Population Class 9 Worksheet Geography Chapter 1

Q.1. What was India’s population on March 2011?(Census 2011)

Ans: As per the 2011 Census, India’s population on 1 March 2011 was about 1,210.9 million (1.21 billion). This figure is the official count used for planning and comparison across states and districts.

Q.2. How would you summarize the problems faced by the poor population of India?

Ans: The poor population in India faces multiple interlinked problems:

• High levels of malnutrition and calorie deficiency among children and adults, which affects growth and learning.
• Limited access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, especially in many rural and slum areas.
• Inadequate health care and preventive services, leading to higher illness, disability and mortality.
• Poverty, unemployment or underemployment, and low incomes that restrict access to education, food and good housing.
• Lower literacy and educational attainment, particularly among girls, which limits future economic opportunities.

These problems are mutually reinforcing: poor health reduces ability to work or study, and lack of education and income makes it harder to escape poverty. Effective policies need to tackle several of these issues together.

Q.3. Describe the distribution of population in India?

Ans:

• As per the 2011 Census, India’s population stood at 1,210.9 million, about 17.5% of the world’s population.

• These 1.21 billion people are unevenly spread over an area of 3.29 million sq km, so population density varies widely across regions.

• Uttar Pradesh, with around 199.8 million people (2011), was the most populous state.

• At the other extreme, small regions such as Sikkim (about 0.61 million) and Lakshadweep (about 64 thousand) had very small populations.

• Nearly half of India’s population lived in five states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh.

• Large states in area, for example Rajasthan, contained a relatively smaller share of the population (Rajasthan had about 5.67% of India’s population).

Thus, population distribution in India is highly uneven. This pattern is caused by differences in physical geography (mountains, deserts, plains), availability of water and fertile land, and economic opportunities such as industry and services that attract people to certain regions.

Q.4. What is the density of population in India? (Census 2011)

Ans: 382 persons per sq km (as per Census 2011). This number is the national average; some states have much higher or lower densities.

Q.5. Why the Northern Indian Plain is thickly populated? Mention the two states of Northern Plains with high population density.

Ans: The northern plain is densely populated for several reasons:

• Fertile soils: Rich alluvial soils make the plains very productive for agriculture.
• Favourable climate: The region receives moderate to high monsoon rainfall, suitable for multiple crops.
• Adequate water supply: Major rivers (such as the Ganga and its tributaries) provide irrigation and support farming and settlements.
• Flat terrain and transport: Plains are easy to build roads, railways and towns, encouraging trade and migration.
• Economic opportunities: Intensive agriculture and related industries attract and sustain a large population.

Two states of the northern plains with high population density are Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Q.6. Should India feel proud of its size and total population? Give reason.

• Ans: Yes, India can regard its large population as a potential strength if appropriate investments are made.
• A large proportion of the population is young; this youthful population can become a major asset (human resource) for growth if given opportunities.
• With proper education, skill training and employment opportunities, young people can increase productivity and innovation.
• Older citizens hold experience and knowledge that younger generations can learn from; together they form valuable human capital.
• To convert population size into a genuine advantage, the country must invest in health, education and job creation; without such investments, a large population may become a burden.

Q.7. Which is least densely populated state of India?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh. Its difficult mountainous terrain, dense forests and sparse settlements result in a very low population density.

Q.8. Why is the population vital element of study?

Ans: Population is central because people are both the users and makers of resources and institutions. Key points:

• Resources, planning and policies are meaningful only in relation to the people who use them.
• Social and economic development depends on the size, structure and quality of the population.
• Disasters, public health and welfare programmes must be designed with population data as the reference point.

Q.9. Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981? Give reasons.

Ans: Several social and policy changes contributed to the decline in growth rate since 1981:

• Wider reach of family planning services and government awareness campaigns.
• Improved female literacy and education, which lead to better knowledge of health and a smaller desired family size.
• More women entering the workforce and delaying childbirth.
• Greater public awareness through media about the costs of large families.
• Urbanisation, rising incomes and better access to health care have also contributed to smaller family sizes and lower fertility.

Q.10. What is the density of population of West Bengal?

Ans: 1,028 persons per sq km (as per Census 2011).

Q.11. What is human resource? What is its importance?

Ans: Human resource refers to people who make up the workforce and can convert natural resources into useful goods and services by applying skills and knowledge.

• People give value to natural resources through technology, labour and management.
• A country’s development depends on the quality of its human resource - education, skills and health.
• Examples: industrial growth in countries such as Japan is often attributed to strong human resources (skilled and educated people).

Q.12. What are the features of population Change?

Ans: Key features of population change include:

• Change is driven by birth rate, death rate and migration.
• Population structure (age composition and sex ratio) can change even when total numbers do not grow.
• Internal migration redistributes population within a country and changes regional population patterns.
• Changes in sex ratio or specific age groups (for example, a rise in young adults) are also important aspects of population change.

Q.13. What is percentage of children in Indian population?

Ans: 13.1% (as per Census 2011, for the 0–6 years age group).

Q.14. Uttar Pradesh is most populated state of India. Give reasons.

Ans: Reasons why Uttar Pradesh is highly populated:

• Fertile alluvial soil: Excellent for agriculture and supports high rural population.
• Favourable climate: Climate supports multiple crops and livelihoods.
• Major rivers and irrigation: Rivers provide water for farming, transport and other uses.
• Easy transport and plains: Flat terrain favours roads, railways and urban growth.
• Link between agriculture and industry: Agricultural surplus supports craft and industrial activities, attracting more people.

Q.15. Write a short note on National Population Policy.

Ans:

• India launched a comprehensive Family Planning Programme in 1952 to promote planned parenthood and improve family welfare.
• Family welfare measures have been largely voluntary and aimed at improving health and reducing fertility.
• The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 built on past efforts and set goals such as free and compulsory schooling up to 14 years, reducing infant mortality rate below 30 per 1000 live births and achieving universal immunisation.
• NPP 2000 also emphasised delaying marriage for girls and making family welfare people-centred with better access to services.

Q.16. What is the ratio of females per thousand males in Kerala?

Ans: 1,084 females per 1,000 males (as per Census 2011).

Q.17. What are the factors responsible for the uneven population distribution of India?

Ans: Main factors causing uneven population distribution:

• Physiography: Mountains, plateaus and deserts are sparsely populated while plains and river valleys are densely settled.
• Climate: Moderate and favourable climate zones attract larger populations.
• Economic development: Industrial and urban regions offer jobs and services that draw migrants.
• Availability of resources and infrastructure: Water, fertile land, transport and public services influence settlement patterns.

Q.18. Write short note on the Adolescent Population of India. What are the problems faced by adolescent population.

Ans:

• Size and age group: Adolescents (aged 10–19 years) make up about one-fifth of India’s population and are a crucial resource for the future.
• Nutritional needs: Adolescents require higher nutrients for growth. In India many adolescents do not get adequate diet, leading to stunting and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Health problems: A large number of adolescent girls suffer from anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies.
• Social concerns: Lack of awareness, early marriage in some areas and limited access to education and health services are key problems.
• Remedial measures: Improve nutrition, promote school enrolment, spread health education, delay age at marriage and run targeted adolescent health programmes to address physical and mental health needs.

Q.19. What is the average life of India according to 2011 census?

Ans: 67.9 years (life expectancy at birth around the 2011 Census period).

Q.20. What is birth rate and death rate?

Ans:

• Birth rate: The number of live births per 1,000 people in a year. A high birth rate contributes to population increase.
• Death rate: The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year. Improvements in medical care and public health help reduce the death rate.

Both rates are key indicators for understanding population change and for planning health and social services.