Population — Important Questions

Arunachal Pradesh

Step 1: Population density refers to the number of persons per square kilometre. Step 2: The chapter provides a ranking of states and union territories by density. Step 3: Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest density among all states at just 17 persons per sq. km. Step 4: Sikkim has 86, Mizoram has 52, and Jammu & Kashmir has 124 persons per sq. km. – all higher than Arunachal Pradesh. Step 5: Arunachal Pradesh is a hilly, forested state in the North-East with a very sparse population – hence it has the lowest density.

NCT of Delhi

Step 1: Among union territories, density is very high because UTs are small in area but have large populations. Step 2: The chapter clearly states that Delhi is the most thickly populated with 11,297 persons per sq. km. Step 3: Chandigarh has 9,252 persons per sq. km – second highest. Puducherry has 2,598 persons per sq. km. Lakshadweep has 2,013 persons per sq. km. Step 4: Delhi's extremely high density is due to its status as the national capital – it attracts migrants from all over India and has massive urbanisation. Step 5: NCT of Delhi, with 11,297 persons per sq. km., has the highest den

India recorded a negative growth rate of population for the only time

Step 1: The term 'Great Demographic Divide' refers to a turning point in India's population history. Step 2: In the 1921 census, India recorded a slight decline in population of -0.03% (or -0.31% in absolute numbers), making it the only time India recorded a negative growth rate. Step 3: This happened due to large-scale deaths from fatal diseases – influenza alone claimed about 12 million lives in 1918. World War I (1914-18) also led to loss of many soldiers' lives. Step 4: Since 1921, India's population has been increasing consistently. Option A is factually incorrect. Option C confuses with

Total Population ÷ Total Area

Step 1: The chapter defines three types of population density. Step 2: Arithmetical Density is the simplest and most commonly used formula. It is calculated as Total Population ÷ Total Area. Step 3: Physiological Density = Total Population ÷ Net Cultivated Area. This reflects the pressure of total population on cultivated land. Step 4: Agricultural Density = Total Agricultural Population ÷ Net Cultivable Area. This is more specific to farming communities. Step 5: The formula 'Total Population ÷ Total Area' is the standard arithmetical density formula used in census data and general geographic