Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 6: Population

1. Short Notes for Revision

Importance of Population

  • Pivotal Element: Humans develop economy/society, make/use resources (e.g., coal becomes resource via technology); natural events (floods) become disasters only with people.
  • Key Aspects: Numbers, distribution, growth, characteristics provide background for environment understanding; people as producers/consumers of resources.
  • Census of India: Official enumeration every 10 years; first 1872, complete from 1881; comprehensive demographic/social/economic data source.

Population Size and Distribution

  • 2011 Census: 1,210.6 million (1.21 billion), 17% world population; over 3.28 million sq km (2.4% world area).
  • Updated Estimate (2025): ~1.464 billion, world’s largest (overtook China), ~17.8% global share.
  • Most Populous State: Uttar Pradesh (199 million, 16% national); least—Sikkim (0.6 million), Lakshadweep (64,429).
  • Top 5 States (Half Population): UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana+AP combined ~100 million est.).
  • Area vs Population: Rajasthan largest state (5.5% pop); uneven due to resources, terrain, climate.

Population Density

  • Definition: Persons per sq km; India avg. 382 (2011), now ~464 est. (2025).
  • Highest: Bihar (1,102); lowest—Arunachal Pradesh (17); only Bangladesh/Japan denser globally.
  • Patterns: High in Ganga Plains/UP/Bihar (fertile/agriculture); low in Himalayas/North-East (rugged/forests), deserts (arid).
  • Factors for Unevenness: Relief (plains vs hills), climate (monsoon vs dry), resources (fertile soil/water), economy (jobs/urbanization).

Population Growth

  • Trends: 1951-2011 growth ~2.15% annual; declining due to family planning; 2001-2011 decadal 17.64%.
  • Components: Births, deaths, migration; high growth in fertile/rural areas.
  • Implications: Pressure on resources, but demographic dividend (youth bulge) for economy.

Population Composition

  • Age-Sex Structure: Broad base pyramid (young pop., 0-14: 31%); sex ratio 943 females/1000 males (2011), improving in south.
  • Literacy: 74% (2011), higher females in Kerala (91%); urban-rural gap.
  • Quality of Population: Education, health, skills; human resource development key.

Challenges and Policies

  • Issues: Overpopulation, unemployment, poverty; regional imbalances.
  • Measures: National Population Policy (2000)—stabilize by 2045; family welfare, education, women’s empowerment.

2. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Population is the _____ element in social studies. A) Secondary B) Pivotal C) Minor D) External
  2. India’s population in 2011 was: A) 1.21 billion B) 1.46 billion C) 1 billion D) 2 billion
  3. Which state has the highest population (2011)? A) Maharashtra B) Uttar Pradesh C) Bihar D) West Bengal
  4. India’s share of world population (2011): A) 2.4% B) 17% C) 50% D) 10%
  5. First complete census in India: A) 1872 B) 1881 C) 1901 D) 1951
  6. Average population density (2011): A) 382/sq km B) 1102/sq km C) 17/sq km D) 464/sq km
  7. State with lowest density (2011): A) Bihar B) Arunachal Pradesh C) UP D) Kerala
  8. Half of India’s population lives in _____ states (2011). A) 2 B) 5 C) 10 D) 28
  9. Rajasthan’s population share (2011): A) 16% B) 5.5% C) 17% D) 2%
  10. Sex ratio (2011): A) 940 B) 943 C) 950 D) 927
  11. Literacy rate (2011): A) 64% B) 74% C) 84% D) 50%
  12. India’s 2025 population estimate: A) 1.21 billion B) 1.46 billion C) 1.3 billion D) 1.5 billion
  13. World’s most populous country (2025): A) China B) USA C) India D) Indonesia
  14. UP’s population share: A) 5.5% B) 16% C) 17% D) 10%
  15. Factor for uneven distribution: A) Area only B) Relief and resources C) Climate alone D) Migration none
  16. Decadal growth 2001-2011: A) 21.54% B) 17.64% C) 25% D) 10%
  17. National Population Policy year: A) 1951 B) 2000 C) 2011 D) 2025
  18. Density calculation: A) Persons per state B) Persons per sq km C) Total pop/area D) Both B and C
  19. Sikkim’s population (2011): A) 199 million B) 0.6 million C) 64,429 D) 100 million
  20. Lakshadweep population (2011): A) 0.6 million B) 64,429 C) 17/sq km D) 1,102/sq km

