Test - The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society - 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The first census in India took place in 1872. It was conducted by the British colonial administration to gather demographic data and administer their rule more effectively. The census aimed to collect information on population size, religion, caste, occupation, and socio-economic factors. It has since been conducted regularly every ten years and has played a crucial role in monitoring population growth and informing developmental plans and policies in India.

The year 1921 is referred to as the 'Demographic divide' in India because it marked a significant shift in population trends and demographics in the country. 1921 census shows negative growth rate due to increase in death rate because of influenza epidemic of 1918 - 19.

The decades 1951-1981 are referred to as the period of population explosion in India, which was caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but a high fertility rate of population in the country.

Kerala has the highest sex ratio of 1084 in all Indian states. Puducherry has the second-highest sex ratio of 1038 in Indian states.

Haryana has the lowest sex ratio (877) in Indian states while in union territory Daman Diu has lowest sex ratio of 618.

15 - 64 range is usaually known as WAP (Working Age Population) that allows demographic dividend.
The demographic dividend refers to a period when the working-age population (15-64 years) is larger in proportion to the dependent population (children and elderly), creating a favorable demographic structure for economic growth and development. During this stage, a country can potentially harness the economic benefits of a youthful and productive workforce.

All above factors combined forms the features of Indian demography.

Malthus' most famous work was his Essay on the Principle of Population, first published in 1798 and enlarged in later editions. This work contained his famous argument that human populations tend to grow faster than agricultural output, resulting in famines or crises.

In his 1798 work, An Essay on the Principle of Population, Malthus examined the relationship between population growth and resources. From this, he developed the Malthusian theory of population growth in which he wrote that population growth occurs exponentially in geometric progression, so it increases according to birth rate.

Positive checks on population growth refer to factors that naturally regulate population growth by increasing mortality rates or decreasing fertility rates. Warfares, famines, earthquakes, floods, diseases etc are all examples of positive checks.

Natural Change and Net Migration are the two factors that affect population change for a particular area.

Natural Change: This factor refers to the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths in a population.

Net Migration: Net migration is the difference between the number of people immigrating to an area and the number of people emigrating from that area. Positive net migration occurs when more people are moving into an area than leaving it, leading to population growth. Negative net migration occurs when more people are leaving an area than arriving, resulting in population decline.

India has 1.2 billion population which is around 17% of total popuulation of world i.e 6 billion.

Colonialism is defined as “control by one power over a dependent area or people.” It occurs when one nation subjugates another, conquering its population and exploiting it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon its people.

As per malthus population grows geometrically whereas food grains grow arithmetically.

He advocated ethical means to control Population like self control, marriages etc.

 In first stage we witness high birth rate and high death rates so differential growth rate is low.
Last stage has low death rate and low birth rate so difference is again low but at a higher stage of social and economic development.

(i) In the second stage of demographic transition, death rates decline.

This statement is correct. The second stage of the demographic transition is characterized by declining death rates. During this stage, improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition lead to lower mortality rates, particularly among infants and young children. As a result, the overall death rate in the population decreases.

(ii) The difference between birth rate and death rate decreases.

This statement is not true. The second stage is marked by a decline in death rates, but birth rates can remain high or may start to decline gradually. Consequently, the difference between birth rates and death rates can either remain relatively high or decrease, depending on the specific conditions in a given population.

In third five year plan (1661 - 66) family planning was adopted as a measure to stabilise the population growth.

Full-fledged family planning department was created in 1966.
India is the first country in the world to launch such a programme. A separate department of Family Planning was created in 1966 under the ministry of health.