UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 40: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements :
- 1.Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
- 2.Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Both statements are wrong. India's density rose from about 117 persons per sq km in 1951 to about 325 in 2001, a rise of roughly 2.8 times, not more than three. The annual exponential growth rate went from roughly 1.3 per cent (1941-51) to roughly 2 per cent in the 1990s, a rise of about half, not a doubling; the 1950s decade was already close to 2 per cent.
- 1. Density rose from about 117 to 325 per sq km, less than three times.
- 2. The growth rate rose by about half, not double.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Density rose from about 117 to 325 per sq km, less than three times.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: The growth rate rose by about half, not double.
Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: density rose by less than three times.
- (b) Wrong: the growth rate did not double.
- (c) Wrong: neither statement holds.
- (d) Right: density rose about 2.8 times and the growth rate did not double.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.