Arrange the following phases of population growth in India in a chronological order.
(A) Steady population growth
(B) Population explosion
(C) Stagnant or stationary growth
(D) Population growth slowing down gradually
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (A), (B), (D)
(C) Stagnant or stationary growth — first, Phase I (1901-1921). Both birth and death rates were high, so growth was very low.
(A) Steady population growth — second, Phase II (1921-1951). Better health and sanitation brought the death rate down.
(B) Population explosion — third, Phase III (1951-1981). The death rate fell fast while the birth rate stayed high.
(D) Population growth slowing down gradually — last, Phase IV (after 1981). The birth rate began to fall.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 24-05-2026 (Slot 1) and 13-05-2026 (Slot 2), in CUET (UG) 2025 on 21-05-2025 (Slot 1) and 14-05-2025 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 21-06-2023 (Slot 3), 13-06-2023 (Slot 1), 10-06-2023 (Slot 1), 02-06-2023 (Slot 2) and 23-05-2023 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2026-27): “Phase I : The period from 1901-1921 is referred to as a period of stagnant or stationary phase of growth of India’s population, since in this period growth rate was very low, even recording a negative growth rate during 1911-1921.” “Phase II : The decades 1921-1951 are referred to as the period of steady population growth.” “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.” “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).” |