UPSC Prelims 2008 Q86: Geography – Population & Demography

UPSC Prelims 2008, General Studies Paper I · Geography

1. (a) 14 - 15%
2. (b) 11 - 12%
3. (c) 8 - 9%
4. (d) 5 - 6%

Answer: (d) 5 - 6%

Explanation

Approximate percentage of India's population above 65 years

At the time of this question, India's elderly population share reflected its relatively young demographic profile.

India's elderly population (at the time):

Answer: (d) 5-6%.

Why each option is right or wrong

• (a) Incorrect. 14-15% significantly overstates the actual figure for this period.
• (b) Incorrect. 11-12% also overstates the actual figure.
• (c) Incorrect. 8-9% is still higher than the actual figure at the time.
• (d) CORRECT. 5-6% was approximately India's elderly (65+) population share at the time.

Key point

At the time, approximately 5-6% of India's population was above 65 years of age, reflecting the country's relatively young demographic profile.

Remember

Approximately 5-6% of India's population was above 65 years of age at the time.

Common mistakes

• Overestimating India's elderly population share, perhaps based on more recent (higher) figures.
• Confusing India's demographic profile with that of older, developed nations.
• Not having a sense of India's specific elderly population percentage at this historical point.

Exam tip

India's elderly (65+) population share at the time was approximately 5-6% — a reflection of its young overall demographic.

Sources

• Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India — Census of India 2001: Provisional Population Totals
• NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition

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