UPSC NCERT Notes - Geography - Population and Urbanisation in India

Poverty and environmental degradation are the two major problems of India faces today have much to do with population size. Besides, size, ethnic diversity, rural character and uneven distribution are other aspects of population affecting the progress and pace of socio-economic development of India.

Table of Contents

The population of India:

India boasts over 2,000 ethnic groups, encompassing representation from every major religion and four major language families: Indo-European, Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic, and Tibeto-Burman languages.
Currently hosting 17.5% of the world’s population, India is projected to surpass China as the most populous country by 2025, with an estimated population of 1.6 billion by 2050.

The population’s complexity is evident in the vast variations across social, cultural, and economic parameters such as income, caste, religion, color, gender, and education. India’s linguistic, genetic, and cultural diversity is second only to the continent of Africa.

National Population Policy:

The primary objective of the population policy is to reduce the birth rate and overall population growth.
India’s first National Population Policy (NPP) was formulated in 1976. Despite the intricate demographic landscape, India has historically carved out a unique identity on the world map.
The legal minimum age of marriage increased from 15 to 18 years for females and from 18 to 21 years for males as per the provisions of the NPP.
The immediate goals of the NPP include addressing unmet needs for contraception, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and increasing the number of health personnel.
The NPP also aims to provide Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) for basic reproductive and child healthcare.

Types of Population Growth Rates

India’s population has grown over four times in 110 years, reaching 1210 million in 2011.
In the first half of the 20th century, India’s population grew by one and a half times, and in the later half, it experienced a threefold increase.
The Natural Growth Rate of Population is the difference between births and deaths over a period when births exceed deaths.
Real Growth Rate is calculated by dividing the difference between the population of the last and initial year in a specific period by the initial year’s population and multiplying by 100.
Decadal Growth Rate saw a significant decline from 2001-2011, marking the sharpest drop since independence.

Population Growth and Growth Rates

India’s population was around 238.4 million at the turn of the 20th century, growing over four times to 1210 million in 2011.
The population increased one and a half times in the first half of the 20th century and tripled in the later half.
The decade 2001-2011 added a lower population compared to the previous decade.
In absolute terms, India’s population increased by about 181 million during 2001-2011.

Population Growth Since 1901

The demographic history of India can be categorized into distinct periods:

Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)

The population growth during this period can be termed more or less stagnant. The high birth rate was counterbalanced by the high death rate.
The progressive growth rate in 1921 over 1901, was only 5.42%. In fact, the Census Year 1921, registered a negative growth rate of 0.31%, which happened only once throughout the demographic history of India.
It is because of the decline in place of the rise in population that the year 1921, is called the demographic divide in the demographic history of India. The high mortality during this period was the product of large-scale abnormal deaths due to epidemics of influenza, plague, smallpox, cholera, etc.

Period of Steady Growth (1921-1951)

During 1921-1951, the population of India increased from 251 million to 361 million. This period is called the period of steady growth rate and is characterized by a high birth rate and rapid decline in death rate. The rapid decline of the death rate is because of the improvement in general health and sanitation conditions.

Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-1981)

After 1951, there was a steep fall in the mortality rate, but fertility remained high, therefore, this period experienced a very high rate of population growth and is often referred to as the period of population explosion.
The total population of the country increased from 361.09 million in 1951 to 683.3 million in 1981, recording an increase of 89.36% in a short span of 30 years.
This growth rate was due to accelerated developmental activities and further improvement in health facilities.

Period of High Growth with Definite Signs of Slowing Down (1981-2001)

The phase between the Census years 1981 and 2001 is termed as high growth with definite signs of slowing down.
Although the growth rate remained high, it started declining after 1981, marking a new era in the country’s demographic history.

Decadal Growth (2001-2011)

The growth rate declined from 23.87% for 1981-1991 to 21.54% for 1991-2001, and further to 17.64% for 2001-2011.
The eight Empowered Action Group (EAG) States, namely, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, have higher growth rates than other states/UTs.
The percentage of decadal growth decreased in almost all states/UTs during 2001-2011, except Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu (3.9%), and Puducherry (7.1%).
The most populous states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, all experienced a decline in growth rates during 2001-2011.
Delhi witnessed the sharpest drop (26% points) during the decade, followed by Haryana (8.53%), Rajasthan (6.97%), and Maharashtra (6.74%).
Over 90% of Indians live in states/UTs with declining population growth.
During this period, the birth rate declined rapidly from 34 per thousand in 1981 to 26 per thousand in 2001, while the death rate continued to decline at a slower pace. The difference between birth and death rates consistently decreased, indicating positive outcomes of birth control efforts and people’s inclination towards smaller families.

