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UPSC Prelims 2000 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Which one of the following statements is true according to 1991 census data?
- (a) UP has the highest density of population in India
- (b) Himachal Pradesh has the highest female to male sex ratio in India
- (c) West Bengal has the highest growth rate of population in India
- (d) Bihar has the lowest literacy rate in India
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Bihar has the lowest literacy rate in India
Bihar had the lowest literacy rate in 1991.
The idea
Census indicators measure different features of a population. Density uses area, growth uses an earlier population, literacy uses the eligible age group, and sex ratio compares females with males. A State leading one indicator need not lead another. Use the 1991 boundaries and data here.
Why the others are wrong
(a) West Bengal had higher density than UP.
(b) Kerala had the highest sex ratio.
(c) Nagaland had the highest growth.
Also know
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand became separate States in 2000. Earlier Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh therefore covered different territories from those used in later censuses. Compare like boundaries before interpreting a long-term change.
🔒 1991: Kerala highest literacy and sex ratio; Bihar lowest literacy.
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