According to the 2011 Census, which of the following States has the highest growth rate of population?
- (a)Arunachal Pradesh
- (b)Bihar
- (c)Meghalaya
- (d)Punjab
Correct — C, Meghalaya. As per the 2011 Census, Meghalaya recorded the highest decadal population growth rate (2001–2011) among India's States — well above the national average of about 17.7% — reflecting high fertility and continuing in-migration in this North-Eastern hill State.
- (a)Arunachal Pradesh — Another North-Eastern State with a high growth rate, but its decadal growth rate for 2001–2011 was lower than Meghalaya's.
- (b)Bihar — Bihar's growth rate was among the highest in mainland India (driven by high fertility), but it still trailed Meghalaya's.
- (d)Punjab — A demographically mature, lower-fertility State — its decadal growth rate was among the lowest in the country, the opposite extreme from Meghalaya.
The Census measures the decadal (10-year) population growth rate — the percentage change in a State's population between two Census years, driven by natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration. Between 2001 and 2011, several North-Eastern hill States and some high-fertility mainland States grew fastest, while States further along the demographic transition (lower fertility, more urbanised or migrant-sending) grew slowest.
Don't confuse growth RATE (percentage change) with population SIZE or DENSITY — a comparatively small State like Meghalaya can post the highest growth rate even though far larger States like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar add many more people in absolute terms.
- Meghalaya recorded the highest decadal population growth rate among Indian States, 2001–2011.
- India's national average decadal growth rate for 2001–2011 was about 17.7%.
- Punjab was among the States with the lowest decadal growth rates in this period.
- Growth rate (%) is a distinct metric from population density and absolute population size.
Census 2011: decadal population growth-rate ranking among these four States.
- Confusing highest GROWTH RATE with highest population size or highest density
- Assuming a small State cannot have the fastest-growing population
MPPSC/UPSC frequently ask 'highest/lowest [X] as per the 2011 Census' with X = growth rate, density, sex ratio or literacy — memorise the topper and the bottom-ranked State separately for each metric.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
As per the 2011 Census, India's national average decadal population growth rate (2001–2011) was closest to:
- (a)12%
- (b)17.7%
- (c)21.5%
- (d)27.8%
Answer(b) About 17.7% — the all-India decadal population growth rate, 2001–2011.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which of the following States recorded one of the LOWEST decadal population growth rates as per the 2011 Census?
- (a)Meghalaya
- (b)Bihar
- (c)Punjab
- (d)Uttar Pradesh
Answer(c) Punjab — a demographically mature, lower-fertility State with one of the lowest decadal growth rates.