Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Contemporary India - I

Q1. What are the main causes of rapid population growth in India? Explain any three. (CBSE 2010)

Ans: India's population has experienced significant growth due to various factors:

• High Birth Rates:
  • Historically, India has maintained high fertility rates.
  • This has been a major contributor to the overall population increase.
• Declining Death Rates:
  • Improvements in medical facilities and public health have led to a decline in death rates.
  • Factors such as lower infant mortality and improved nutrition have also played a role.
  • The significant difference between birth and death rates has resulted in natural population growth.
• Migration:
  • Migration involves the movement of people, either within the country or internationally.
  • Internal migration affects population distribution rather than overall size.
  • In India, there is considerable rural-to-urban migration due to poverty and unemployment in rural areas.

Q2. Describe three methods to show how the population of a nation can be planned.

Ans: Methods to show how the population of a nation can be planned are as follows:

1. Managing Birth and Death Rates

• Utilise Medical Advancements: Use medical progress to reduce death rates.
• Focus on Birth Rate Reduction: Manage birth rates to ease resource strain and socio-economic issues.

2. National Policies and Programs

• Implement Family Planning Initiatives: Promote effective family planning through national policies.
• Adopt Population Control Policies: Create strategies to manage population growth.

3.  Promoting Social Changes

• Encourage Delayed Marriage: Advocate for postponing marriage and childbirth to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
• Legal Measures: Strengthen laws to prevent child marriages and support population control.

Q3. What is the importance of family planning? Discuss how it can help the country.

Ans: Family planning is a vital strategy for managing population growth, first introduced by the Government of India in 1952 to enhance individual health and welfare.

• The key goals of family planning include: Reducing the birth rate by promoting the idea of a small family size. Providing essential supplies and services for birth control.
• In a country like India, with its high population density, family planning is crucial for: Controlling population growth. Reducing pressure on limited natural resources.
• The family welfare programme encourages responsible and voluntary family planning, allowing families to: Ensure better education and healthcare for their children. Improve overall nutrition, living standards, and health.
• By adopting family planning, the government can alleviate issues such as: Poverty, Unemployment, Malnutrition, Shortages of essential resources like food, water, and housing.

Q4. Define the terms, age structure, death rate and birth rate. (V. Important)

Ans: Age Structure: The age structure of a population refers to how people are grouped by age. It includes:

• Child population: Ages 0–14 years.
• Working population: Ages 15–59 years.
• Aged population: Ages 60 years and above.

An age structure diagram, known as an age-sex pyramid, visually represents these age groups using back-to-back bar graphs.

Death Rate: The death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.

Birth Rate: The birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Both the birth rate and death rate are crucial for understanding population growth, as their difference indicates the natural increase in a country's population.

Q5. What are the main features of the National Population Policy 2000 ?

Ans: The National Population Policy 2000 in India aims to improve the population's quality through several strategic initiatives:

• Policy Objectives:
  • Reducing Infant Mortality Rate: Target to lower the rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.
  • Universal Immunisation: Aim for complete immunisation of children against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Education for All: Provide free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years.
  • Promoting Social Change: Encourage delayed marriage and childbearing among girls.
  • Community-Centric Approach: Shift family welfare to a people-centred programme, enhancing public participation.

Focus Areas: Adolescent Health: Focus on nutrition and sexual health protection for adolescents to ensure their future well-being.

Q6. Write a note on the adolescent population of India. (Important) 
OR 
Give one health problem which is common among adolescent girls. Explain the needs of adolescents which the National Population Policy 2000 focuses on.

Ans: The adolescent population in India is significant, making up one-fifth of the total population. This group, aged between 10 to 19 years, is crucial for the nation's future development.

Adolescents have higher nutritional needs than both children and adults. However, many face dietary deficiencies, leading to issues like anaemia, especially among girls. Improving literacy and education for adolescent girls is essential to address their health and nutritional needs effectively.

The National Population Policy 2000 focuses on several key needs of adolescents:

• Providing free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years.
• Reducing the infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.
• Achieving universal immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Promoting delayed marriage for girls to support their health.

Q7. Why is the study of age composition of population important? Write a brief note.

Ans: The age composition of a population refers to how people are distributed across various age groups. This characteristic is vital for understanding social and economic dynamics.

• Economic Impact: Age influences an individual's role as a consumer and producer, making it essential for economic analysis.
• Policy Development: Understanding age composition helps in creating effective policies for social welfare, healthcare, and education.

Impact on Economic Prosperity: A large working-age population suggests a higher potential for economic growth. These individuals are productive and contribute to the economy, driving progress.

Dependency Ratio Considerations: The number of children and elderly affects the dependency ratio, as they rely on the working-age population. A higher number of dependents increases the burden on workers, who must provide for their needs.

Developmental Implications: The age distribution significantly influences a country's development level. A balanced age composition, especially with a strong working-age group, fosters economic development. Disparities in age distribution may require targeted policies to address specific challenges.

Q8. Discuss the factors responsible for distribution of population in India.

Ans: The distribution of population in India is uneven, with significant variations across states. For instance:

• Uttar Pradesh has a population of approximately 199 million, making it the most populous state.
• Sikkim, in contrast, has a much smaller population of around 0.6 million.
• Rajasthan, the largest state by area, contains only 5.5% of India's total population.

The key factors influencing this uneven distribution include:

• Climate: Regions with a favourable climate and high rainfall, such as the coastal plains and Northern Plains, support higher population densities due to agricultural prosperity. 
• Relief: The varied terrain affects population distribution. The flat, fertile Northern Plains and coastal areas have high densities, while hilly and rugged regions, particularly in the north and northeast, are sparsely populated.
• Soil: Fertile alluvial soil in the plains promotes agriculture and sustains larger populations, whereas areas with shallow or less fertile soil tend to have fewer inhabitants.

Q9. Discuss the advantage of having a healthy population.

Ans: Having a healthy population offers several advantages:

• Economic Productivity: A healthy population is more productive and can work harder, leading to increased earnings and economic growth.
• Poverty Reduction: Healthy individuals can better support their families, which helps to reduce poverty and improve living standards.
• Social Engagement: Healthy people tend to be more socially active and capable of reasoning, enabling them to address social issues and promote progress.
• Resource Allocation: Governments can focus on development projects instead of spending heavily on healthcare for the sick, allowing for better resource management.

Q10. Discuss the advantage of having a higher percentage of young people in a country.

Ans: Advantages of having a higher percentage of young people in a country:

• Economic Growth: Young people are crucial for the workforce, driving economic development and enhancing productivity.
• Innovation: Their creativity leads to technological advancements, shaping the future of the nation.
• Social Change: The youth often lead movements for reform, challenging outdated norms and promoting societal progress.
• Health Benefits: A younger population typically results in a healthier society, reducing healthcare costs.
• Future Resources: Young people represent the most productive segment, ensuring a continuous supply of future human resources.