According to Census 2011, what was the level of urbanisation (in per cent) in India’s total population of 1.21 billion?
- (a)33.15 %
- (b)32.15 %
- (c)30.15 %
- (d)31.15 %
Correct — D, 31.15%. As per Census 2011, out of India's total population of about 1.21 billion, roughly this share lived in urban areas — a rise from around 28% in Census 2001, one of the sharpest decadal increases in India's urban share on record.
- (a)33.15 % — Higher than the recorded Census 2011 urbanisation figure.
- (b)32.15 % — Close to, but not, the figure accepted for Census 2011.
- (c)30.15 % — Slightly below the recorded Census 2011 urbanisation level.
Census 2011 recorded India's urban population share at just over 31% of the total 1.21 billion — a milestone decade because, for the first time in independent India's census history, the absolute increase in urban population outpaced the absolute increase in rural population.
Exams test recall of Census 2011's headline statistics — total population, sex ratio, literacy rate and urbanisation share are the figures most commonly asked, and answer options are usually spaced closely together, so precise recall matters.
- Census 2011: India's total population was about 1.21 billion (121 crore)
- Urbanisation level was just over 31% of the total population
- Up from around 28% in Census 2001 — a sharp decadal rise
- Census 2011 was independent India's 7th, and so far most recent, decadal census
- Confusing the urbanisation percentage with the literacy rate or sex ratio figures from the same census
- Mixing up the Census 2001 and Census 2011 urbanisation percentages
MPPSC and UPSC both favour direct 'as per Census 2011, what was X (%)' recall questions on population, sex ratio, literacy and urbanisation, often testing precision to two decimal places.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
As per Census 2011, which of the following statements about India's urban population is correct?
- (a)It declined compared to Census 2001
- (b)It crossed 31% of the total population for the first time
- (c)It exceeded the rural population
- (d)It was highest in Bihar
Answer(b) It crossed 31% of the total population for the first time — the sharpest rise in India's urban share on record up to that census.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which of the following is a criterion the Indian Census uses to classify a settlement as a 'Census Town'?
- (a)Presence of a municipal corporation
- (b)Population density of at least 400 persons per sq km
- (c)State capital status
- (d)Presence of a district headquarters
Answer(b) Population density of at least 400 persons per sq km — Census Towns are identified by population size, worker composition and density, not by statutory (municipal) status.