Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter-6: Population, updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Exercise
Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in:
(a) the area of departure
(b) the area of arrival
(c) both the area of departure and arrival
(d) none of the above
Ans. (c) both the area of departure and arrival
(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of:
(a) high birth rates
(b) high life expectancies
(c) high death rates
(d) more married couples
Ans. (a) high birth rates
(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to:
(a) the total population of an area
(b) the number of persons added each year
(c) the rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males
Ans. (b) the number of persons added each year
(iv) According to the Census, a “literate” person is one who:
(a) can read and write his/her name
(b) can read and write any language
(c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding
(d) knows the 3 ‘R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic)
Ans. (c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981?
The rate of population growth in India has been declining since 1981 due to a rapid decline in birth rates. Increased awareness, better family planning, and government policies like the National Population Policy have contributed to this decline.
(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.
The major components of population growth are:
- Birth Rate: The number of live births per thousand people in a year.
- Death Rate: The number of deaths per thousand people in a year.
- Migration: The movement of people across regions, which influences the population’s composition and distribution.
(iii) Define age structure, death rate, and birth rate.
- Age Structure: The distribution of different age groups in a population, typically divided into children (0-14 years), working-age (15-59 years), and elderly (60+ years).
- Death Rate: The number of deaths per thousand people in a year.
- Birth Rate: The number of live births per thousand people in a year.
(iv) How is migration a determinant factor of population change?
Migration affects population change by altering both the size and composition of populations in the areas of arrival and departure. Internal migration within a country changes the distribution of the population, while international migration affects the total population.
3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.
Population Growth refers to the increase in the number of people in a specific area over a period of time, typically measured by birth rate minus death rate.
Population Change includes not only growth but also factors such as migration, which affects the distribution and composition of the population.
4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?
The occupational structure of a country refers to the distribution of its workforce across different sectors like agriculture, industry, and services. As a country develops, there is a shift from primary (agriculture) to secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) sectors, which indicates higher levels of economic development and modernization.
5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?
- A healthy population is essential for:
- Increased productivity and economic growth.
- Reduced healthcare costs.
- Higher life expectancy and better quality of life.
- Enhanced social and economic development.
6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?
- The National Population Policy 2000 focuses on:
- Free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age.
- Reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1,000 live births.
- Achieving universal immunization of children.
- Promoting delayed marriage for girls and encouraging family welfare programs.
Other Important Short Answer-type Questions
Here are important short answer-type questions and answers based on Chapter 6 of the NCERT Class 9 Geography book, “Population,” designed to help students prepare for previous years’ NCERT 9th class exams and UPSC.
1. What is population density?
Population density is the number of people living per unit area of land. It is expressed as the number of persons per square kilometer.
2. Why is population distribution uneven in India?
Population distribution in India is uneven due to various factors like terrain, climate, availability of resources, and economic opportunities. Regions with favorable climatic conditions and fertile land, such as the Northern Plains, are densely populated, while areas with harsh climates or difficult terrains, like deserts and mountains, have sparse populations.
3. What is the difference between birth rate and death rate?
The birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a year, while the death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year. A higher birth rate and a lower death rate result in population growth.
4. How does migration affect population distribution in India?
Migration affects the distribution of population within the country. Rural-to-urban migration increases the urban population while decreasing the rural population. Migration influences the composition of population in terms of age, sex, and occupation, especially in cities.
5. What factors contribute to population growth in India?
Population growth in India is mainly due to a high birth rate, declining death rate, and improvements in healthcare. Internal migration from rural to urban areas also affects population distribution, but not the overall growth.
6. What was the main reason for the decline in the population growth rate since 1981?
The main reason for the decline in population growth rate since 1981 is the decrease in birth rates due to family planning measures, increased literacy, and improvements in healthcare, which led to lower infant mortality and better awareness of reproductive health.
7. Explain the significance of the National Population Policy (NPP) 2000.
The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 aims to stabilize the population by promoting responsible parenthood, reducing the infant mortality rate, and ensuring free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age. It also focuses on improving reproductive health and increasing public awareness about family planning.
8. What is the adolescent population, and why is it significant?
The adolescent population refers to individuals aged 10 to 19 years. It constitutes about one-fifth of India’s total population. This group is significant because they are the future workforce, and their health and education are crucial for the country’s development.
9. What is the sex ratio, and what does it indicate?
The sex ratio is the number of females per 1,000 males in a population. A balanced sex ratio is important for social stability, and an imbalanced ratio can indicate gender discrimination, often resulting in fewer females due to cultural or social practices.
10. What is the main cause of the decline in death rates in India?
The decline in death rates in India is primarily due to improvements in medical facilities, better healthcare, increased life expectancy, and access to vaccinations and clean drinking water, which have reduced infant mortality and deaths from diseases.
11. How does the age structure of a population impact the economy?
The age structure refers to the distribution of people in different age groups. A large proportion of working-age individuals (15-59 years) contributes positively to the economy through higher productivity, while a high proportion of dependents (children and elderly) increases the economic burden on the working population.
12. What role does literacy play in population control?
Literacy, especially among women, plays a crucial role in population control by promoting awareness about family planning, reducing fertility rates, improving child healthcare, and encouraging delayed marriages, which helps in stabilizing population growth.
13. What is rural-urban migration, and why is it common in India?
Rural-urban migration is the movement of people from rural areas to urban centers. It is common in India due to the “push” factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of facilities in rural areas, and the “pull” factors like better employment opportunities, education, and living conditions in urban areas.
