Q60. Malthus argued that population grows in a _____ progression, whereas food supply grows in a _____ progression.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2024, GS Paper I, Q94]
(A) Linear, exponential
(B) Exponential, linear
(C) Arithmetic, geometric
(D) Geometric, arithmetic
Answer: (D) Geometric, arithmetic
Explanation: Thomas Malthus proposed that population tends to increase geometrically while food production increases arithmetically. The contrasting growth paths formed the basis of his concern about population pressure, although technological progress later complicated the theory’s predictions.
Q59. Arrange the following states in descending order of 2011 Census population:
1. Bihar;
2. Andhra Pradesh;
3. Uttar Pradesh;
4. West Bengal.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2024, GS Paper I, Q5]
(A) 3, 4, 1, 2
(B) 1, 3, 2, 4
(C) 1, 3, 4, 2
(D) 3, 1, 4, 2
Answer: (D) 3, 1, 4, 2
Explanation: In 2011 Uttar Pradesh had the largest population among the four states, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and undivided Andhra Pradesh. The correct coded sequence is therefore 3, 1, 4, 2; the question uses pre-bifurcation Andhra Pradesh.
Q58. According to Census 2011, arrange these Madhya Pradesh districts in descending order of population density.
[MPPSC Assistant Professor (GS Paper II), 17 November 2024]
(A) Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior
(B) Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior
(C) Jabalpur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore
(D) Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal
Answer: (B) Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior
Explanation: Bhopal district had the highest population density among the four, followed by Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior in the 2011 Census. The ordering is based on residents per square kilometre rather than total population or geographical size.
Q57. Which state recorded the lowest child sex ratio according to Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 13 November 2024, Shift 3]
(A) Punjab
(B) Haryana
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (B) Haryana
Explanation: Haryana recorded the lowest state child sex ratio, approximately 834 girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6 in Census 2011. Child sex ratio measures the youngest population rather than the full population, and it highlights important gender disparities.
Q56. Which of the listed states was the least urbanised according to Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 5 November 2024, Shift 3]
(A) Chhattisgarh
(B) Bihar
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: (D) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh had only about one-tenth of its population living in urban settlements in 2011, less than the other listed states. Mountainous terrain and scattered villages contribute to its predominantly rural settlement pattern.
Q55. Which Indian state had the highest percentage of urban population in Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 4 November 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Kerala
(C) Mizoram
(D) Goa
Answer: (D) Goa
Explanation: Goa had the highest urban share among Indian states in 2011, at roughly 62%. This percentage-based measure differs from the absolute number of city residents, for which more populous states may be larger.
Q54. Which state had the highest child sex ratio for ages 0–6 according to Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 29 October 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Kerala
(C) Mizoram
(D) Chhattisgarh
Answer: (C) Mizoram
Explanation: Mizoram recorded the highest state child sex ratio, around 971 girls per thousand boys in the 0–6 age group. This differs from the overall sex-ratio ranking, in which Kerala led among states.
Q53. What was India’s average annual population growth rate around Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 22 October 2024, Shift 1]
(A) 1.97%
(B) 2.16%
(C) 2.22%
(D) 1.64%
Answer: (D) 1.64%
Explanation: The average annual exponential growth rate for 2001–2011 was approximately 1.64%. This is not the ten-year cumulative growth rate, which was about 17.6%; the two percentages measure change across different time intervals.
Q52. In the Census definition, a marginal worker works for fewer than how many days in a year?
[SSC MTS, 21 October 2024, Shift 1]
(A) 180
(B) 173
(C) 170
(D) 183
Answer: (D) 183
Explanation: The Census treats workers engaged for less than six months, equivalent to fewer than 183 days in the reference year, as marginal workers. Those working for six months or more are classified as main workers.
Q51. Which Union Territory had the second-highest percentage of urban population according to Census 2011?
[SSC MTS, 17 October 2024, Shift 2]
(A) Delhi
(B) Puducherry
(C) Chandigarh
(D) Daman and Diu
Answer: (C) Chandigarh
Explanation: Chandigarh ranked just below Delhi in urban share, with roughly 97.25% of its residents counted as urban in 2011. Urban proportion and urban population density are separate indicators, despite both being high in major city territories.
