UGC-NET (NTA) POPULATION STUDIES, JANUARY-2025

Fertility indicators differ in how refined they are - that is, how much demographic detail they incorporate. The order from less refined (crude) to more refined (specific and adjusted) is:
C. General Fertility Rate (GFR): Births per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49); only adjusts for sex and age range.
B. Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR): Births per 1,000 women in each age group; more precise because it accounts for age-specific fertility patterns.
D. Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Sum of ASFRs across all reproductive ages; represents the average number of children a woman would have if current fertility rates continued.
A. Gross Reproduction Rate (GRR): Measures the number of daughters born per woman (refines TFR by including sex ratio at birth).
E. Net Reproduction Rate (NRR): Further refines GRR by accounting for female mortality-the number of daughters who survive to reproductive age.
Hence, from less refined to more refined, the correct sequence is: C → B → D → А → Е.

Based on United Nations Population Division (World Population Prospects 2022), the approximate population densities (persons per sq. km) for the continents in 2021 were:
C. Northern America -~20
B. Latin America & the Caribbean -~33
D. Europе - ~73 A. Africa -~45 E. Asia - ~ 150
Arranging in ascending order (low to high):
C (Northern America) →
B (Latin America & Caribbean) → D (Europe) → A (Africa) →E (Asia).

According to the Population Projections for India and States, 2011-2036 (released by the National Commission on Population, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2020), the estimated statewise population as of July 2020 (in millions) was approximately:
D. Uttar Pradesh - 231 million
E. Maharashtra - 125 million
B. Bihar - 124 million
A. Madhya Pradesh - 85 million
C. Andhra Pradesh - 53 million
Arranging these in decreasing order (high to low): Uttar Pradesh (D) → Maharashtra (E) → Bihar (B) → Madhya Pradesh (A) → Andhra Pradesh (C).

According to India's Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC (2021) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) data, the major contributors to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are:
C. Energy sector - contributes around 75% (includes electricity, transport, and industry energy use).
D. Agriculture sector - contributes about 14% (mainly methane from livestock and rice cultivation).
A. Industrial Processes and Product Use - contributes around 8% (cement, chemicals, etc.).
B. Waste sector - contributes around 3% (solid waste and wastewater management).
In descending order (high to low): Energy (C) → Agriculture (D) → Industrial Process and Product Use (A) → Waste (B).

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects (2022), the median age of the population represents the age at which half of the population is older and half is younger. The approximate median ages (in years) for the given countries are:
D. Congo - 17 years
C. Brazil - 33 years
A. Germany - 45 years
B. Japan - 49 years
Arranging in increasing order (low to high): Congo (D) → Brazil (C) → Germany (A) → Japan (B).

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established by the United Nations in 2000, with a target year of 2015. They consisted of 8 global goals, including:
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Ensure environmental sustainability However, "Ensure compulsory voting in elections" was not one of the MDGs. Therefore, the correct combination is: B, C, and D only

The components of urban growth refer to the factors that contribute to the increase in urban population over time. These are:
A. Natural increase: The difference between births and deaths within the urban population.
B. Boundary change: Expansion of urban administrative limits to include nearby rural areas (reclassification).
D. Net migration: Movement of people from rural to urban areas and between urban centers, resulting in population gain.
While "increase in opportunity" (C) can influence migration, it is not itself a direct component of population growth-it is a driving factor, not a measurable demographic component.
Hence, the true components are Natural increase, Boundary change, and Net migration.

The age-sex structure of a population is influenced by demographic and migratory factors that alter the distribution of people by age and gender. These include:
A. Birth: Determines the number of young people entering the population.
B. Death: Affects age distribution, especially at older ages.
C. Age-selective internal migration: Movement of certain age groups (e.g., working-age adults) changes age composition.
D. Age-sex selective internal migration: Adds gender dimension-e.g., male-dominated labor migration or female-dominated marriage migration.
E. International migration: Alters both age and sex composition, depending on the demographic profile of migrants.
Thus, all five factors affect the age-sex structure of India's population.

Coale's Indices of Fertility, developed by Ansley J. Coale and James Trussell, are used to analyze fertility levels relative to a standard. These indices decompose fertility into separate components to identify which factors most influence differences among populations. The main indices include:
A. Index of Overall Fertility (If): Measures total fertility compared with a standard.
B. Index of Marital Fertility (Im): Measures fertility within marriage. C. Index of Non-Marital Fertility (Ih): Measures fertility outside marriage.
D. Index of Proportion Married (Imar): Reflects the proportion of women who are married (and thus exposed to childbearing).
Since Coale's model includes all four components to explain fertility differentials, the correct answer includes A, B, C, and D.

A field investigator plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data collection. The ideal attributes for such an investigator are:
A. Good rapport building: Essential for gaining the respondent's trust.
B. Language familiarity: Helps in clear communication and understanding.
C. Pleasing personality: Encourages cooperation and reduces resistance.
D. Good mannerism: Shows respect and professionalism toward respondents.
E. Dedication for field work: Ensures persistence, patience, and data quality.
All these qualities together define a successful and effective field investigator.