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

Q1. What are the relationships between occupational structure and development?

Ans: The percentage of the population that is economically active is a key indicator of development. The way the working population is distributed across different occupations is known as the occupational structure. This structure reflects a country's level of development:

• In developed nations, a large proportion of the workforce is engaged in secondary and tertiary activities, such as manufacturing and services.
• In contrast, developing countries typically have a higher percentage of their workforce involved in primary activities, particularly agriculture.

Q2. Discuss the major components of population growth.

Ans: Population growth is influenced by three main components:

• Birth rate: This is the number of live births per thousand people in a year.
• Death rate: This refers to the number of deaths per thousand people in a year.
• Migration: This is the movement of people, which can be internal (within a country) or international (between countries).

The difference between the birth rate and death rate is known as the natural increase of the population. 

• A higher birth rate combined with a low death rate leads to a faster rate of population growth.
• A low birth rate and a high death rate result in slower population growth.
• Migration significantly affects the composition and distribution of the population.

Q3. What is a census? Why is it important for a country to conduct censuses periodically?

Ans: A census is an official count of a country's population, typically conducted every ten years. The data collected covers various aspects of the population and is compiled into a report.

The importance of conducting censuses periodically includes:

• Population Information: Provides essential details about the country's population.
• Comprehensive Data: Acts as the most thorough source of demographic, social, and economic information.
• Planning Development: Offers insights into population size and distribution, aiding in regional development planning.
• Trend Analysis: Allows for comparison of census data over decades to identify population growth trends, which is crucial for resource planning.
• Development Indicators: Reveals the economic and social development levels through data on occupational structure and literacy rates.

Q4. What are the reasons for the decrease in death rate in India after independence? (Important)

Ans: The decline in the death rate in India after independence can be attributed to several key factors:

• Improved medical facilities and enhanced public health services.
• Effective vaccination programmes to prevent infectious diseases.
• Better sanitation and health measures to control epidemics.
• Reduction in infant mortality through family planning and child care initiatives.
• Expansion of hospitals and adoption of modern medical practices.

Q5. What is meant by sex ratio? Give two reasons for low sex ratio in India.

Ans: Sex ratio refers to the number of females for every 1000 males in a population. In India, the sex ratio was 933 in 2001, indicating a significant imbalance with more males than females.

The low sex ratio in India can be attributed to several factors:

• Unequal social treatment of females.
• Discrimination against the girl child, leading to neglect and higher mortality rates.
• Low literacy rates and lack of social awareness regarding gender equality.
• Early marriage and high maternal mortality during childbirth.
• Poverty drives families to prefer male children, who are seen as future breadwinners.

Q6. Discuss the reasons for very low population in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh, located in the extreme north-eastern part of India, has a very low population of 10.97 lakhs and a density of only 13 persons per square kilometre. The reasons for this sparse population include:

• The state is predominantly hilly and covered with forests.
• It experiences a harsh climate with low average temperatures.
• The rugged terrain makes it difficult for people to settle.
• Overall, these unfavourable conditions contribute to the low population density.

Q7. Discuss why the knowledge about population growth is important?

Ans: The population of a country is its most important resource, serving as both producers and consumers of resources. While a larger workforce can drive development, it also means more mouths to feed. Understanding population growth is crucial for several reasons:

• Resource Planning: Knowledge of population growth aids in planning for essential resources.
• Health and Education: It informs the government about the need for health and educational facilities.
• Economic Development: Population growth impacts a country's economic status. Developed countries typically have lower growth rates, leading to a better standard of living.
• Environmental Impact: In developing countries, high population growth can strain resources and negatively affect both the physical and social environment.

Q8. How does migration affect the population of a nation? What are the causes of migration?

Ans: Migration significantly influences the population of a nation by altering its size and composition. It is a key factor in population change, affecting both the number of people and their distribution across different areas.

Key effects of migration include:

• Immigration (in-migration) increases a nation's population.
• Emigration (out-migration) decreases it.
• Changes in age and sex composition of the population.

Common causes of migration are:

• Better employment opportunities.
• Improved living conditions, including education and health facilities.
• Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, or epidemics. Conflict, war, or political unrest.

Q9. Describe the reasons behind the high density of population in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Ans: Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have high population densities of 689 and 904 persons per sq. km, respectively, due to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Both states are situated in the Ganga Plains, which feature flat land, fertile soil, and a plentiful water supply. These conditions are ideal for agriculture and other livelihoods.
• Settlement Conditions: The flat terrain allows for easy settlement, industrial development, and improved infrastructure, attracting more people.
• Climate: A suitable climate with abundant rainfall supports agriculture and enhances living conditions.
• Urban Centres: Major cities like Kolkata in West Bengal and Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh provide numerous job opportunities.

Q10. Distinguish between immigration and emigration. (Important)

Ans: Immigration and emigration refer to different aspects of migration, which is the movement of people.