Census 2011

It has been conducted in two phases. In the first phase, known as house listing and housing census, each building, house, and other structure were systematically listed and numbered.
Besides, useful information on the use of the house amenities available to the households, if residential and assets owned by them were collected.
This exercise, held between April to September 2010, in different states/UTs was used to draw L a frame for the second phase of Census 2011, known as Population Enumeration held in February 2011. The slogan of Census 2011 was Our Census, Our Future.

Major Highlights of the Census 2011

The population of the country as per Census 2011 is 1210.19 million, of which 623.7 million (51.54€ are males and 586.46 million (48.46%) are female The population of India has increased by more th 181 million during the decade 2001-2011.
Percentage growth in 2001-2011 is 17.64; males 17.19 and females 18.12.
The total number of children in the age group 0-6 is 158.8 million (13.1%) declined from 15. in 2001, female children declined more than male children.
The overall sex ratio at the national level has increased by 7 points to reach 940 in Census 2011 as against 933 in Census 2001.
Three states (Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and Gujarat) have shown a decline in sex ratio as compared to the Census 2001.
Kerala with 1084 has the highest sex ratio followed by Puducherry with 1037; Daman and Diu have the lowest sex ratio of 618. Child sex ratio (0-6 years) is 914

Population of India

S.No.	State	Population (as per Census 2011)	Total Population	Males	Females	Sex Ratio	Density	Decadal Growth Rate
1	Andhra Pradesh*	4,93,86,799	1,13,81,611	3,11,69,272	10,38,04,637	993	308	11.10
2	Arunachal Pradesh	13,82,611	3,11,169	3,11,69,272	10,38,04,637	938	17	25.92
3	Assam	3,11,69,272	3,11,69,272	3,11,69,272	10,38,04,637	958	397	16.93
4	Bihar	10,38,04,637	10,38,04,637	2,55,40,196	14,57,723	918	1102	25.07
5	Chhattisgarh	2,55,40,196	2,55,40,196	6,03,83,628	2,53,53,081	991	189	22.59
6	Goa	14,57,723	14,57,723	68,56,509	3,29,66,238	973	394	8.17
7	Gujarat	6,03,83,628	6,03,83,628	6,11,30,704	3,33,87,677	919	308	19.17
8	Haryana	2,53,53,081	2,53,53,081	7,25,97,565	11,23,72,972	879	573	19.90
9	Himachal Pradesh	68,56,509	68,56,509	27,21,756	29,64,007	972	123	12.81
10	Jharkhand	3,29,66,238	3,29,66,238	10,91,014	19,80,602	948	414	22.34
11	Karnataka	6,11,30,704	6,11,30,704	4,19,47,358	2,77,04,236	973	319	15.67
12	Kerala	3,33,87,677	3,33,87,677	6,86,21,012	6,07,688	1,084	859	4.86
13	Madhya Pradesh	7,25,97,565	7,25,97,565	35,003,674	7,21,38,958	931	236	20.30
14	Maharashtra	11,23,72,972	11,23,72,972	36,71,032	19,95,81,477	929	365	15.99
15	Manipur	27,21,756	27,21,756	1,01,16,752	9,13,47,736	992	122	18.65
16	Meghalaya	29,64,007	29,64,007	24738068	7,20,232	989	132	27.82
17	Mizoram	10,91,014	10,91,014	1,59,54,927	5,41,85,347	976	52	22.78
18	Nagaland	19,80,602	19,80,602	5,41,85,347	1,28,27,915	931	119	-0.47
19	Odisha	4,19,47,358	4,19,47,358	7,40,711	3,14,82,282	979	269	13.97
20	Punjab	2,77,04,236	2,77,04,236	1,35,05,130	3,4,73,892	895	550	13.73
21	Rajasthan	6,86,21,012	6,86,21,012	1,69,31,688	3,10,57,742	928	201	21.44
22	Sikkim	6,07,688	6,07,688	1,60,21,290	3,76,12,920	890	86	12.36
23	Telangana	35,003,674	35,003,674	5,83,61,397	1,3,69,764	998	307	15.60
24	Tamil Nadu	7,21,38,958	7,21,38,958	14,92,668	5,52,339	996	555	6.23
25	Tripura	36,71,032	36,71,032	5,52,339	10,25,707	960	350	6.23
26	Uttar Pradesh	19,95,81,477	19,95,81,477	2,12,01,678	1,46,34,819	912	828	27.72
27	Uttarakhand	1,01,16,752	1,01,16,752	3,56,20,086	3,21,661	963	189	6.68
28	West Bengal	9,13,47,736	9,13,47,736	1,67,53,235	12267013	950	1,029	19.17
29	Chandigarh	24,73,809	10,45,96,419	49,62,574	4,44,20,347	818	9,252	9.49
30	Delhi	17,59, 268	24,64,87,731	24,64,87,731	6,62,379	868	11,297	85.82
31	Jammu and Kashmir	10,45,96,419	1,57,53,235	1,59,54,927	4,96,19,290	889	290	54.89
32	Ladakh	51,54,178	10,25,707	1,27,12,281	7,17,012	690	4.6	-24.60
33	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	4,69,27,389	1,60,34,550	3,00,72,962	1,73,66,387	696	700	53.15
34	Lakshadweep	2,46,48,731	3,49,84,645	5,40,11,575	13,51,992	946	2013	6.23
35	Puducherry	6,62,379	5,40,11,575	13,51,992	14,71,339	1037	2598	2.598
36	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1,52,14,345	5,38,675	95,48,95	2,07,45,680	876	46	46.87

