Read the passage and answer the following questions:
The Indian nation-state is socially and culturally one of the most diverse countries of the world. It has a population of about 1.21 billion people, according to Census of India 2011 (Provisional), currently the second largest-and soon to become the largest-national population in the world. These billion-plus people speak about 632 different languages and dialects. As many as eighteen of these languages have been officially recognised and placed under the 8th schedule of the Constitution thus guaranteeing their legal status. In terms of religion, about 80.5% of the population are Hindus, who in turn are regionally specific, plural in beliefs and practices, and divided by castes and languages. About 13.4% of the population are Muslims which makes India the world's third largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan. The other major religious communities are Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.9%), Buddhists (0.8%) and Jains (0.4%). Because of India's huge population, these small percentages can also add up to large absolute numbers.
An Alternative to the nation-state where various 'nations' - ethnic, religious, linguistic or indigenous identities- can coexist peacefully is called:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → State-Nation
Option (1) State-Nation — Correct. An alternative to the nation-state is the “state nation”, where various “nations” — be they ethnic, religious, linguistic or indigenous identities — can co-exist peacefully and cooperatively in a single state polity. Such a state ends the cultural exclusion of diverse groups and builds multiple and complementary identities, a feeling of unity in diversity.
NCERT: Indian Society — Chapter 6: The Challenges of Cultural Diversity, Box 6.2 (2025-26)
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