Consider the following statements:
1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
1. Statement 1: The density of the population of India according to Census 1951 was 117 persons per sq km. According to Census 2001, it was 325 persons per sq km. The increase is 325/117 ≈ 2.78 times. This is less than 'more than three times'. Statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Statement 2: The average annual (exponential) growth rate of population of India between 1941-1951 was 1.25%. Between 1991-2001, it was 1.95%. While the growth rate increased significantly in the intervening decades (peaking around 2.22% in 1961-71/1971-81), it did not double between Census 1951 and Census 2001 overall (i.e., the rate in 2001 was not double the rate in 1951). Statement 2 is incorrect.
3. Neither statement is correct.