The Census of India, 1991, defines urban settlements as all places which have the following:
(A) Have a minimum population of 5000 persons
(B) At least 75 percent of male workers are engaged in non-agricultural pursuits
(C) People derive their life support from land-based economic activities
(D) Density of population is at least 400 persons per square kilometer
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
A place is urban when most of its people do non-farm work and live close together in large numbers.
(A) Have a minimum population of 5000 persons — Correct. A town must have at least 5,000 people.
(B) At least 75 percent of male workers are engaged in non-agricultural pursuits — Correct. Most men in a town work in industry, trade and services, not in farming.
(C) People derive their life support from land-based economic activities — Incorrect. Land-based activities such as farming support rural settlements. Urban settlements depend on secondary and tertiary activities.
(D) Density of population is at least 400 persons per square kilometer — Correct. People in a town live closely, at 400 or more persons per sq km.
NCERT (2026-27):
Box: Urban Settlements |