Answer Key: 1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-B, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B, 11-B, 12-B, 13-C, 14-B, 15-B, 16-B, 17-B, 18-D, 19-B, 20-B

3. Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSAQs)

  1. Define census. Answer: Official periodic enumeration of population.
  2. India’s 2011 population. Answer: 1,210.6 million.
  3. Most populous state (2011). Answer: Uttar Pradesh (199 million).
  4. Least populous state (2011). Answer: Sikkim (0.6 million).
  5. Average density (2011). Answer: 382 persons/sq km.
  6. Highest density state. Answer: Bihar (1,102/sq km).
  7. Lowest density state. Answer: Arunachal Pradesh (17/sq km).
  8. Sex ratio (2011). Answer: 943 females/1000 males.
  9. Literacy rate (2011). Answer: 74%.
  10. First census year. Answer: 1872 (complete 1881).
  11. India’s world pop share (2011). Answer: 17%.
  12. 2025 pop estimate. Answer: 1.46 billion.

4. Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs)

  1. Why is population pivotal? Answer: Humans utilize resources, create society/economy; disasters meaningful only with people; provides base for environmental studies.
  2. Describe India’s population size (2011). Answer: 1.21 billion, 17% world pop on 2.4% area; uneven—UP 16%, Sikkim 0.05%.
  3. Explain population density. Answer: Persons/sq km measures unevenness better than numbers; India 382 avg., high in fertile plains, low in hills/deserts.
  4. Why uneven distribution? Answer: Influenced by terrain (plains dense), climate (monsoon areas populated), resources (fertile soil attracts), economy (jobs in urban/industrial zones).
  5. What is census role? Answer: Provides demographic data every decade; aids planning education/health/resources.
  6. Discuss top 5 states’ share. Answer: UP, MH, Bihar, WB, AP hold ~50% pop; due to fertile Ganga plains, industrialization.
  7. State sex ratio significance. Answer: 943/1000 (2011) indicates gender imbalance; affects society, policies for girl child.
  8. Why declining growth rate? Answer: Family planning, education, urbanization reduce births; 17.64% decadal (2001-11).
  9. Literacy variations. Answer: 74% national; Kerala high (94%), Bihar low (62%); urban > rural, females lag.

5. Long Answer Type Questions (LAQs)

  1. Analyze India’s population size, distribution, and density with 2011 data and updates. 2011 Census showed 1.21 billion, 17% global on 2.4% area—7th largest country. UP led with 199 million (16%), Sikkim trailed at 0.6 million; top 5 states (UP/MH/Bihar/WB/AP) held half, reflecting fertile plains pull. Density averaged 382/sq km, Bihar 1,102 (high fertility/agri), Arunachal 17 (rugged terrain). Unevenness from relief (Ganga dense, Himalayas sparse), climate (monsoon favors), resources. By 2025, ~1.46 billion est., India #1 globally; density ~464, UP ~241 million—pressures resources but youth dividend boosts economy. Map: High density Indo-Gangetic, low NE/West.
  2. Discuss factors for uneven population distribution and implications. Physical factors: Plains (Ganga) fertile/attractive vs hills/deserts inhospitable. Climate: Monsoon rain supports agri in east/central, arid west sparse. Resources: Water/soil draw to UP/Bihar. Economic: Jobs in MH/WB urban areas. Social: Migration to cities. Implications: Overcrowded north strains infra/health; sparse NE misses development. Policies: Balanced growth via incentives in low-density zones. 2011: 50% in 5 states; 2025 est. similar trends, urban shift 35% pop. Map ref: Density gradient east-west in plains.
  3. Explain population composition—age, sex, literacy—with challenges. Age: Youthful pyramid, 31% 0-14, 31% 15-59 (dividend for workforce). Sex ratio 943/1000—low due to preferences; child ratio 919 worse. Literacy 74%, Kerala 94%, Bihar 62%; gender gap females 65%. Challenges: Imbalance skews demographics, low literacy hampers skills. Measures: Beti Bachao campaigns, Sarva Shiksha. Updated: 2025 est. literacy ~80%, sex ratio improving to 950+ in south. Composition shapes policies—youth need jobs, education equity key for sustainable growth.
  4. Evaluate population growth trends and government policies. Growth: 2.15% annual 1951-2011, decadal 17.64% (2001-11)—declining via awareness/contraception. Projections: Stabilize 1.6 billion by 2050. Policies: National (2000) targets replacement fertility (2.1), zero growth by 2045; focus voluntary family planning, women’s health/education. Success: TFR 2.2 (2019); challenges rural high births. Implications: Eases resource pressure, harnesses youth. Map: High growth Bihar/MP, low Kerala/TN—mimic south models nationwide.
  5. Discuss census importance and data uses. Census: Decennial snapshot since 1881; counts numbers, age/sex/occupation/literacy. Uses: Planning (schools/hospitals), resource allocation, policy (poverty maps). 2011 revealed urban 31%, literacy rise. Delays (2021 postponed) use projections—2025 est. 1.46 billion. Challenges: Accuracy in remote areas. Vital for SDGs, electoral boundaries. Encourages data literacy for students.

