6. POPULATION
40 MCQs
1. Population is considered the pivotal element in
social studies because
A. it decides political boundaries
B. it uses and develops resources
C. it controls climate
D. it determines latitude
✔ Answer: B
2. India’s population as per Census 2011 was
approximately
A. 1028 million
B. 1150 million
C. 1210 million
D. 1350 million
✔ Answer: C
3. India accounts for about how much percentage of
the world’s population?
A. 10%
B. 12%
C. 15%
D. 17%
✔ Answer: D
4. India occupies about how much percentage of the
world’s land area?
A. 1.5%
B. 2.0%
C. 2.4%
D. 3.0%
✔ Answer: C
5. Which is the most populous state of India as per
Census 2011?
A. Maharashtra
B. Bihar
C. West Bengal
D. Uttar Pradesh
✔ Answer: D
6. Which state has the lowest population in India?
A. Goa
B. Sikkim
C. Mizoram
D. Tripura
✔ Answer: B
7. Which Union Territory has the smallest population?
A. Daman & Diu
B. Andaman & Nicobar
C. Lakshadweep
D. Chandigarh
✔ Answer: C
8. Almost half of India’s population lives in how
many states?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six
✔ Answer: C
9. Population density means
A. total population
B. population growth rate
C. persons per square km
D. sex ratio
✔ Answer: C
10. Population density of India (2011) was
A. 324 persons/sq km
B. 356 persons/sq km
C. 382 persons/sq km
D. 410 persons/sq km
✔ Answer: C
11. Which state has the highest population density?
A. Kerala
B. Bihar
C. West Bengal
D. Uttar Pradesh
✔ Answer: B
12. Which state has the lowest population density?
A. Sikkim
B. Mizoram
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Himachal Pradesh
✔ Answer: C
13. Which physical factor largely affects population
distribution?
A. Language
B. Climate
C. Religion
D. Government policy
✔ Answer: B
14. The Northern Plains have high population density
mainly due to
A. mineral resources
B. flat land and fertile soil
C. tourism
D. cold climate
✔ Answer: B
15. Census in India is conducted every
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. 15 years
✔ Answer: C
16. The first complete census in India was conducted
in
A. 1872
B. 1881
C. 1891
D. 1901
✔ Answer: B
17. Growth of population refers to
A. change in literacy
B. change in population size
C. migration only
D. urbanisation
✔ Answer: B
18. Absolute increase in population means
A. percentage increase
B. number added per year
C. difference between two census populations
D. growth rate
✔ Answer: C
19. Which decade recorded the highest absolute
increase in India’s population?
A. 1961–71
B. 1971–81
C. 1981–91
D. 1991–2001
✔ Answer: D
20. The main cause of population growth in India has
been
A. migration
B. high death rate
C. declining birth rate
D. declining death rate
✔ Answer: D
21. Since 1981, the population growth rate in India
has
A. increased sharply
B. remained constant
C. declined gradually
D. stopped completely
✔ Answer: C
22. Natural increase of population is the difference
between
A. immigration and emigration
B. rural and urban population
C. birth rate and death rate
D. male and female population
✔ Answer: C
23. Birth rate is measured as number of births per
A. 100 persons
B. 500 persons
C. 1000 persons
D. 10,000 persons
✔ Answer: C
24. Death rate refers to
A. deaths per year
B. deaths per 1000 persons per year
C. total deaths
D. infant deaths only
✔ Answer: B
25. Migration that takes place within a country is
called
A. immigration
B. emigration
C. internal migration
D. international migration
✔ Answer: C
26. Internal migration affects
A. size of population
B. population distribution
C. population growth rate
D. birth rate
✔ Answer: B
27. Most migration in India is from
A. urban to rural
B. rural to urban
C. urban to urban
D. international to rural
✔ Answer: B
28. The “push” factor of migration refers to
A. job opportunities
B. better education
C. poverty and unemployment
D. better healthcare
✔ Answer: C
29. Urban population in India increased mainly due to
A. high birth rate
B. rural-urban migration
C. international migration
D. low death rate
✔ Answer: B
30. Million-plus cities are cities with population
above
A. 5 lakh
B. 8 lakh
C. 10 lakh
D. 15 lakh
✔ Answer: C
31. Adolescents belong to which age group?
A. 5–10 years
B. 10–19 years
C. 15–25 years
D. 20–30 years
✔ Answer: B
32. Adolescents form approximately what fraction of
India’s population?
