RAS question
Which city is Rajasthan's largest by population (Census 2011)?
Correct answer: (B) Jaipur.
Jaipur was Rajasthan's largest city by population in Census 2011, with a population of 30.46 lakh.
Explanation
For Census 2011, the relevant comparison is among Rajasthan's cities and urban agglomerations with population of 1 lakh or more. The Government of Rajasthan's Economic Review 2024-25 records Jaipur at 30.46 lakh and describes it as the largest city in the state by population size. Jodhpur ranked next at 11.38 lakh, followed by Kota at 10.02 lakh, so Jaipur was not just marginally ahead but far larger than the other major urban centres. Jaipur's population is often rounded to about 30.7 lakh; the official figure is 30.46 lakh, supporting Jaipur as the correct answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jodhpur is wrong because Rajasthan's Economic Review 2024-25 places it after Jaipur, with 11.38 lakh population against Jaipur's 30.46 lakh.
- (C) Udaipur is wrong because it ranked below Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota, while Jaipur was Rajasthan's largest city by population.
- (D) Kota is wrong because Rajasthan's Economic Review 2024-25 lists it after Jaipur and Jodhpur, with 10.02 lakh population.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan urban geography through Census 2011 population ranking of major cities and urban agglomerations. It recurs in RAS because city-size hierarchy links census facts with urbanisation, district planning and state economy questions.