To account for all usual residents, the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, is introducing the National Population Register (NPR) in the country. A significant development stemming from Census 2011, NPR aims to establish a comprehensive identity database for usual residents, incorporating biometric data and UID numbers for individuals aged 15 and above.

Demographic Composition

Sex Composition

The distribution pattern of males and females within a population has profound implications for relative roles and economic relationships. Various tools are employed to gauge gender equity.
Sex Ratio: A widely used tool for cross-sectional analysis is the sex ratio, defined in the Census of India as the number of females per 1000 males in the population.
According to Census 2011 (Provisional), out of a total population of 1,21,01,93,422 persons, 62,37,24,248 are males and 58,64,69,174 are females.
The reported sex ratio for India is 940 (although, according to the final population total of Census 2011, it is 943). Notably, the sex ratio at the national level has increased by 10 points since the last Census in 2001, marking the highest ratio since 1971.
Historically, the sex ratio in India has been consistently negative or, in other words, unfavorable to females. During the pre-independence period, the sex ratio consistently declined until 1951 when it experienced a marginal increase.

Sex Ratio of Selected Countries

S.No.	Country	2001	2011
1	China	944	926
2	India	933	943
3	USA	1029	1025
4	Indonesia	938	943
5	Brazil	1025	1042

Continued negative trends in the sex ratio persisted, with a decline from 946 in 1951 to 930 in 1971 for two consecutive decades.
Post the 1971 Census, the trends became inconsistent, showing an increase in one decade followed by a decline in the next. However, it consistently hovered around 930. The sex ratio in 2011 is the highest since 1971, yet slightly below the level recorded in 1961.

Child Sex Ratio (CSR)

Child Sex Ratio (CSR) refers to the number of females per thousand males in the human population aged between 0-6 years, based on the 2011 population data in India.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of children in the age group 0-6 years.
In urban areas, the child population has increased by 3.9 million, or about 10%.
Census data indicates a more significant decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in rural areas than in urban areas over the last decade, pointing towards fears of widespread use of pre-natal sex determination technology in rural settings.
Rural India still maintains a better Child Sex Ratio of 919 compared to urban India’s 902.
The top three states with the highest child sex ratio are Mizoram (971), Meghalaya (970), and Chhattisgarh (969).
Among Union Territories (UTs), the top three positions are held by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (968), Puducherry (967), and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (926).
States with the lowest child sex ratio are Haryana (834), Punjab (846), and Jammu and Kashmir (862), while among UTs, Delhi (871), Chandigarh (880), and Lakshadweep (911) occupy the bottom positions.
Notable increases have been observed in child sex ratios in Punjab (789 to 846, an increase of 57 points), Haryana (819 to 834, an increase of 15 points), Himachal Pradesh (896 to 906, an increase of 10 points), Chandigarh (845 to 867, an increase of 22 points), Gujarat (883 to 890, an increase of 7 points), and Tamil Nadu (942 to 943, an increase of 1 point).