A. One-fourth
B. One-third
C. One-fifth
D. Half
✔ Answer: C
33. A major health problem among adolescent girls in
India is
A. obesity
B. anaemia
C. diabetes
D. asthma
✔ Answer: B
34. India’s first Family Planning Programme was
launched in
A. 1947
B. 1951
C. 1952
D. 1961
✔ Answer: C
35. National Population Policy (NPP) was introduced in
A. 1991
B. 1995
C. 2000
D. 2005
✔ Answer: C
36. NPP 2000 aims to reduce Infant Mortality Rate to
below
A. 20 per 1000
B. 25 per 1000
C. 30 per 1000
D. 40 per 1000
✔ Answer: C
37. According to census, a literate person is one who
A. can sign
B. can read only
C. is 7 years and can read & write with understanding
D. knows arithmetic
✔ Answer: C
38. Sex ratio is defined as
A. males per thousand females
B. females per thousand males
C. children per thousand adults
D. total population ratio
✔ Answer: B
39. Dependency ratio refers to the ratio of
A. children to adults
B. workers to non-workers
C. dependent population to working population
D. rural to urban population
✔ Answer: C
40. India became the most populous country in the
world in
A. 2011
B. 2019
C. 2021
D. 2023
✔ Answer: D
20 Short Type Questions with Answers
1. What is population?
Ans: Population refers to the total number of people living in a
particular area at a specific time.
2. Why is population called a
resource?
Ans: Because people use, develop and create resources through their
skills and knowledge.
3. What is a census?
Ans: A census is an official and periodic counting of population along
with demographic details.
4. When was the first complete
census conducted in India?
Ans: In the year 1881.
5. Define population density.
Ans: Population density is the number of persons living per square
kilometre of area.
6. What was the population
density of India in 2011?
Ans: 382 persons per square kilometre.
7. Name the most populous
state of India as per Census 2011.
Ans: Uttar Pradesh.
8. Name the least populous
state of India.
Ans: Sikkim.
9. What is population growth?
Ans: Population growth is the increase in population of a country over a
specific period.
10. What is absolute increase
in population?
Ans: It is the difference between the population of two census years.
11. What is annual growth rate
of population?
Ans: It is the rate at which population increases per year in percentage
terms.
12. Name the three main
processes of population change.
Ans:
- Birth rate
- Death rate
- Migration
13. What is birth rate?
Ans: Birth rate is the number of live births per 1000 persons in a year.
14. What is death rate?
Ans: Death rate is the number of deaths per 1000 persons in a year.
15. What is natural increase
of population?
Ans: It is the difference between birth rate and death rate.
16. What is migration?
Ans: Migration is the movement of people from one place to another for
living or work.
17. What is internal
migration?
Ans: Movement of people within a country is called internal migration.
18. What are push factors of
migration?
Ans: Poverty, unemployment and lack of facilities in rural areas.
19. Who are called
adolescents?
Ans: People belonging to the age group of 10–19 years are called
adolescents.
20. What is National
Population Policy 2000?
Ans: It is a government policy aimed at controlling population growth
and improving health, education and welfare.
15 Long Type Questions with Answers
1. Why is population an
important element in social studies?
Answer:
- Population forms the base of all economic and
social activities
- People use and develop natural resources
- Resources become meaningful only when used by
humans
- Population influences culture, economy and
environment
- Hence, population is the pivot of social
studies
2. Describe the size and
distribution of India’s population.
Answer:
- India’s population (2011): 1210.6 million
- India has about 17% of the world’s population
- Population is unevenly distributed
- Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state
- Sikkim and Lakshadweep have very small
populations
3. Explain the factors
affecting population distribution in India.
Answer:
- Relief: Plains support dense population, mountains sparse
- Climate: Moderate climate attracts population
- Soil: Fertile soils support agriculture
- Water availability: Rivers and rainfall encourage settlement
- Economic activities: Industrial and urban areas attract people
4. What is population density?
Explain its variation in India.
