Q10. Arrange these states in descending order of Census 2011 population:
1. West Bengal;
2. Bihar;
3. Maharashtra;
4. Andhra Pradesh.
[UPSC NDA (General Ability Test), 18 September 2016]
(A) 2, 3, 1, 4
(B) 3, 2, 1, 4
(C) 1, 4, 3, 2
(D) 3, 1, 4, 2
Answer: (B) 3, 2, 1, 4
Explanation: Maharashtra had the largest population of these four, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and undivided Andhra Pradesh. Matching those rankings to the coded list gives 3, 2, 1, 4, with historical state boundaries essential to the answer.
Q9. The latest population census of India had been conducted in which year?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2013]
(A) 2011
(B) 1991
(C) 2005
(D) 2001
Answer: (A) 2011
Explanation: For the 2013 examination, Census 2011 was the latest completed national enumeration. India traditionally conducted censuses at ten-year intervals, and the 2011 results became the main reference for state populations, literacy, sex ratios and settlement geography.
Q8. According to Census 2001, which state recorded the lowest literacy rate?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2012]
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Bihar
(D) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (C) Bihar
Explanation: Bihar had the lowest literacy rate among Indian states in Census 2001, around 47%. The question specifically concerns the 2001 ranking and should not be answered using subsequent 2011 improvements or more recent education estimates.
Q7. What was India’s sex ratio according to Census 2001?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2012]
(A) 933
(B) 927
(C) 898
(D) 800
Answer: (A) 933
Explanation: Census 2001 reported 933 females for every 1,000 males nationally, an improvement over the 1991 figure of 927. Sex ratio is an important demographic indicator, but it does not describe child-specific ratios unless that age group is explicitly mentioned.
Q6. What was India’s overall sex ratio according to Census 2001?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2011]
(A) 875
(B) 975
(C) 950
(D) 933
Answer: (D) 933
Explanation: India’s 2001 census recorded 933 females per 1,000 males. The national ratio had improved from 927 in 1991, but remained below parity. The 2011 census later showed a further rise to 943 in the final figures.
Q5. Which of the following states had the highest population density according to Census 2001?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2010]
(A) West Bengal
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Bihar
Answer: (A) West Bengal
Explanation: West Bengal ranked first among Indian states in Census 2001 population density, at approximately 903 people per square kilometre. Bihar overtook it in 2011, so the correct answer depends on the census year stated in the question.
Q4. Which of the following states had the highest population density in Census 2001?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2009]
(A) Kerala
(B) West Bengal
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (B) West Bengal
Explanation: Among the listed states, West Bengal had the highest 2001 density, about 903 persons per square kilometre. Kerala was also densely populated, but its approximately 819 persons per square kilometre placed it below West Bengal in that census.
Q3. What was India’s overall sex ratio according to Census 2001?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2004]
(A) 893
(B) 904
(C) 922
(D) 933
Answer: (D) 933
Explanation: The 2001 census reported a national sex ratio of 933 females per 1,000 males. It was calculated for the entire enumerated population rather than children alone, and represented an improvement from 927 in the 1991 enumeration.
Q2. Which of the following states had the highest population density according to Census 2001?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2003]
(A) Kerala
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) West Bengal
Answer: (D) West Bengal
Explanation: West Bengal led the listed states in population density in 2001, with approximately 903 persons per square kilometre. Kerala had around 819 and Uttar Pradesh around 690. The ranking is time-specific: Bihar became the densest state by Census 2011.
Q1. What was the approximate average annual growth rate of India’s population during 1990–1999?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 2002]
(A) 2.5%
(B) 2.2%
(C) 2.0%
(D) 1.8%
Answer: (C) 2.0%
Explanation: India’s annual population increase in the 1990s was approximately 1.9–2.0%, making 2.0% the closest listed answer. An annual growth rate should not be confused with the cumulative change over an entire ten-year census interval.
