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UPSC Prelims 2008 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Amongst the following States, which one has the highest percentage of rural population to its total population (on the basis of the Census, 2001)?
- (a) Himachal Pradesh
- (b) Bihar
- (c) Orissa
- (d) Uttar Pradesh
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Himachal Pradesh
About 90% of Himachal’s people lived in villages (2001).
The idea
Rural share is the rural population divided by the total population. It is different from the absolute number of rural residents. A small hill State can have a larger rural share than a much more populous plain State. This question fixes the comparison at Census 2001.
Why the others are wrong
(b) Bihar was ~89.5% rural — very close but slightly lower.
(c) Odisha ~85%.
(d) UP ~79%.
The trap
Bihar feels the most rural, but hilly Himachal is.
Also know
The Census distinguishes statutory towns, notified under law, from census towns identified by population, density and the work pattern of male main workers. A census town can retain rural local administration while being counted as urban statistically. Migration, natural increase and reclassification can all raise the urban share.
🔒 Most rural: Himachal (~90%). Most urban State: Goa (~62%, 2011).
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