UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 3: Economy and Social Development
Consider the decadal Census data given below: Decadal Population (in millions) Population 1961 10.7 1971 14.3 1981 16.2 1991 18.9 The above data refer to which one of the ‘Population by Religion’ groups?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The series fits Christians: about 10.7 million in 1961 rising to about 19 million in 1991. Sikhs grew from roughly 8 million to 16 million, Buddhists from about 3 million to 6 million, and Jains stayed at only a few million, so none of them matches. Remember the order of size of the religious groups in the 1991 Census: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Sikhs were about 8 million in 1961 and about 16 million in 1991, far above this series.
- (b) Jains numbered only two to three million over these decades.
- (c) Right: Christians grew from about 10.7 million to about 19 million.
- (d) Buddhists were about 3 million in 1961 and about 6 million in 1991.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.