Population and Associated Issues — Practice Questions
UPSC-pattern practice questions on population: Census 2011 and NFHS-5 data, demographic concepts, National Population Policy 2000 and Mains frameworks.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
With reference to the National Population Policy, 2000, consider the following statements:
- Its medium-term objective was to bring the total fertility rate to replacement level by 2010.
- Its long-term objective was to achieve a stable population by 2045.
- It made a two-child norm mandatory for all public employment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statements 1 and 2 are the medium-term and long-term objectives of NPP 2000 (the immediate objective was meeting the unmet need for contraception and health infrastructure). Statement 3 is incorrect — NPP 2000 stressed voluntary, informed choice; two-child norms exist only in certain State laws, for example for panchayat candidates (upheld in Javed v. State of Haryana, 2003).
Answer: A
Consider the following statements about Census 2011:
- The population density of India was more than 400 persons per sq km.
- The decadal growth rate of 2001–2011 was lower than that of 1991–2001.
- Uttar Pradesh was the most populous State.
- The overall sex ratio was above 950 females per 1,000 males.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Solution
- Statement 1 — incorrect: density was 382.
- Statement 2 — correct: 17.7% against 21.5%.
- Statement 3 — correct: Uttar Pradesh, about 16.5% of India’s population.
- Statement 4 — incorrect: the sex ratio was 943.
Two statements are correct.
Answer: B
The phenomenon in which a population continues to grow for several decades even after its total fertility rate has fallen to replacement level is known as
Solution
Population momentum — a young age structure means a large number of people are in or entering reproductive ages, so births exceed deaths for some time.
- Demographic dividend: growth potential from a high working-age share.
- Demographic transition: the long shift from high to low birth and death rates.
- Population explosion: rapid growth when mortality falls but fertility stays high (India, 1951–81).
Answer: C
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21), which one of the following States recorded the highest total fertility rate?
Solution
Bihar, at about 3.0. Meghalaya was a close second; Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Manipur were the other States above replacement level. Sikkim recorded the lowest TFR (about 1.1).
Answer: D
Mains
India is ageing before it becomes rich. Discuss the social and economic implications of population ageing in India.
Solution
Introduction: Census 2011 counted 10.4 crore elderly (8.6%); UNFPA’s India Ageing Report 2023 projects the share to cross 20% by 2050 — at incomes far lower than those of countries that aged earlier.
Body:
- Social: feminisation of ageing (many elderly widows); weakening joint family and out-migration of the young; loneliness and elder abuse.
- Economic: most workers are informal and lack pensions; rising old-age dependency; health costs of chronic disease; fiscal pressure on States that are ageing first (Kerala, Tamil Nadu).
- Regional: southern States age earlier than north-central States, affecting migration and fiscal transfers.
- Responses: Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007; NSAP pensions; Ayushman Bharat; Atal Pension Yojana; geriatric care and a care economy.
Conclusion: Ageing is a success of longer lives, but India must build pensions, health and care systems now, while its working-age population is still large.
Internal migration in India is both a livelihood strategy and a source of vulnerability. Examine, and suggest measures to protect migrant workers.
Solution
Introduction: Census 2011 recorded 45.6 crore migrants by place of last residence (about 37% of the population). Marriage dominates female migration; work dominates male migration.
Body:
- Livelihood strategy: remittances support rural households; migration fills labour demand in construction, manufacturing and services; it reduces pressure on land.
- Vulnerability: informal, seasonal and circular work; poor housing and sanitation in cities; lack of portable entitlements; exclusion from local welfare and voting; the 2020 lockdown exodus showed these gaps.
- Social effects: feminisation of agriculture in source areas; children’s schooling disrupted; identity tensions and “sons of the soil” sentiment in destination areas.
- Measures: One Nation One Ration Card portability; registration on e-Shram; affordable rental housing; portable health cover; inter-State coordination; enforcement of labour protections.
Conclusion: Migration is development in motion. Making entitlements portable and cities inclusive turns it from a coping strategy into a ladder of mobility.