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UPSC Prelims 2004 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Consider the following statements: As per 2001 Census Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The two States with the lowest sex ratio are Haryana and Punjab.
- The two States with the lowest population per sq km of area are Meghalaya and Mizoram.
- Kerala has both the highest literacy rate and sex ratio.
- (a) 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 1 and 2
- (d) 1 and 3
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Statements 1 and 3 are accepted.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT Haryana (861) and Punjab (876) had the lowest sex ratios among the major States.
2. ✗ WRONG The lowest densities were Arunachal Pradesh (13) and Mizoram (42) — not Meghalaya.
3. ✓ CORRECT Kerala had the highest literacy (90.9%) and the highest sex ratio (1,058).
The idea
A claim naming the two lowest States must hold across the whole set of States, not just the larger ones. Sex ratio, density and literacy each need their own ranking. Use Census 2001 and keep States separate from Union Territories; a silent “major States” restriction changes the question.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Statement 1 is also accepted.
(b) Meghalaya is not among the two least dense.
(c) Statement 2 is wrong.
The trap
Mizoram is right, but Meghalaya replaces Arunachal.
Also know
As of Census 2001, Sikkim’s sex ratio was 875, below Punjab’s 876, while Haryana’s was 861. Census 2011 placed Bihar highest in State population density, but the 2001 leader was West Bengal. These examples show why both the date and the comparison set matter.
🔒 Lowest density: Arunachal. Highest: Bihar (2011), West Bengal (2001). Note: Sikkim (875) was also below Punjab in 2001.
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