Choose the district of Rajasthan which had the lowest decadal population growth rate between 2001-2011.

Correct — option (2), Sri Ganganagar.

Census 2011 puts Sri Ganganagar's decadal population growth for 2001–2011 at 10.0 percent, the lowest of Rajasthan's 33 districts. Rajasthan's Economic Review 2022-23 reprints these Census figures district by district.

The four options on that table: Sri Ganganagar 10.0 percent, Pali 11.9 percent, Bundi 15.4 percent and Barmer 32.5 percent.

The state as a whole grew 21.3 percent in the same decade, and India 17.7 percent. Sri Ganganagar's growth was under half the state rate.

Barmer sits at the other end: its 32.5 percent was the highest of any district, with Jaisalmer (31.8 percent) next.

Lowest growth, 2001–2011: Sri Ganganagar, 10.0 percent. Highest: Barmer, 32.5 percent.

Why the others are wrong

• (1)
  Barmer — Barmer is the opposite extreme. Its 2001–2011 decadal growth was 32.5 percent, the highest of any district in Rajasthan in Census 2011.

  A question on the fastest-growing district would have Barmer as its answer; this one asks for the slowest.

• (3)
  Pali — Pali's growth was low, 11.9 percent, but it was only the third-lowest district.

  Sri Ganganagar (10.0 percent) and Jhunjhunu (11.7 percent) both grew more slowly, so Pali cannot be the lowest.

• (4)
  Bundi — Bundi grew 15.4 percent, below the state's 21.3 percent but well above Sri Ganganagar's 10.0 percent.

  It was the fourth-lowest district, after Sri Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu and Pali.

The decadal growth rate is the percentage change in population between two censuses ten years apart: population in 2011 minus population in 2001, divided by population in 2001, times 100.

Rajasthan's Census 2011 population was 6,85,48,437. Its decadal growth for 2001–2011 was 21.3 percent, against 17.7 percent for India.

District rates varied widely around that figure, from 10.0 percent in Sri Ganganagar to 32.5 percent in Barmer.

Key facts

• Census 2011: Sri Ganganagar's decadal growth for 2001–2011 was 10.0%, the lowest of Rajasthan's 33 districts.
• Census 2011: Barmer's decadal growth for 2001–2011 was 32.5%, the highest; Jaisalmer was next at 31.8%.
• The four lowest district growth rates, 2001–2011: Sri Ganganagar 10.0%, Jhunjhunu 11.7%, Pali 11.9%, Bundi 15.4%.
• Rajasthan's decadal growth for 2001–2011 was 21.3%, against 17.7% for India.
• Rajasthan's population in Census 2011 was 6,85,48,437, with a density of 200 persons per sq km.

Common traps

• Barmer is the answer to the opposite question. Read whether the stem asks for the lowest or the highest growth.
• Jhunjhunu (11.7%) and Pali (11.9%) sit close to Sri Ganganagar (10.0%). Only the figures separate the three lowest districts.
• Growth is not density. Sri Ganganagar grew slowest but was denser (179 per sq km) than Barmer (92), which grew fastest.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which district of Rajasthan recorded the highest decadal population growth rate during 2001–2011 ?

  • (a)Jaisalmer
  • (b)Barmer
  • (c)Jodhpur
  • (d)Banswara
  Answer(2) — Census 2011 gives Barmer 32.5%, the highest in the state. Option (1), Jaisalmer, is a close second at 31.8%. Option (3), Jodhpur, recorded 27.7%, and option (4), Banswara, 26.5%.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  Arrange the following districts of Rajasthan in ascending order of decadal population growth rate during 2001–2011 : A. Pali B. Bundi C. Sri Ganganagar D. Jhunjhunu

  • (a)C, D, A, B
  • (b)C, A, D, B
  • (c)D, C, A, B
  • (d)C, D, B, A
  Answer(1) — Sri Ganganagar 10.0%, Jhunjhunu 11.7%, Pali 11.9%, Bundi 15.4%. Option (2) puts Pali (11.9%) before Jhunjhunu (11.7%). Option (3) puts Jhunjhunu before Sri Ganganagar. Option (4) puts Bundi (15.4%) before Pali (11.9%).