Answer:
- Population density = persons per sq km
- India’s density (2011): 382 persons/sq km
- Bihar has very high density
- Arunachal Pradesh has very low density
- Variation due to relief, climate and
development
5. Explain population growth
in India from 1951 to 2011.
Answer:
- Population increased from 361 million (1951)
to 1210 million (2011)
- Growth rate increased till 1981
- Decline in death rate caused rapid growth
- After 1981, growth rate declined gradually
- Still, absolute population increase remained
high
6. Distinguish between
absolute growth and growth rate of population.
Answer:
- Absolute growth: Actual number added in a period
- Growth rate: Percentage increase per year
- Absolute growth depends on base population
- Growth rate shows speed of population increase
7. Describe the processes of
population change.
Answer:
- Birth rate: Increases population
- Death rate: Reduces population
- Migration: Changes population distribution
- Natural increase = Birth rate – Death rate
- Migration affects composition and density
8. Why has the population
growth rate in India declined since 1981?
Answer:
- Decline in birth rate
- Increased awareness of family planning
- Rise in literacy level
- Improved healthcare
- Government population control measures
9. Explain the role of
migration in population change.
Answer:
- Migration shifts population from one region to
another
- Internal migration changes distribution
- Rural-urban migration increases urban
population
- Alters age and sex composition
- Helps in economic development
10. Explain rural-urban
migration in India.
Answer:
- People move from villages to cities
- Push factors: Poverty, unemployment
- Pull factors: Jobs, education, better living conditions
- Causes urban overcrowding
- Leads to growth of slums
11. Describe the adolescent
population of India.
Answer:
- Adolescents are aged 10–19 years
- They form about one-fifth of population
- Important future human resource
- Require proper nutrition and education
- Adolescent girls suffer from anaemia
12. What are the objectives of
National Population Policy 2000?
Answer:
- Population stabilisation
- Free and compulsory education up to 14 years
- Reduce infant mortality rate
- Universal immunisation
- Promote delayed marriage and family welfare
13. What is census? State its
importance.
Answer:
- Census is an official population count
- Conducted every 10 years
- Provides data on population size and
distribution
- Helps in planning and policy making
- Basis for development programmes
14. Explain the relationship
between population and environment.
Answer:
- Population uses natural resources
- High population increases pressure on
resources
- Causes pollution and deforestation
- Affects ecological balance
- Sustainable population ensures healthy
environment
15. What are the advantages of
a healthy population?
Answer:
- Higher productivity
- Economic development
- Reduced healthcare burden
- Better quality of life
- Strong national growth
10 Assertion–Reason Questions With Answers
Directions:
Choose the correct option:
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true
1. Assertion (A): Population is the pivotal element in social
studies.
Reason (R): All resources and development activities depend on human
beings.
Answer: A
2. Assertion (A): India has a very uneven distribution of
population.
Reason (R): Physical and economic factors influence population
distribution.
Answer: A
3. Assertion (A): The Northern Plains of India have high population
density.
Reason (R): They have fertile soil, flat land and adequate water supply.
Answer: A
4. Assertion (A): Arunachal Pradesh has a low population density.
Reason (R): Rugged terrain and unfavourable climate discourage
settlement.
Answer: A
5. Assertion (A): India’s population growth rate has declined since
1981.
Reason (R): Birth rates have declined due to family planning and
education.
Answer: A
6. Assertion (A): Absolute increase in population remains high
despite declining growth rate.
Reason (R): A low growth rate applied to a large population adds many
people.
Answer: A
7. Assertion (A): Migration does not change the total population of
a country.
Reason (R): Internal migration only changes the distribution of
population.
Answer: A
8. Assertion (A): Rural to urban migration has increased the urban
population of India.
Reason (R): Cities offer better employment opportunities and living
conditions.
Answer: A
9. Assertion (A): Adolescents are an important human resource for
India.
Reason (R): They form a large part of the working population at present.
Answer: C
(Adolescents are future workforce, not present working population)
10. Assertion (A): National Population Policy 2000 aims at population
stabilisation.
Reason (R): It promotes education, healthcare and family welfare
measures.
Answer: A
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