UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 10: Population and Associated Issues (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 10: Population and Associated Issues (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Indian Society. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

An Essay on the Principle of Population was written by:

Correct Answer: D [Thomas Robert Malthus]

Explanation:

1798.

2.  

In Indian demography, 1921 is known as the:

Correct Answer: B [year of the great divide]

Explanation:

Population fell between 1911 and 1921 (influenza and famines) and has grown without a break since 1921, hence the 'great divide'.

3.  

According to Malthus, food supply increases in:

Correct Answer: D [arithmetic progression]

Explanation:

Malthus held that food grows arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4) while population grows geometrically (1, 2, 4, 8).

4.  

Which decade recorded the highest decadal growth rate of India's population?

Correct Answer: D [1961–71]

Explanation:

about 24.8%.

5.  

India launched a national family planning programme in:

Correct Answer: A [1952]

Explanation:

India launched its national family planning programme in 1952, among the first such national programmes in the world.

6.  

The National Population Policy, 2000 set the long-term objective of a stable population by:

Correct Answer: B [2045]

Explanation:

NPP 2000 set three objectives; its long-term goal was a stable population by 2045.

7.  

The International Conference on Population and Development (1994), which shifted the focus to reproductive rights, was held at:

Correct Answer: C [Cairo]

Explanation:

The 1994 ICPD at Cairo moved the world from demographic targets to reproductive health and rights.

8.  

The 84th Constitutional Amendment (2001) relates to:

Correct Answer: A [the freeze on Lok Sabha seats per State]

Explanation:

extended till the first Census after 2026.

9.  

In the second stage of the demographic transition:

Correct Answer: A [death rates fall while birth rates remain high]

Explanation:

In stage 2 public health and food security cut death rates quickly while birth rates stay high, causing rapid growth.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. India adopted the Target-Free Approach in family planning in 1996.
2. The National Commission on Population is chaired by the Prime Minister.
3. The 42nd Amendment froze Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 1991 Census.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Target-free approach (1996) and PM-chaired Commission are correct; the 42nd Amendment froze seats on the 1971, not 1991, Census.

11.  

Assertion (A): Southern States face population ageing earlier than many northern States.

Reason (R): Southern States completed their fertility decline earlier.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Southern States cut fertility first, so their young share shrank earlier and their elderly share is rising sooner.

12.  

The phrase "Development is the best contraceptive" is associated with India's stand at the World Population Conference held at:

Correct Answer: B [Bucharest, 1974]

Explanation:

At the 1974 Bucharest World Population Conference India argued that 'Development is the best contraceptive'.

13.  

The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) studies:

Correct Answer: C [the health and social life of older persons]

Explanation:

LASI Wave 1 (2017–18) surveys the health, economic and social well-being of India's older population.

14.  

Among women in India, the most common reason for migration is:

Correct Answer: D [marriage]

Explanation:

Because residence is patrilocal, women move to the husband's home at marriage, making marriage the leading reason for female migration.

15.  

According to NFHS-5 (2019–21), which State had the highest total fertility rate?

Correct Answer: C [Bihar]

Explanation:

3.0.

16.  

Malthus's "preventive checks" on population include:

Correct Answer: B [late marriage]

Explanation:

Malthus's preventive checks lower the birth rate – late marriage and moral restraint (abstinence).

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. National Population Policy
2. National family planning programme
3. UN estimate that India became the most populous country
4. 84th Constitutional Amendment

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-1-4-3]

Explanation:

1952, 2000, 2001, 2023.

18.  

"Feminisation of ageing" means that:

Correct Answer: C [women form a growing share of the elderly, many of them widows]

Explanation:

Women outlive men, so they form a growing share of the elderly, many of them widows without income or property.

19.  

The demographic dividend refers to a period when:

Correct Answer: A [the working-age population is large relative to dependants]

Explanation:

The dividend arises when the working-age (15–64) share is large relative to dependants, which can raise savings and growth.

20.  

India's population at Census 2011 was:

Correct Answer: B [121.09 crore]

Explanation:

Census 2011 enumerated India's population at 121.09 crore, with decadal growth of about 17.7%.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U07 · Indian Society (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-society

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