• Immigration is when people move into a country from another country.
• Emigration is when people leave their country to move to another.

Key differences include:

• Population Impact: Immigration increases a country's population, while emigration decreases it.
• Reasons for Movement: People often immigrate for better job opportunities and living conditions.
• Conversely, emigration typically occurs when individuals seek improved survival and livelihood options.

Q11. Why is the health of people a matter of major concern for India? Explain any three reasons.

Ans: Despite significant progress, the health of people in India remains a major concern due to several factors:

• The per capita calorie consumption is significantly below recommended levels.
• A large percentage of the population suffers from malnutrition.
• Only one-third of the rural population has access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Q12. Give any three reasons for the steep rise in the population of India since 1921.

Ans: Since 1921, India's population has consistently risen due to several factors:

• Social Causes:
  • Early marriage for both men and women.
  • Low literacy rates, especially among females.
  • Social and religious superstitions.
• Economic Causes:
  • High birth rates coupled with low death rates.
  • Insufficient medical facilities leading to high infant mortality.
  • Lack of effective family planning methods.

Q13. What is migration? What is the impact of internal migration on the population within the nation?

Ans: Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another. It can be classified as:

• Internal migration: Movement within a country.
• International migration: Movement between countries.

When people move to a country, it is called immigration, while leaving is termed emigration.

Internal migration affects the distribution of the population but not its overall size. Key impacts include:

• Shifts from rural to urban areas, driven by factors like poverty and unemployment in rural regions.
• Increased urban population, which rose from 17.29% in 1951 to 31.80% in 2011.
• Growth in the number of cities with populations over one million, increasing from 35 to 59 between 2001 and 2023.

Overall, migration significantly influences the composition and distribution of populations within a nation.

Q14. When was National Population Policy implemented? Give its significant features.

Ans: National Population Policy (NPP) was implemented in 2000. The NPP 2000 outlines a framework to:

• Provide free and compulsory education up to 14 years of age.
• Reduce the infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1,000 live births.
• Achieve universal immunisation for children against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Promote delayed marriage for girls.
• Focus on family welfare as a people-centred programme.

The policy also pays special attention to the welfare of the adolescent population.

Q15. There are three main processes of change of population. Explain how these processes change the size of population. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans: There are three main processes that change the size of a population:

• Birth rates: This refers to the number of live births per thousand people in a year. A high birth rate contributes to population growth.
• Death rates: This is the number of deaths per thousand people in a year. A low death rate also supports population growth.
• Migration: This involves the movement of people across regions. It can be internal (within a country) or international (between countries). Internal migration affects the distribution of the population but not its overall size.

The natural increase in population is determined by the difference between birth rates and death rates:

• If the birth rate is high and the death rate is low, the population increases.
• If both rates are equal, the population remains stable.
• High death rates combined with low birth rates lead to a decrease in population.

Migration significantly influences the composition and distribution of the population, although it does not change the total size when it is internal.

Q16. Categorize the population of a nation into three broad categories on the basis of age composition and explain it. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans: The population of a nation can be categorised into three main groups based on age:

• Children: Typically aged below 15 years. This group is economically unproductive and requires essential needs such as food, clothing, education, and medical care.
• Working Group: Aged between 15 and 59 years. This group is economically productive and biologically reproductive, supporting both children and the elderly.
• Aged: Individuals above 59 years. Generally, this group is unproductive and relies on the working group for support.

Q17. What is meant by Occupational Structure? Explain the Occupational structure of India. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans: Occupational Structure refers to how a population is distributed across various types of occupations. These occupations are typically classified into three main categories:

• Primary activities: This includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, animal husbandry, mining, and quarrying.
• Tertiary activities: This encompasses transport, communication, trade, commerce, and services.
• Secondary activities: This covers manufacturing industries, building, and construction work.

In India:

• About 13% depend on secondary activities.
• Approximately 20% are involved in tertiary activities.
• Approximately 64% of the population is engaged in agriculture.

There has been a noticeable shift in India's occupational structure due to increasing industrialisation and urbanisation.

Q18. What is dependency ratio? Why is dependency ratio higher in India? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans: The dependency ratio measures the number of people who are dependent on the working-age population. It is calculated as the ratio of individuals aged below 15 years and above 60 years to those aged 15 to 59 years.

The dependency ratio in India is notably high due to:

• A growing elderly population, making up 6.9%.
• Only 58.7% of the population is economically active.
• A significant proportion of children, constituting 34.4% of the population.

This means that a large number of dependents rely on the working population for essentials such as food, clothing, education, and healthcare.

Q19. Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981? Give any three reasons. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans: Since 1981, the rate of population growth in India has been declining due to several factors:

• The average age at marriage has increased.
• There has been an improvement in the quality of life, especially in the education of females.
• The crude birth rate has shown a downward trend.