The sequence of the phases of population growth in India is :
(A) Population explosion
(B) High birth rate and high death rate with poor medical services
(C) Population growth rate remained high with gradual slowing down rate
(D) Steady population growth
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (D), (A), (C)
(B) High birth rate and high death rate with poor medical services — first. In Phase I (1901-1921), both the birth rate and the death rate were high, and health and medical services were poor. Growth was stagnant.
(D) Steady population growth — second. In Phase II (1921-1951), better health and sanitation brought down the death rate.
(A) Population explosion — third. In Phase III (1951-1981), the death rate fell fast while the birth rate stayed high.
(C) Population growth rate remained high with gradual slowing down rate — fourth. In Phase IV (after 1981), the growth rate stayed high but started slowing down gradually.
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. Both the birth rate and death rate were high keeping the rate of increase low (Appendix–iii). Poor health and medical services, illiteracy of people at large and inefficient distribution system of food and other basic necessities were largely responsible for a high birth and death rates in this period.” “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).” |