30. Which state had the lowest population density of approximately 17 persons per square kilometre in Census 2011?
[SSC CGL 2021 Paper, held 18 Apr 2022 Shift 3]
A. Assam
B. Nagaland
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Sikkim
Answer: C. Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh was India’s least densely populated state, recording 17 persons per square kilometre in 2011. Its extensive mountainous landscape and comparatively small population help explain the very low population-to-land-area ratio.
29. Which of these was the least urbanised state in Census 2011?
[UPPSC RO/ARO Preliminary Examination, 5 Dec 2021]
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. Odisha
D. Rajasthan
Answer: A. Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh had the lowest urban population share among Indian states. Settlement patterns are predominantly rural, partly because of mountainous geography. A low urban percentage does not necessarily imply a low literacy rate.
28. Which was the least populous Indian state as per Census 2011?
[SSC GD Constable, 24 Nov 2021 Shift 2]
A. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Sikkim
C. Mizoram
D. Goa
Answer: B. Sikkim
Explanation: Sikkim had approximately 610,000 residents, the smallest population among states. Lakshadweep had fewer inhabitants overall, but as a Union Territory it falls outside a comparison limited to Indian states.
27. Which Rajasthan district ranked second in percentage share of Scheduled Tribe population in Census 2011?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination, 27 Oct 2021 Shift 1]
A. Banswara
B. Pratapgarh
C. Dungarpur
D. Dausa
Answer: C. Dungarpur
Explanation: Dungarpur ranked second in the percentage share of Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan, after Banswara, in the comparison tested. District percentages are not the same as absolute ST headcounts, which also depend on total district population.
26. Which state had the largest total population according to Census 2011?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination, 24 Oct 2021 Shift 1]
A. Bihar
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Maharashtra
D. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: D. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh was India’s most populous state in 2011, accounting for nearly 200 million residents. Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal followed it. The state’s national population rank also affects the scale of its rural population.
25. Which state had the lowest population density in Census 2011?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination, 24 Oct 2021 Shift 1]
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. West Bengal
D. Mizoram
Answer: B. Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh had only 17 residents per square kilometre in the 2011 census, the lowest state density in India. Mizoram was also sparsely populated but its density was above Arunachal Pradesh’s figure.
24. Which state ranked third in population in the Census 2011 state ranking?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 5 Apr 2021 Shift 1]
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. West Bengal
D. Maharashtra
Answer: B. Bihar
Explanation: Bihar ranked third in total population after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. West Bengal was fourth. Although Bihar was only third in population, its relatively small area made it India’s densest state.
23. Who is counted as literate in the Census of India?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 23 Feb 2021 Shift 1]
A. A person aged seven or more who can read and write with understanding in any language
B. A person aged five or more who knows an Eighth Schedule language
C. A person aged seven or more who can perform elementary arithmetic
D. A person able to write their name and address
Answer: A. A person aged seven or more who can read and write with understanding in any language
Explanation: Census literacy requires both reading and writing with understanding and an age of at least seven years. Knowledge of a particular constitutional language, numerical ability alone or merely writing a signature does not satisfy this definition.
22. Which of the following is NOT a major category of workers in the Census 2011 classification?
[UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants, General Ability, 20 Dec 2020]
A. Cultivators
B. Domestic workers
C. Household industry workers
D. Agricultural labourers
Answer: B. Domestic workers
Explanation: Census 2011 groups workers into cultivators, agricultural labourers, household industry workers and other workers. Domestic work is not one of those four broad categories, although such activity may fall within other employment classifications.
21. Which state had the smallest population in Census 2011 among these?
[UPSC National Defence Academy II, General Ability, 6 Sep 2020]
A. Maharashtra
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. Punjab
Answer: D. Punjab
Explanation: Punjab had fewer residents than Odisha, Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra in the 2011 Census. The question asks for the minimum among four named states, not for India’s least populous state overall, which was Sikkim.