Sex Ratio (1901-2011)

Census Year	Sex Ratio
1901	972
1911	964
1921	955
1931	950
1941	945
1951	946
1961	941
1971	930
1981	934
1991	927
2001	933
2011	943

Literacy

Literacy rate and educational development are crucial factors in enhancing the quality of life, influencing life expectancy, infant mortality, learning levels, and nutritional standards for children.
For Census purposes, an individual aged 7 and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language is considered literate, while a person who can only read but cannot write is not literate.
As per the provisional population totals of Census 2011, the number of literates and illiterates aged 7 and above in India is 77,84,54,120 and 27,29,50,015, respectively. There has been a notable improvement in the proportion of literature over the last decade.

Literacy Rate (1951-2011)

Census Year	Total (%)	Male (%)	Female (%)
1951	18.33	27.16	8.86
1961	28.30	34.40	15.34
1971	34.45	45.96	21.97
1981	43.57	54.38	29.76
1991	52.21	64.13	39.29
2001	64.84	75.26	53.67
2011	74.04	82.14	65.46

The effective literacy rate in India for Census 2011 is 74.04%, compared to 65% in 2001. Correspondingly, the male and female literacy rates are 82.14% and 65.46%, respectively.
Approximately three-fourths of the population aged 7 years and above are literate, with four out of every five males and two out of every three females being literate.
The rural-urban literacy gap, which was 21.2% points, has reduced to 16.1% points in 2011. Female literacy has shown more improvement than male literacy in both rural and urban areas. The female literacy rate in urban areas is 79.92%, while in rural areas, it is 58.75%.

Male Literacy Rate

As of the 2011 Census, Lakshadweep (96.11%) ranks first in the country for male literacy rate, followed by Kerala (96.02%). Bihar (73.39%) has the lowest male literacy rate, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh (73.69%).
States and Union Territories with male literacy rates below the national average (82.14%) are Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Female Literacy Rate

Kerala leads the country in female literacy with a rate of 91.98%. Rajasthan (52.66%) has the lowest female literacy rate, followed by Bihar (53.33%).
States and Union Territories with female literacy rates below the national average (65.46%) are Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Rajasthan.

Ethnic Composition

India, with its vast racial and ethnic diversity, can be categorized into six main ethnic groups.
These groups include the Negritos from Africa, the earliest inhabitants who have survived in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Following them were the Proto Australoids or Austrics, laying the foundation of Indian civilization. These groups cultivated rice, and vegetables, and made sugar from sugarcane, and are now found in parts of India, Myanmar, and the islands of South-East Asia.
Their languages have survived in central and Eastern India. Mongoloids found in the North-Eastern part of India.
Mediterranean or Dravidians are the people of South India. They are believed to come before the Aryans. They are reputed to have built up the city civilization of the Indus Valley.
Western Brachycephalics include the broad-headed people living mainly on the Western side of the country such as the Ganga valley.
Nordic peoples were the last one to immigrate to India. They came to India somewhere between 2000 and 1500 BC. They are now mainly found in the Northern and Central parts of India.

Linguistic Composition

India is a land of linguistic diversity. There are around 179 languages and as many as 544 dialects spoken in the country.
In the context of modern India, there are about 22 scheduled languages and a number of non-scheduled languages. Among the scheduled languages, the speakers of Hindi have the highest percentage (40.42).
The smallest language groups are Kashmiri and Sanskrit speakers (0.01% each). The major families are Indo-European or Aryan and Dravidian with 73% speakers and 20% speakers respectively, whereas Austric and Sino-Tibetan constitute the other major families

Widely Spoken Mother Tongues

Language	Percentage to State Total Population
Hindi	41.03
Bengali	8.11
Telugu	7.19
Marathi	6.99
Tamil	5.91

Religious Composition

As per the 2011 Census, Hindus are 79.80% of the total population and are distributed in all states and UTs. Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have more than 90% of their population Hindu, in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh they are minorities. Lakshadweep and Mizoram have the lowest Hindu population.
Muslims form the second largest religious group in India. They are most numerous in Lakshadweep Jammu and Kashmir, while their population is least in Mizoram and Sikkim. The Sunni sects of Muslims are predominant.
Punjab serves as the stronghold of Sikhism, with over 75% of the total Sikh population in the country residing there. Additionally, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir are significant regions with Sikh populations, collectively constituting nearly 90% of the Sikh population in India.
Christians represent the third largest religious community, and approximately one-third of them reside in Kerala. Nagaland has the highest percentage of Christians, followed by Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Kerala. Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan have the lowest Christian population (about 0.1%). Christians are more numerous along the West Coast and in tribal-dominated areas of the North-East. Sikhs are concentrated in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Delhi.
Three-fourths of Buddhists are found in Maharashtra, with significant populations in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The majority of Jains are concentrated in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Parsis, the smallest religious group, are mainly found in Greater Mumbai and western parts of the country, predominantly in urban areas.

