📝 80-MARK QUESTION PAPER
CHAPTER: POPULATION (Contemporary India - I)
Class IX-X | NCERT Geography
📄 QUESTION PAPER (80 MARKS)
Time: 2.5-3 Hours | Total Questions: 21
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (1 MARK EACH)
Total Marks: 8 (8 questions × 1 mark)
Q1. 1
According to the 2011 Census, India's population was:
Q2. 1
Which state has the highest population density?
Q3. 1
Population density is calculated as:
Q4. 1
Which is a "Push Factor" for rural-to-urban migration?
Q5. 1
What percentage of India's population is adolescent (10-19 years)?
Q6. 1
National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 was implemented in:
Q7. 1
What does NPP stand for?
Q8. 1
Which state has about 16% of India's total population?
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER (3-4 MARKS EACH)
Total Marks: 24 (6 questions × 4 marks)
Q9. 4
Why is population considered a pivotal element in social studies? Explain with two examples.
Q10. 4
Define population density. Why study density instead of just total population?
Q11. 4
Explain the "Growth Paradox" in India's population. Why does growth rate decline while absolute numbers increase?
Q12. 4
List three push factors and three pull factors for rural-to-urban migration.
Q13. 3
Distinguish between internal and international migration. Give one example of each.
Q14. 4
Describe four key features of the National Population Policy (NPP) 2000.
SECTION C: LONG ANSWER (5-6 MARKS EACH)
Total Marks: 24 (4 questions × 6 marks)
Q15. 6
Analyze the uneven distribution of population in India. Explain why population is concentrated in certain areas using specific state examples.
Q16. 6
Discuss the three processes of population change (birth rates, death rates, and migration). How has each contributed to India's population growth between 1951 and 2011?
Q17. 6
Why are adolescents considered the most important resource for India's future? What health challenges do they face, and how can education help?
Q18. 6
Assess the impact of rural-to-urban migration on India's urban population. What problems does rapid urbanization create, and how can NPP 2000 help address them?
SECTION D: CASE STUDY (6 MARKS)
Q19. 6
Read the data and answer the questions below:
| Year | Population (Million) | Absolute Increase | Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 361.0 | - | 1.25 |
| 1971 | 548.2 | 108.9 | 2.20 |
| 1991 | 846.4 | 163.1 | 2.16 |
| 2011 | 1,210.6 | 181.5 | 1.64 |
A) Calculate the percentage increase in India's population from 1951 to 2011. 2
B) Analyze the trend. Why does the growth rate decline while absolute numbers increase? 2
C) What are the implications for India's resource management and sustainability? 2
SECTION E: MAP-BASED QUESTIONS (9 MARKS EACH)
Q20. 9
On an outline map of India, mark and label:
A) The 5 most populous states of India (3 marks)
B) Shade states with population density above 500 persons per sq km (3 marks)
C) Identify and name 3 states with lowest population density (3 marks)
✂️ ANSWER KEY STARTS HERE ✂️
✅ ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWERS
Q1. Answer: (C) 1,210.6 million ✓
Explanation:
According to the 2011 Census, India's population was exactly 1,210.6 million. This represented 17.5% of the world's total population spread across only 2.4% of the world's land area.
Q2. Answer: (B) Bihar ✓
Explanation:
Bihar has the highest population density at 1,102 persons per sq km. This is due to flat alluvial plains, fertile soil, and abundant rainfall - ideal for agriculture and settlement.
❌ Common Mistake: Don't confuse Bihar (highest density) with UP (most populous by total numbers).
Q3. Answer: (B) Total population ÷ Total area ✓
Explanation:
Formula: Population Density = Total Population ÷ Total Area (per sq km)
Example: 50,000 people in 100 sq km = 500 persons/sq km
Q4. Answer: (B) Poverty and unemployment ✓
Explanation:
Push Factors are negative conditions that force people to LEAVE rural areas:
- Limited job opportunities
- Low wages
- Poor schools and hospitals
- Poverty
Q5. Answer: (C) 20% ✓
Explanation:
Adolescents (ages 10-19 years) make up approximately 20% of India's total population (1 out of every 5 people). They are India's most important resource for the future.
