in India lives in the cities.