UPSC Prelims 2009 Q40: Geography – Population & Demography
Consider the following statements :
1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased
more than three times.
2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population
of India has doubled.
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
Checking two Census-based population claims
These statements compare India's population metrics between the 1951 and 2001 Censuses, requiring precise figures.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Density of population increased more than three times | Incorrect | India's population density rose from about 117/sq km (1951) to about 325/sq km (2001) — roughly 2.8 times, which is not 'more than three times' |
| 2. Annual exponential growth rate doubled | Incorrect | The annual growth rate did not simply double between 1951 and 2001; it rose, peaked around the 1960s-80s, and had already begun declining by 2001, making a clean 'doubled' claim inaccurate |
Correcting both claims:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Density increase (1951-2001) | ~2.8 times, NOT 'more than three times' |
| Growth rate (1951-2001) | Rose and then declined, not simply doubled |
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The density increase was about 2.8 times, not 'more than three times'.
- (b) Incorrect. The growth rate did not simply double; it rose and then declined.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements overstate the actual figures, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Neither the density nor the growth rate claim matches the precise Census data between 1951 and 2001.
Key point
India's population density rose about 2.8 times (not 'more than three times') between 1951-2001, and the annual growth rate did NOT simply double — it rose and then began declining by 2001.
Remember
India's population density rose ~2.8x (not >3x) between 1951-2001; the growth rate did NOT simply double — it rose then began declining.
Common mistakes
- Accepting round, dramatic-sounding figures ('three times', 'doubled') without checking the precise Census data.
- Missing that the growth rate's trajectory (rise then decline) doesn't match a simple 'doubling' claim.
- Confusing population density growth with population growth rate trends, which behave differently.
Exam tip
Always check precise Census figures against round claims like 'three times' or 'doubled' — the exact numbers for 1951-2001 don't match either claim here.
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