CORE Key Points at a Glance

  1. 1

    Census 2011 Population and World Rank

    • India's population: 1,21,08,54,977 (121 crore / 1.21 billion)
    • World's 2nd most populous at that time, after China
    • By 2023, India surpassed China → world's most populous country (~144 crore, UN estimates)
  2. 2

    Decadal Growth Rate 2001–2011

    • Growth rate: 17.64% (2001–2011) — declining from 21.54% (1991–2001)
    • Absolute population added: 181 million in 2001–2011
    • This was the largest ever decadal increment (directly tested in PYQ 2023)
  3. 3

    Population Density 2011

    • Overall density: 382 persons per sq km — up from 324 (2001)
    • Lowest: Arunachal Pradesh (17/sq km)
    • Highest state: Bihar (1,106/sq km)
    • Highest UT: Delhi (11,320/sq km)
  4. 4

    Sex Ratio 2011

    • National sex ratio: 943 females per 1,000 males — improved from 933 (2001)
    • Best: Kerala (1,084 F per 1,000 M); Worst: Haryana (879 F/1,000 M)
    • Child sex ratio (0–6 years): 919 girls per 1,000 boys — alarming decline from 927 in 2001
  5. 5

    Literacy Rate 2011

    • National rate: 74.04% — male: 82.14%, female: 65.46%
    • Improved from 64.84% (2001); gender gap: 16.68 percentage points
    • Kerala highest (94.0%); Bihar lowest (63.82%)
  6. 6

    Four Phases of Population Growth

    • Phase I — Stagnant (1901–1921): high birth + high death rate; 1921 = "Year of the Great Divide"
    • Phase II — Steady increase (1921–1951)
    • Phase III — Rapid/Explosive growth (1951–1981)
    • Phase IV — High but declining growth (1981–2011)
  7. 7

    Most and Least Populous States (2011)

    • Most populous state: Uttar Pradesh (199.8 million — 16.5% of India's population)
    • Least populous state: Sikkim (610,577)
    • Least populous UT: Lakshadweep (64,429); Most populous UT: Delhi (16.8 million)
  8. 8

    Population Distribution Pattern

    • Northern Plains and Peninsular Coasts are most densely populated (>300 persons/sq km)
    • Himalayas, Western Rajasthan, and northeast hilly states are sparsely populated (<50 persons/sq km)
    • Distribution is highly uneven, driven by physiography, agriculture, and urban employment
  9. 9

    Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

    • TFR in 2011: 2.4 children per woman — declined to 2.0 (NFHS-5, 2019–21)
    • Now below the replacement level of 2.1
    • Indicates India is approaching demographic stabilisation
  10. 10

    Urbanisation (2011)

    • Urban population: 37.7 crore (31.16% of total) — up from 28.6 crore (2001)
    • India has 7,935 cities/towns; Mumbai UA (~18.4 million) is the largest city
    • Urban population share expected to reach 50% by 2050
  11. 11

    Dependency Ratio and Demographic Dividend

    • ~52% in working age group (15–64 years); 31% below 15; 5% above 65 (2011)
    • Creates a demographic dividend opportunity
    • Must be harnessed through education and employment
  12. 12

    Census 2021 Status

    • Census 2021 was delayed due to COVID-19; not yet completed as of 2026 exam context
    • All official India population data refers to Census 2011 figures
    • NFHS-5 (2019–21) provides some updated indicators

PREDICTED Predicted RAS Questions

Based on PYQ trends and 2026 syllabus analysis

1 5M Explain the phase of "high population growth with declining trend" in India (1981–2011). (PYQ 2023 style) 5 marks · 50 words

Model Answer

During 1981–2011, India's population growth rate declined decade by decade (23.79% → 21.54% → 17.64%) due to rising female literacy, improved contraceptive access, and government family planning. Yet absolute additions remained massive (~18 crore per decade) because demographic momentum — the large young cohort entering reproductive age — kept absolute growth high. This paradox: falling rate but large numbers = "high growth with declining trend" — a characteristic of Phase IV of India's demographic transition.

~50 words • 5 marks