Identify the features of phase IV of growth of population in India.
A. Growth rate started slowing down gradually.
B. There is a downward trend of crude birth rate.
C. Period of population explosion in India.
D. Increase in the mean age at marriage.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, B and D only
The growth of India’s population since 1901 is divided into four phases. Phase IV covers the years from 1981 till the present.
A. Growth rate started slowing down gradually. — Correct. After 1981 the growth rate stayed high, but it started slowing down gradually.
B. There is a downward trend of crude birth rate. — Correct. A downward trend of the crude birth rate is held responsible for this slower growth.
C. Period of population explosion in India. — Incorrect. The population explosion belongs to Phase III (1951-1981), when the death rate fell fast but the fertility rate stayed high. NTA moved a Phase III line into Phase IV, and a true line became false. Read every word before you mark the answer.
D. Increase in the mean age at marriage. — Correct. The fall in the birth rate was in turn affected by an increase in the mean age at marriage and better education of females.
NCERT (2026-27): “Phase IV : In the post 1981 till present, the growth rate of country’s population though remained high, has started slowing down gradually (Table 1.1). A downward trend of crude birth rate is held responsible for such a population growth. This was, in turn, affected by an increase in the mean age at marriage, improved quality of life particularly education of females in the country.” “Phase III : The decades 1951-1981 are referred to as the period of population explosion in India, which was caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but a high fertility rate of population in the country.” |