Religion-wise Population (2011)

Religion	Percentage	Urban (%)	Rural (%)	Literacy Rate (Overall)	Literacy Rate (Male)	Literacy Rate (Female)
Hindus	96.63	79.80	16.8	939	925	65.1
Muslims	17.22	14.23	24.6	951	950	59.1
Sikhs	2.08	1.72	8.4	903	786	69.4
Christians	2.78	2.30	15.5	1023	964	80.3
Jains	0.45	0.37	5.4	954	870	94.1
Buddhists	0.84	0.70	6.1	965	942	72.7
Others	0.90	–	–	1008	–	–

Demographic Dividend

Demographic dividend refers to the economic advantages a nation gains due to the structural changes in its population. It represents the accelerated economic growth resulting from a decline in mortality and fertility rates, leading to a shift in the age structure of the population.
According to the 2011 Census, India possesses a younger population compared to many other countries. As a result, the labor force in India is projected to increase by 32% over the next two decades.

Settlements and Urbanization

Settlements, denoting the characteristic groupings of population in occupied units along with associated facilities like houses and streets, can range from small, sparsely spaced hamlets to large, closely spaced metropolitan cities.

Rural Settlements

As of the 2011 Census, 68.84% of the population in India resides in rural areas. States with the highest rural populations include Uttar Pradesh (155.30 million or 18.6%), Bihar (92.07 million or 11.1%), and West Bengal (62.21 million or 7.5%). Conversely, Sikkim (0.45 million or 0.1%), Mizoram (0.52 million or 0.1%), and Goa (0.55 million or 0.1%) contribute the least to the country’s rural population.
During 2001-11, rural population growth was 12.18%, with Meghalaya (27%) and Bihar (24%) experiencing the highest growth. Meanwhile, Kerala (26%), Goa (19%), Nagaland (15%), and Sikkim (5%) witnessed a decline in rural population during the same period.
Himachal Pradesh, with 90% rural population, stands as India’s most rural state, followed by Bihar (89%) and Assam (86%).

Urban Settlements

Towns have thrived in India since prehistoric times, with ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley having prominent urban centers such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Unlike rural settlements, urban settlements are generally compact and engage in various non-agricultural, economic, and administrative functions.

Types of Urban Settlements

Urban settlements have evolved into various forms, including statutory towns and census towns. Statutory towns encompass places with a municipality corporation, Cantonment Board, or notified town area committee.

Towns

All places with a municipality corporation, Cantonment Board or notified town area committee, etc are known as statutory towns.
All other places, which satisfy the following criteria are known as census town.
A minimum population of 5000.
At least 75% of the male workers engaged in non-agricultural pursuits. A density of population of at least 400 per sq km.

Distribution of Urban Settlement

Types of Urban Settlements	Total Number (2011 Census)	Total Number (2001 Census)
Statutory Town	4,041	3,799
Census Town	3,894	1,362
Urban Agglomerations	475	384
Out Growths	981	962
Millions Plus UAs/Cities	53	35
Mega UAs/Cities	3	3

Mega Urban Agglomerations/Cities in India (Census 2011):

Greater Mumbai UA: 18.4 million
Delhi UA: 16.3 million
Kolkata UA: 14.1 million

Slums:

A slum is an area characterized by poor housing, multi-occupancy, overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and a high concentration of social issues such as drug abuse, alcoholism, and crime. Urban slums are a global phenomenon, causing physical and social stress in developing countries.
In India, slums are known by different names in different cities, such as Kolkata – Bastee, Chennai – Chei, Delhi – Juddi Jhopri.