6. Source-Based / Case-Based Assessment Questions

Source Extract (from NCERT Figure 6.1 & Text): “India’s population as on March 2011 stood at 1,210.6 million, which account for more than 17 per cent of the world’s population. These 1.21 billion people are unevenly distributed over our country’s vast area of 3.28 million square km… Uttar Pradesh… 199 million… Sikkim… 0.6 million.”

  1. What was India’s 2011 population? (Factual Recall) Answer: 1,210.6 million.
  2. India’s world population share (2011). (Factual Recall) Answer: 17%.
  3. Name most/least populous states. (Factual Recall) Answer: UP (199 million), Sikkim (0.6 million).
  4. Calculate India’s pop density (2011). (Application) Answer: 1,210.6 million / 3.28 million sq km ≈ 369/sq km (text says 382, refined calc).
  5. Why uneven distribution? (Analytical) Answer: Varies by resources/terrain—fertile UP dense, hilly Sikkim sparse.
  6. Relate to 2025 estimates. (Critical Thinking) Answer: Now ~1.46 billion; UP ~241 million—growth strains, needs planning.

Answer Key: (From recall to critical; builds analytical skills.)

7. Solved Exercise-End Questions (NCERT Solutions)

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Which of the following is the largest state of India in terms of area? (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Rajasthan (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Maharashtra Answer: (b) Rajasthan (Largest area, but only 5.5% pop.)

(ii) The most populous state of India is: (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Maharashtra (c) Bihar (d) West Bengal Answer: (a) Uttar Pradesh (199 million, 16% national.)

(iii) The least populated state of India is: (a) Sikkim (b) Goa (c) Manipur (d) Arunachal Pradesh Answer: (a) Sikkim (0.6 million.)

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) Name the states which account for half of India’s population (2011). Answer: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh.

(ii) What is the population density of India as per the 2011 Census? Answer: 382 persons per sq km.

(iii) Why is the population of India unevenly distributed? Answer: Due to variations in relief (plains dense), climate (monsoon areas populated), resources (fertile soil), and economic opportunities.

3. Distinguish between population density and population distribution.

Answer: Distribution shows spread (e.g., UP high numbers, Sikkim low); density measures concentration (persons/sq km, Bihar 1,102 vs Arunachal 17)—density better reveals unevenness.

4. Describe the uneven distribution of population in India.

Answer: 2011: High in Ganga Plains (UP/Bihar, fertile/agri); low in Himalayas (Arunachal, rugged), deserts (Rajasthan, arid). Top 5 states 50% pop; factors—terrain, water, jobs. Implications: Regional planning needed.

Map Skills

On an outline map of India, show the following: (i) States with highest/lowest population density. (ii) Most/least populous states. Answer: (i) High: Bihar (E); low: Arunachal (NE). (ii) Most: UP (N); least: Sikkim (NE).

Project/Activity

Prepare a poster on population distribution in India. Answer: Use 2011 pie chart (Fig 6.2), add 2025 est.; highlight unevenness, factors; visuals—dense plains vs sparse hills.

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