Q80. What was India’s population density per square kilometre in Census 1951?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 29 November 2025, Shift 3]
(A) 77
(B) 97
(C) 117
(D) 217
Answer: (C) 117
Explanation: The 1951 census recorded approximately 117 persons per square kilometre in India. As the population expanded over subsequent decades, the density increased to 382 in 2011, though the increase varied sharply across states and physical regions.
Q79. The Census of India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act of which year?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 24 November 2025, Shift 3]
(A) 1948
(B) 1965
(C) 1932
(D) 1954
Answer: (A) 1948
Explanation: The Census Act, 1948 provides the statutory basis for population enumeration in independent India. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner conducts the exercise under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with safeguards governing census information.
Q78. What was India’s literacy rate according to the Census of 1951?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 22 November 2025, Shift 1]
(A) 18.33%
(B) 28.33%
(C) 10.33%
(D) 9.33%
Answer: (A) 18.33%
Explanation: Only about 18.33% of the population was literate in the 1951 census, highlighting the low educational base inherited at independence. Subsequently, literacy grew considerably, reaching about 74.04% by Census 2011 under revised age-group comparisons.
Q77. Which religious community formed India’s second-largest population group according to Census 2011?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 21 November 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Christian
(B) Sikh
(C) Muslim
(D) Buddhist
Answer: (C) Muslim
Explanation: Muslims were the second-largest religious community, comprising approximately 14.2% of India’s population in 2011. Hindus constituted the largest group. Census religion tables describe population composition and should be distinguished from language or caste classifications.
Q76. Which listed state had a population exceeding 100 million according to Census 2011?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 18 November 2025, Shift 3]
(A) West Bengal
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Bihar
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (C) Bihar
Explanation: Bihar had approximately 104 million residents in 2011, exceeding the 100-million threshold. West Bengal had about 91 million, while Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had smaller populations. Bihar ranked third nationally after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Q75. What was India’s overall sex ratio in the Census of 2001?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 18 November 2025, Shift 1]
(A) 933
(B) 912
(C) 920
(D) 981
Answer: (A) 933
Explanation: India recorded 933 females per 1,000 males in Census 2001. The equivalent final 2011 figure rose to 943, demonstrating an improvement in the overall ratio, though several states and child-age groups remained markedly imbalanced.
Q74. Consider the statements:
I. India’s population pyramid is broad at its base and top but narrow in the middle.
II. India has a large young population because of high past birth rates and declining mortality.
Which is correct?
[SSC CGL, 24 September 2025, Shift 1]
(A) Both I and II are correct, and II explains I
(B) Both I and II are correct, but II does not explain I
(C) I is correct, but II is incorrect
(D) I is incorrect, but II is correct
Answer: (D) I is incorrect, but II is correct
Explanation: India’s age pyramid has historically had a relatively broad base, but it does not simultaneously have a broad elderly top and narrow middle. A youthful age structure reflects decades of high births and improved survival.
Q73. Approximately what share of India’s population lived in urban areas according to Census 2011?
[SSC CGL, 16 September 2025, Shift 3]
(A) 24%
(B) 31%
(C) 36%
(D) 41%
Answer: (B) 31%
Explanation: Census 2011 placed approximately 31.16% of Indians in urban settlements, commonly rounded to 31%. The corresponding rural share was about 68.84%. Urbanisation rose from its 2001 level as towns grew and settlements were reclassified.
Q72. What is meant by population density?
[SSC CGL, 12 September 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Population per household
(B) People per square kilometre
(C) People per region
(D) People per district
Answer: (B) People per square kilometre
Explanation: Population density relates the number of inhabitants to the land area occupied, normally expressed as persons per square kilometre. This standardised indicator makes it possible to compare settlement concentration across administrative areas of different geographical sizes.
Q71. What decision about the forthcoming decennial census did the Union government announce on 30 April 2025?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I, 3 September 2025, Shift 3]
(A) Conduct a completely digital-only census
(B) Postpone the census indefinitely
(C) Include caste enumeration in the next census
(D) Eliminate caste data collection
Answer: (C) Include caste enumeration in the next census
Explanation: The government announced that caste enumeration would be incorporated into the next national population census. This policy decision concerned the scope of data collection and was separate from the earlier Socio-Economic and Caste Census conducted in 2011.