Problems of Urbanization in India:

Rapid urbanization has led to congestion due to people seeking employment and civic amenities in cities.
Shortage of housing, vertical expansion, and slum growth are common features of modern Indian cities.
In most million-plus cities, one out of four inhabitants lives in illegal settlements growing twice as fast as the rest of the cities.
Various Problems of Urbanization:
Economic Problems: Decreasing employment opportunities in rural and smaller urban areas lead to migration to larger urban areas.
The massive migrant population saturates urban areas with an unskilled and semi-skilled labor force, creating pressure on existing infrastructure.
Socio-Cultural Problems: Cities face social ills due to insufficient resources for creating adequate social infrastructure for the urban poor. Educational and health facilities remain beyond the reach of the urban poor. High unemployment and illiteracy rates contribute to increased crime rates. Male selective migration distorts sex ratios in urban areas.
Environmental Problems: Large urban populations dispose of significant quantities of water and waste materials, contributing to water scarcity and unhealthy conditions.
Improper sewage systems exacerbate environmental issues.
Massive use of conventional fuels and industrial pollution result in air pollution.

Prelims Facts

India is regarded as a country with a demographic dividend this is due to – Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years [UPPSC (Pre) 2011, WBSC (Pre) 2019]
Which Indian state has recorded negative population growth according to 2011 Census? – Nagaland (MPPSC (Pre) 2021, JPSC (Pre) 2021)
In India, the second most populated district is – North-24 Parganas (WBCS (Pre) 2018] Rank of West Bengal in India with reference to the tota population as per 2011 Census is – Fourth [WBCS (Pre) 2020]
The percentage of decadal growth of population during 17.64 [BPSC (Pre) 2017
As per the Census 2011, what is the rank of Bihar state in terms of population in the country? -3 (BPSC (Pre) 2017]
The least populated state in India as per the 2011 provisional census report is -Sikkim (APSC (Pre) 2013]
The correct arrangement of communities in ascending order of their population is – Parsis, Jains, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims [MPSC (Pre) 2012)
Which states of India have more than 90% Hindu Population? -Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (MPSC (Pre) 2016]
A great demographic divide in India occurred in the year -1921 [Odisha PSC (Pre) 2015]
The long term objective of population policy 2000 is to achieve stable population is targeted to be achieved till 2045 (MPSC (Pre) 2017)
In which period there was rapid growth of India’s Population? -1951-1981 (MPPSC (Pre) 2011)
The correct sequence of population density from high to low as per the 2011 Census is Bihar, Punjab, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand (JPSC (Pre) 2016]
The state with the highest density of population is – Bihar [BPSC (Pre) 2001)
According to 2011 Census, which district of Uttar Pradesh Ghaziabad (UPPSC (Pre) 2014has largest density
What is the population density of Punjab? -551 (Punjab PSC (Pre) 2010
As per census 2011, the sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) in India is -943 [UKPSC (Pre) 2014]
According to Census of India 2011, which Union Territory has the highest sex ratio? – Puducherry [WBCS (Pre) 2021
As per the 2011 Census, which district of Madhya Pradesh has having highest sex ratio? – Balaghat (MPPSC (Pre) 2021
As per Census 2011, which state has the lowest sex ratio? Haryana (BPSC (Pre) 2017)
Arrange the 5 states in descending order of male and female ratio as per the Census 2011 Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur [Manipur PSC (Pre) 2013]
Female Literacy Rate in India as per the Census data, 2011 stands at -65.46% [APPSC (Pre) 2013]
In which Union Territory the female literacy is highest according to Census of 2011? – Lakshadweep [UPPSC (Pre) 2013]
Which state of India has the highest rural literacy rate? – Kerala (UPPSC (Pre) 2010
As per the 2011, Indian Population Census, which state has largest number of towns in India – Uttar Pradesh [JPSC (Pre) 2021]
In term of area and population, the largest urban agglomeration in India is – Mumbai [WBCS (Pre) 2017)
Which religious group in India has its highest urban population – Jain [UPPSC (Pre) 2022
The state with the lowest urban population in India is – Sikkim (MPPSC (Pre) 2014)
More than one-fourth of India’s urban population lives in the two states of – Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (UPPSC (Pre) 2008]
The most important reason of higher absolute increase in urban population compared to rural population Migration from rural to urban area (APPSC (Pre) 2017)
The least urbanized stated in India is Himachal Pradesh [JPSC (Pre) 2009]
In India, when the population of an urban settlement crosses 100,000 it is called City [WBCS (Pre) 2011]
Which population policy decided the minimum marriage age as 21 for male and 18 for female? – National Population Policy, 1986 (MPSC (Pre) 2018)

UPSC NCERT Practice Questions

1. India is regarded as a country with a demographic dividend. This is due to UPPSC (Pre) 2011, WBCS (Pre) 2019

(a) its high population in the age group below 15 years

(b) its high population in the age group of 15 to 64 years

(d) its high total population.

