On the second group's map, India comes next after which countries in…

Students of a Class 12 section in Lucknow are preparing a wall exhibition on how diverse the Indian nation-state is. The first group plans a chart of the languages that the Constitution officially recognises, so that visitors can see which languages enjoy a guaranteed legal status. The second group is preparing a world map of religious communities. While shading the countries with the largest Muslim populations, they find that India itself must be marked among the top countries, ahead of most of the world. Their teacher asks both groups to check each fact before the exhibition opens.

On the second group's map, India comes next after which countries in the size of its Muslim population?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Indonesia and Pakistan

Option (1) Indonesia and Bangladesh — Incorrect. Indonesia is one of the two countries ahead of India. Bangladesh has fewer Muslims than India, so the second country ahead is Pakistan.

Option (2) Pakistan and Bangladesh — Incorrect. Pakistan is one of the two countries ahead of India. Bangladesh is not, because the other country with more Muslims is Indonesia.

Option (3) Indonesia and Pakistan — Correct. About 14.2% of India's people are Muslims. Because India's total population is so large, this small share makes India the largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan.

Option (4) Indonesia and Egypt — Incorrect. Indonesia is right, but Egypt has fewer Muslims than India. The second country ahead of India is Pakistan.

NCERT (2026-27): “Cultural Diversity and India as a Nation-state
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, currently the second largest – and soon to become the largest – national population in the world. These billion-plus people speak about 1,632 different languages and dialects. As many as twenty two of these languages have been officially recognised and placed under the 8 Schedule of the Constitution, thus guaranteeing their legal status. In terms of religion, about 80% of the population are Hindus, who in turn are regionally specific, plural in beliefs and practices, and divided by castes and languages. About 14.2% of the population are Muslims, which makes India the world’s second largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan. …”