MPSC Population & Census — Previous Year Questions

Maharashtra Public Service Commission has asked 13 questions on Population & Census across 5 papers (2021–2026). Every one is solved below — open a question for the answer, why it is right, and why each wrong option was written to tempt you.

MPSC's syllabus calls this Population & Settlement.

1. 2026Q27Match the following. List - I (Districts) (a) Thane (b) Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (c) Pune (d) Nandurbar List - II (2001-2011 decadal growth in population (%)) (i) 25.50 (ii) 30.4 (iii) 27.33 (iv) 35.94Answer: B
2. 2026Q40Consider the following statements : Statement-I : As per projection on 1st March 2026, the total projected population of Maharashtra is about 12.93 crore. Statement-II : During the same period, the urban population of Maharashtra is higher than its rural population. Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct ?Answer: A
3. 2026Q41Consider the following statements : (a) India's population density was higher than South-Korea in 2017. (b) India's population density was lower than Bangladesh in 2017. Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct ?Answer: B
4. 2025Q19According to the 2011 census, which Union Territory has the highest percentage of scheduled tribe population ?Answer: B
5. 2025Q20According to the 2011 census of India, the State of Rajasthan had the lowest literacy rate of _______.Answer: C
6. 2025Q27Match the Indian States/Union Territory (List – I) with their Sex-Ratio (List – II). List – I States/Union Territory a. Kerala b. Tamil Nadu c. Puducherry d. Andhra Pradesh List – II Sex-Ratio (Census – 2011) i. 996 ii. 1037 iii. 1084 iv. 993Answer: D
7. 2025Q45As per the 2011 Census, 13% of the total urban population of the country was living in which of the following cities in 2011 ? a. Mumbai b. Chennai c. Kolkata d. DelhiAnswer: B
8. 2025Q46As per the 2011 Census, India's population percentage is _______ of the total Global population.Answer: B
9. 2024Q17Which of the following is not the pattern of Urban settlement ?Answer: C
10. 2024Q21Match the correct pairs of census year and death rate in India : Year (a) 1981 (b) 1991 (c) 2001 (d) 2011 Death rate (Per 1000) (i) 15 (ii) 11 (iii) 08 (iv) 07Answer: A
11. 2024Q22Dispersed settlement have the following characteristics : (a) Dispersed settlement is found in hilly areas, grasslands, dense forests due to physical and environmental unfavourable conditions. (b) The structure of the houses in this settlement is isolated. (c) Due to rivers, mountain ranges, roads, railway lines etc. the clusters of houses are far away from each other. (d) These settlements are found in plains and fertile soil areas in India. Which of the statement given above is/are correct ?Answer: B
12. 2023Q35Consider the following statements and select the correct answer using the code given below. 1. A compact settlement is most probably surrounded by hamlets. 2. Compact settlements are not found in the Himalayan region.Answer: B
13. 2021Q20Arrange the following countries of the world having the highest density of population (Year 2012) in descending order. (a) Bangladesh (b) Singapore (c) Malta (d) Monacco (e) Mauritius (f) BaharainAnswer: C