Population & Human Settlements – NDA Geography PYQs

Question 1 [NDA 2006-I]
Correct sequence of states in decreasing order of population (Census 2001):
(a) Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka-Tamil Nadu
(b) Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka
(c) Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh
(d) Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka

Answer: (b) Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka
Among the southern states in Census 2001, Andhra Pradesh had the largest population, followed by Tamil Nadu, then Karnataka.

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Question 2 [NDA 2007-I]
Among Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan — which has more population?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Odisha
(d) Rajasthan

Answer: (d) Rajasthan
Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area and has a larger population than Gujarat, MP, and Odisha.

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Question 3 [NDA 2007-II]
Which state recorded the highest population growth rate during 1991-2001?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Nagaland
(d) Sikkim

Answer: (c) Nagaland
Nagaland recorded the highest population growth rate during 1991-2001 — though later it was found some figures were inflated.

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Question 4 [NDA 2008-I]
Among Mizoram, West Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab — which has the highest literacy rate?
(a) Mizoram
(b) West Bengal
(c) Gujarat
(d) Punjab

Answer: (a) Mizoram
Among these four states, Mizoram has the highest literacy rate — consistently one of the top two states in India (after Kerala). Mizoram’s high literacy is due to the strong role of Christian missionaries in education.

Question 5 [NDA 2016-I]
Statement I: India has wide variation in population density.
Statement II: Factors like agricultural productivity and history of settlements have greatly influenced population density.

(a) Both true; II explains I
(b) Both true; II does not explain I
(c) I true; II false
(d) I false; II true

Answer: (a) Both true; II explains I
Both statements are correct. India’s population density varies enormously — from over 1000/sq km in Bihar to under 20/sq km in Arunachal Pradesh. Agricultural productivity (making the Gangetic plains densely populated) and historical settlement patterns (ancient civilisations along rivers) correctly explain this variation.

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Question 6 [NDA 2017-I]
Which pair of Tribe and State is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Tharu: Madhya Pradesh
(b) Adi: Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Irula: Kerala
(d) Shaharia: Rajasthan

Answer: (a) Tharu: Madhya Pradesh
The Tharu tribe lives in the Terai region of UP and Uttarakhand — NOT Madhya Pradesh. Adi people are from Arunachal Pradesh. Irula are from the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu/Kerala border — technically TN, but Kerala is partially acceptable). Shaharia are from Rajasthan.

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Question 7 [NDA 2017-II]
Which one of the following tribal groups is dominantly found in the Blue Mountains?
(a) Lambadas
(b) Gonds
(c) Jarawas
(d) Todas

Answer: (d) Todas
The “Blue Mountains” is a translation of “Nilgiri” (Neel = blue; Giri = mountains). The Toda tribe is the indigenous people of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. They are known for their distinctive barrel-shaped houses and pastoral lifestyle.

Question 8 [NDA 2018-II]
Correct descending order of sex ratio among northeastern states (Census 2011):
(a) Mizoram-Manipur-Tripura-Meghalaya
(b) Tripura-Manipur-Meghalaya-Mizoram
(c) Meghalaya-Manipur-Mizoram-Tripura
(d) Manipur-Meghalaya-Tripura-Mizoram

Answer: (c) Meghalaya-Manipur-Mizoram-Tripura
Among the given northeastern states, Meghalaya has the highest sex ratio (more females per 1000 males), followed by Manipur, then Mizoram, then Tripura.

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Question 9 [NDA 2018-II]
Which Indian State recorded negative population growth as per Census 2011?
(a) Manipur
(b) Mizoram
(c) Tripura
(d) Nagaland

Answer: (d) Nagaland
Nagaland recorded negative population growth in the 2011 Census — the only state to do so. The population actually declined because earlier census figures had been significantly inflated. When the correct count was done, it appeared the population had shrunk.

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Question 10 [NDA 2019-I]
The Shompens are the vulnerable tribal group of:
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Odisha
(c) West Bengal
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Answer: (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Shompen (also spelled Shompens) are an indigenous tribe living in the interior of Great Nicobar Island. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Their population is very small and they have limited contact with the outside world.