Q6. Answer: (D) 2000 ✓
Explanation:
NPP 2000 was officially implemented in 2000. It was the culmination of the Family Planning Programme that started in 1952.
Q7. Answer: (B) National Population Policy ✓
Explanation:
NPP = National Population Policy. It's a comprehensive framework to manage population growth and improve individual welfare.
Q8. Answer: (C) Uttar Pradesh ✓
Explanation:
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state with 199 million people (2011 Census), accounting for about 16% of India's total population. Located in the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain.
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER SOLUTIONS
Q9. Why is population pivotal in social studies? (4 Marks)
Model Answer:
Population is the point of reference from which all other elements are observed and derive meaning (1 mark)
Example 1: Resources - Coal is just a rock until people develop technology to use it. Without people, it's not a resource (1.5 marks)
Example 2: Disasters - A flood becomes a "disaster" only when it affects crowded areas. The same flood in an empty desert is not a disaster (1.5 marks)
Key Point: Understanding population numbers, distribution, and characteristics is essential to understanding any country.
Q10. Define density and why study it? (4 Marks)
Model Answer:
Definition (1 mark): Population density is the number of people living per unit area, measured as persons per square kilometer.
Why Study Density (3 marks):
Provides better picture of crowding than absolute numbers alone
Allows fair comparison between regions of different sizes
Identifies areas with infrastructure pressure (overpopulation)
Shows areas with sparse settlement (development opportunities)
Q11. Explain the Growth Paradox (4 Marks)
Model Answer:
The Paradox (1 mark): Despite declining growth rates since 1981, absolute population added each decade increases. Growth rate ↓ but absolute numbers ↑
Why (2 marks): Low growth rate applied to a HUGE population base (1+ billion) still yields large absolute numbers. Example: 1.64% of 1,211M = 19.9M (more than higher rates on smaller bases)
Implications (1 mark): India still adds 180+ million people per decade, straining resources despite lower growth rates.
Real Data: 1971: 2.2% of 548M = 12M added | 2011: 1.64% of 1,211M = 19.9M added (lower rate, bigger number!)
Q12. Push and Pull Factors (4 Marks)
Model Answer:
PUSH FACTORS (Why leave villages):
- Poverty and low farm income
- Limited employment opportunities
- Poor quality education and healthcare
PULL FACTORS (Why go to cities):
- Better jobs and higher wages
- Good schools and educational institutions
- Quality healthcare and improved living conditions
Q13. Internal vs International Migration (3 Marks)
Model Answer:
Internal Migration (1.5 marks): Movement WITHIN the same country (example: rural to urban in India). Changes distribution but NOT total population.
International Migration (1.5 marks): Movement BETWEEN countries (example: Indians moving to USA). Changes both distribution AND total population for each country.
Q14. Four Features of NPP 2000 (4 Marks - 1 Each)
Model Answer:
1. Free and Compulsory Education up to age 14: Educated people make informed decisions about family size and health.
2. Promote Delayed Marriage for Girls: Later marriages lead to fewer, healthier babies and better maternal health.
3. Reduce Infant Mortality Below 30 per 1,000: When families trust babies will survive, they don't need many children.
4. Universal Immunization: Vaccinate all children against preventable diseases for healthier population.
SECTION C: LONG ANSWER SOLUTIONS
Q15. Uneven Population Distribution (6 Marks)
Model Answer:
Introduction (1 mark): India's 1.21 billion people are unevenly distributed - half live in just 5 states.