2. Which of the following Indian states has recorded negative population growth according to the 2011 Indian population census? MPPSC (Pre) 2021, JPSC (Pre )2021

(a) Goa

(b) Haryana

(d) Nagaland

3. The rank of West Bengal in India with reference to total population as per 2011 Census report is WBCS (Pre) 2020

(a) tenth

(b) fourth

(d) fifth

4. Which districts of Uttarakhand state recorded negative population growth during 2001-2011 as per the Census of India, 2011? UKPSC (Pre) 2022

(a) Tehri Garhwal and Bageshwar

(b) Pauri Garhwal and Almora

(d) Chamoli and Rudraprayag

5. Which of the following is true regarding Indian population? WBCS (Pre) 2014

1. Annual population growth rate has been declining.

2. The share of India’s young population has started declining.

Codes

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

6. Which of the following states had the highest sex ratio in 2011? UKPSC (Pre) 2022

(a) Karnataka

(b) Goa

(d) Andhra Pradesh

7. Literacy rate in West Bengal Census, 2011 WBCS (Pre) 2020

(a) 97%

(b) 70%

(d) 77%

8. In India, the period of steady population growth refers to the decades of

(a) 1981-2011

(b) 1951-1981

(d) 1911-1921

9. The last Census of Indian population was held in the year WBCS (Pre) 2020

(a) 1991

(b) 2001

(d) 2019

10. As per the Census 2011, what is the rank of Bihar state in terms of population in the country? BPSC (Pre) 2017.

(a) 1

(b) 2

(d) 4

11. The percentage of decadal growth of the population during 2001-2011 as per the Census 2011 is BPSC (Pre) 2017

(a) 21:54

(b) 17.64

(d) 19.21

12. Find out the descending order of the following districts regarding the density of population as per Census 2011. MPSC (Pre) 2021

1. Kolhapur

2. Jalgaon

3. Pune

4. Nagpur

5. Solapur

Codes

(a) 2, 5, 4, 1, 3

(b) 1, 3, 4, 2, 5

(d) 3, 1, 4, 2, 5

13. As per the 2011, Indian population census, which of the following states has the largest number of towns in India? JPSC (Pre) 2021

(a) Uttar Pradesh

(b) Gujarat

(d) Madhya Pradesh

14. Which of the following states of India have more than 90% Hindu population? MPSC (Pre) 2016

(a) Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

(b) Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat

(d) Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Know Right Answer

1 (b)

2 (d)

3 (b)

4 (b)

5 (c)

6 (c)

7 (d)

8 (c)

9 (c)

10 (c)

11 (b)

12 (d)

13 (a)

14 (c)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the significance of studying population and urbanization in India for UPSC exam preparation?

A1: Understanding population and urbanization in India is crucial for UPSC exam preparation as it forms a significant portion of the Geography syllabus. It helps candidates comprehend the demographic trends, urban challenges, and socio-economic implications, providing a holistic view of India’s development. This knowledge is essential for addressing questions related to regional planning, resource distribution, and sustainable development in the context of the country’s demographic dynamics.

Q2: How do NCERT notes on Population and Urbanization contribute to UPSC exam readiness?

A2: NCERT notes on Population and Urbanization serve as foundational material for UPSC aspirants. They provide a comprehensive overview of demographic patterns, urbanization processes, and associated challenges in India. These notes offer a structured understanding of concepts, historical trends, and government initiatives, aiding aspirants in building a strong foundation for answering UPSC questions on population dynamics and urban development.

Q3: What key topics within Population and Urbanization in India should UPSC aspirants focus on?

A3: UPSC aspirants should focus on the following key topics within Population and Urbanization in India:

a. Demographic Dividend: Understand the concept and implications of India’s demographic dividend, including its potential benefits and challenges.

b. Urbanization Trends: Analyze the patterns and drivers of urbanization in India, along with the associated problems like slums, infrastructure deficits, and environmental concerns.

c. Government Policies: Familiarize yourself with government initiatives and policies related to population control, urban planning, and sustainable development.

d. Census Data: Interpret demographic data from census reports, focusing on population distribution, growth rates, and urban-rural differentials.

e. Regional Disparities: Explore regional variations in population density, urbanization levels, and socio-economic indicators, and understand their implications for planning and development.

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UPSC NCERT Notes – Geography – Population and Urbanisation in India