Out of the following which one cannot be categorised under 'Preventive checks' ?

Famines

The correct answer is Option (3) → Famines

According to Malthusian theory, checks on population growth are of two types:

1. Preventive checks – These are voluntary methods to limit population growth . Examples include: Postponing marriage, celibacy, Use of contraceptives

2. Positive checks – These increase the death rate. Examples include: Famines, Diseases, Wars

Famines, being an involuntary and destructive force that increases mortality, fall under positive checks, not preventive checks.