Reasons (3 marks):
Topography: Flat plains easier for settlement than mountains
Climate: Good rainfall supports agriculture (1,500+ mm annually)
Soil: Fertile alluvial soils attract farming communities
Development: Cities with better infrastructure attract more people
Examples (2 marks):
HIGH DENSITY: UP (199M, 16%) - Indo-Gangetic Plain | Bihar (1,102/sq km) - alluvial plains
LOW DENSITY: Arunachal Pradesh (17/sq km) - rugged terrain | Rajasthan - desert climate
Q16. Three Processes of Population Change (6 Marks)
Model Answer:
A) BIRTH RATE (2 marks): Number of live births per 1,000 people/year. Major driver of growth - always higher than death rate. Started declining since 1981 due to education and contraceptive awareness.
B) DEATH RATE (2 marks): Number of deaths per 1,000 people/year. MAIN CAUSE of growth has been RAPID DECLINE in death rates due to improved healthcare, sanitation, vaccines, and better living conditions.
C) MIGRATION (2 marks): Internal migration doesn't change total but changes distribution. Rural-to-urban movement increased urban population from 17.29% (1951) to 31.80% (2011).
Growth Pattern: 1951-1981: High births + declining deaths = rapid growth (2.2% peak) | 1981-2011: Declining births + low deaths = slower growth (1.64%)
Q17. Adolescents as Future Resource (6 Marks)
Model Answer:
Importance (1.5 marks): Adolescents (20% of population) are tomorrow's workforce, leaders, and decision-makers. Their health today determines India's future.
Health Challenges (2 marks):
High nutritional needs during growth period
Many suffer from anemia (iron deficiency) especially girls
Inadequate diet leads to stunted growth and low energy
Limited health awareness
Role of Education (2.5 marks):
Teaches about nutrition and balanced diet
Literacy helps make informed health choices
Girls' education leads to delayed marriage → fewer children → better health
NPP 2000 supports this through free education up to age 14
Q18. Rural-Urban Migration & NPP 2000 (6 Marks)
Model Answer:
Impact on Urban Population (2 marks): Rapid urbanization - urban population grew from 17.29% to 31.80% (1951-2011). Million-plus cities increased from 35 (2001) to 53 (2011). Mega cities overcrowded with slums.
Problems Created (2 marks):
Housing crisis and slum formation
Infrastructure strain (water, electricity, sanitation)
Pollution and congestion
Unemployment and crime
How NPP 2000 Helps (2 marks):
Free education → awareness → smaller families → less migration pressure
Delayed marriages for girls → fewer children born
Better health → families feel secure → natural population control
Long-term: Slows growth rate, reduces urbanization pressure
SECTION D: CASE STUDY SOLUTION
Q19. CASE STUDY: India's Population 1951-2011 (6 Marks)
A) PERCENTAGE INCREASE (2 Marks):
Formula: [(Final - Initial) / Initial] × 100
Calculation: [(1,210.6 - 361.0) / 361.0] × 100
= (849.6 / 361.0) × 100
= 2.353 × 100 = 235.3%
✓ ANSWER: India's population increased by approximately 235% (tripled!) from 1951 to 2011.
B) ANALYZE THE TREND (2 Marks):
Growth RATE declined: 2.20% (1971) → 1.64% (2011) = success of family planning
BUT absolute increase rose: 108.9M (1951-71) → 181.5M (2001-11) = THE PARADOX!
Why? Lower rate on LARGER base = larger absolute number. (2.2% of 548M = 12.1M but 1.64% of 1,211M = 19.9M)
✓ ANSWER: The "Growth Paradox" - declining rates but rising absolute numbers due to increasingly large population base.
C) IMPLICATIONS FOR RESOURCES (2 Marks):
180+ million people added every decade requires ENORMOUS resources
Water scarcity: Increased demand strains limited resources
Food security: Must increase production - risk of land degradation
Environmental stress: More pollution, deforestation, climate change
Infrastructure challenges: Schools, hospitals, roads must expand constantly
✓ ANSWER: Large population growth exhausts resources faster than replacement. Sustainable development critical. NPP 2000's focus on education & health helps stabilize growth.
