UPSC Prelims 2006 Q72: Geography – Population & Demography
Consider the following statements :
1. According to the Census 2001, Kerala has the smallest gap in male and female literacy rates
among the 28 states of India (Delhi and Pondicherry not included).
2. According to the Census 2001, Rajasthan has literacy rate above the national average literacy
rate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Census 2001: literacy gaps and Rajasthan
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kerala has the smallest gap between male and female literacy among the 28 States | False | States such as Mizoram and Meghalaya had narrower male-female gaps than Kerala in 2001 |
| 2. Rajasthan's literacy rate is above the national average | False | Rajasthan's literacy was about 60%, below the national average of about 65% |
Both statements are incorrect.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false because other States had a smaller gender gap in literacy.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false because Rajasthan's literacy was below the national average.
- (c) Incorrect. Neither statement is correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Kerala did not have the smallest gender gap, and Rajasthan was below the national literacy average.
Key point
In Census 2001, Kerala's high literacy did not give the smallest gender gap (Mizoram and Meghalaya had narrower), and Rajasthan was below the national literacy average.
Remember
Census 2001: Kerala not smallest gap; Rajasthan below national literacy.
Common mistakes
- Equating the highest literacy (Kerala) with the smallest gender gap.
- Assuming a large State like Rajasthan is near the national average.
- Using later Census figures instead of 2001.
Exam tip
Highest literacy rate and smallest gender gap are different rankings — check both.
Sources
- Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India — Census of India 2001: Provisional Population Totals, Paper 1 (literacy)
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition