RAS question
Which state has the highest population density as per Census 2011?
Correct answer: (D) Bihar.
Bihar had the highest population density among Indian states in Census 2011, at 1106 persons per square kilometre.
Explanation
Population density means the number of persons per square kilometre of area. The verified Census 2011 density annexure ranks all States and Union Territories together; although Union Territories such as the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Chandigarh appear above it, Bihar is the highest among states. Its density is listed as 1106 persons per square kilometre, ahead of West Bengal at 1028, Kerala at 860 and Uttar Pradesh at 829. This is why the answer is Bihar, not the state with the largest total population. Census 2011 gives the India average as 382 and Arunachal Pradesh as the lowest among the listed states at 17 persons per square kilometre.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Uttar Pradesh had the largest total population in Census 2011, but its density was 829 persons per square kilometre, below Bihar's 1106.
- (B) West Bengal was very dense at 1028 persons per square kilometre, but Census 2011 placed Bihar higher at 1106.
- (C) Kerala's density was 860 persons per square kilometre, which is below both West Bengal and Bihar in the Census 2011 ranking.
Concept
This tests Census-based population density, a core Indian geography concept where aspirants must separate absolute population from population per unit area. It recurs in RAS because demographic rankings are often framed through close state-level comparisons.