UPSC Mains 2026 · GS I · Q19 · 15 marks · 250 words

Critically examine the challenges of demographic transition in contemporary India.

हिन्दी में

समकालीन भारत में जनसांख्यिकीय संक्रमण की चुनौतियों का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The pace of demographic transition varies across different states of India making population growth a double-edged sword. Comment.”

RuhaniAIR 5 · CSE 2023 · 133 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The pace of demographic transition is the fastest in Southern States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu.

Whereas, transition is slowest in states like Bihar and UP where total fertility rate is still high.

This makes demographic transition a double-edged sword as it has both pros and cons.

FAST DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION PROS

Body · points and prose

-> less children (less dependants) -> more workforce (more skilling, higher incomes)

CONS -> increased elderly people -> less working class -> more burden on state for pensions -> geriatric care facilities to be provided

SLOW DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION PROS -> less elderly population (less pension pressure on government)

CONS -> less working age population (less skills, less income) -> More children (more creches needed)

Close · a way forward

Thus, different strategies need to be adopted by different states for a smooth demographic transition.

5 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Q19. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.