RAS question
According to Census 2011, what was the approximate urban population percentage of Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (B) 24.9%.
According to Census 2011, Rajasthan's urban population was approximately 24.9% of its total population.
Explanation
Census 2011 places Rajasthan's urban population at 24.9% of the state's total population. The Rajasthan Foundation's demography table lists the metric as "Urban Population to total population", with percentage as the unit, 2011 as the reference year, 24.9 for Rajasthan and 31.16 for India. That makes option B the only value that matches the official Census-based figure. The number also indicates Rajasthan's urban share rose from 23.39% in 2001 but remained below the all-India 2011 figure of 31.16%, showing comparatively slower urbanisation in the state.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 19.9% is not the 2011 value; it is Rajasthan's urban population share in the 2001 census.
- (C) 30.5% overstates Rajasthan's 2011 urbanisation, because the official Census-based table gives Rajasthan's figure as 24.9%.
- (D) 27.3% is close enough to be tempting, but it does not match the Rajasthan 2011 Census figure of 24.9% and is a common confusion with other averages.
Concept
This tests Census-based settlement geography: the share of urban population in Rajasthan and how it compares with the national pattern. RAS repeatedly asks such demographic indicators because they connect Rajasthan's population structure with planning, regional development and urbanisation trends.