UPSC Prelims 2007 Q79: Geography – Population & Demography
Which one of the following States of India has the lowest density of population?
- (a) Himachal Pradesh
- (b) Meghalaya
- (c) Arunachal Pradesh
- (d) Sikkim
Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation
Lowest population density among the options
| State | Density (Census 2011, persons/km²) |
|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | 17 — lowest in India |
| Sikkim | 86 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 123 |
| Meghalaya | 132 |
Why Arunachal is so sparse: large area (~83,700 km²), steep Himalayan terrain, dense forest and few roads.
Extremes (Census 2011):
| Category | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| State | Bihar (1,106) | Arunachal (17) |
| UT | Delhi (11,320) | Andaman & Nicobar (46) |
Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Himachal Pradesh has about 123 persons/km².
- (b) Incorrect. Meghalaya has about 132 persons/km².
- (c) CORRECT. Arunachal Pradesh (17/km²) is India's least densely populated State.
- (d) Incorrect. Sikkim is small in area, so its density (~86/km²) is higher than Arunachal's.
Key point
Lowest density: Arunachal Pradesh (17/km²). Highest: Bihar (1,106/km²). Census 2011.
Remember
Arunachal Pradesh has India's lowest population density (17 per km²).
Common mistakes
- Choosing Sikkim because it has the smallest population. Small population ≠ low density.
- Mixing up density (people per km²) with total population.
- Forgetting that Mizoram (52) is second lowest among States.
Exam tip
Density = population ÷ area. Big area + small population = Arunachal. Small area + small population = Sikkim (moderate density).
Sources
- Census of India 2011 — Primary Census Abstract
- NCERT Class XII — India: People and Economy, Ch 1 (Population)