14. What is the absolute increase in population?
Absolute increase in population refers to the actual number of people added to the population during a specific period, such as a decade. It is calculated by subtracting the population of the previous census from the population of the current census.
15. What are million-plus cities, and why are they increasing in India?
Million-plus cities are cities with populations exceeding one million. The number of such cities is increasing in India due to rapid urbanization, rural-to-urban migration, and the expansion of economic activities in urban areas, attracting more people in search of better opportunities.
16. What are the push and pull factors in migration?
Push factors are conditions in the place of origin that force people to leave, such as unemployment, poverty, and natural disasters. Pull factors are conditions in the destination that attract migrants, like job opportunities, better living standards, and improved healthcare.
17. Why is the dependency ratio important for economic planning?
The dependency ratio compares the number of dependents (children under 15 and elderly above 60) to the working-age population (15-59 years). A high dependency ratio means that fewer people are economically productive, which puts pressure on resources and public services, influencing economic policies and planning.
18. What is life expectancy, and how has it changed in India?
Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live. In India, life expectancy has increased over the decades due to improvements in healthcare, better living conditions, and access to clean water, contributing to overall population growth.
19. What is the significance of family planning programs in India?
Family planning programs in India aim to control the birth rate, promote smaller families, improve maternal and child health, and ensure the well-being of families. These programs play a crucial role in managing population growth and ensuring sustainable development.
20. How does population growth affect resource distribution in India?
Population growth affects resource distribution by increasing the demand for basic necessities like food, water, and housing. Rapid population growth can strain natural resources, leading to environmental degradation, scarcity of resources, and unequal access to services like education and healthcare.
MCQs: Population
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on Chapter 6 of the NCERT Class 9 Geography book “Population,” aligned with previous years’ NCERT 9th class exams and UPSC.
1. What percentage of the world’s population does India account for, according to the 2011 Census?
(a) 10%
(b) 12%
(c) 17%
(d) 20%
2. Which state is the most populous in India, according to the 2011 Census?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Bihar
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) West Bengal
3. What is the population density of India as per the 2011 Census?
(a) 250 persons per sq km
(b) 382 persons per sq km
(c) 500 persons per sq km
(d) 750 persons per sq km
4. Which of the following states has the lowest population density in India?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Sikkim
(c) Nagaland
(d) Goa
5. What was India’s population in the year 1951?
(a) 439 million
(b) 548 million
(c) 683 million
(d) 361 million
6. Which of the following is the most significant component of population growth in India?
(a) Birth rate
(b) Death rate
(c) Migration
(d) Literacy rate
7. The term ‘natural increase’ in population refers to:
(a) Migration minus death rate
(b) Birth rate minus death rate
(c) Population density minus birth rate
(d) Growth rate minus migration
8. Which of the following factors does not affect population distribution in India?
(a) Climate
(b) Water availability
(c) Soil fertility
(d) Political boundaries
9. Migration from rural to urban areas is primarily due to:
(a) Push factors like unemployment
(b) Pull factors like better living conditions
(c) Both push and pull factors
(d) Lack of resources in rural areas
10. Which component does *not* affect the size of a population?
(a) Birth rate
(b) Death rate
(c) Migration
(d) Literacy rate
11. The Census in India is conducted every:
(a) 5 years
(b) 10 years
(c) 15 years
(d) 20 years
12. What does population composition include?
(a) Birth and death rates
(b) Age, sex, and occupation structure
(c) Migration data
(d) Literacy rates only
13. What is the adolescent population’s age group in India?
(a) 0-10 years
(b) 10-19 years
(c) 19-29 years
(d) 5-14 years
14. The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 focuses on:
(a) Reducing population growth
(b) Providing free and compulsory education up to 14 years of age
(c) Promoting delayed marriage for girls
(d) All of the above
15. According to the Census, who is considered a literate person?
(a) Someone who can read and write any language with understanding
(b) Someone who can write their name
(c) Someone who knows basic arithmetic
(d) Someone who can speak two languages
16. The highest population growth rate in India was recorded during which decade?
(a) 1951-1961
(b) 1961-1971
(c) 1971-1981
(d) 1981-1991
17. What percentage of India’s population lives in rural areas, according to the 2011 Census?
(a) 50%
(b) 60%
(c) 70%
(d) 80%
18. Why has India’s population growth rate been declining since 1981?
(a) Declining birth rates
(b) Higher death rates
(c) Increased migration
(d) Economic slowdown
19. Which of the following is not a feature of the National Population Policy 2000?
(a) Universal immunization of children
(b) Promoting family welfare
(c) Encouraging early marriage for girls
(d) Reducing infant mortality rates
20. Which state had the highest population density in India as per the 2011 Census?
(a) Bihar
(b) West Bengal
(c) Kerala
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answers:
1. (c) 17%
2. (c) Uttar Pradesh
3. (b) 382 persons per sq km
4. (a) Arunachal Pradesh
5. (d) 361 million
6. (a) Birth rate
7. (b) Birth rate minus death rate
8. (d) Political boundaries
9. (c) Both push and pull factors
10. (d) Literacy rate
11. (b) 10 years
12. (b) Age, sex, and occupation structure
13. (b) 10-19 years
14. (d) All of the above
15. (a) Someone who can read and write any language with understanding
16. (c) 1971-1981
17. (c) 70%
18. (a) Declining birth rates
19. (c) Encouraging early marriage for girls
20. (a) Bihar
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1: INDIA – SIZE AND LOCATION | Chapter 2:- PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA |
| Chapter 3:- DRAINAGE | Chapter 4:- CLIMATE |
| Chapter 5:- NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE |
