In India, the decades 1951-81 are referred to as which phase of population growth?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Period of population explosion
Option (1) Stationary phase of growth of population — Incorrect. This was Phase I, 1901-1921, when both birth and death rates were high and growth was very low, even negative in 1911-1921.
Option (2) Period of population explosion — Correct. The decades 1951-1981 (Phase III) saw a rapid fall in the mortality rate while fertility stayed high. The average annual growth rate went as high as 2.2 per cent.
Option (3) Period of steady population growth — Incorrect. This was Phase II, 1921-1951, when better health and sanitation brought down the death rate.
Option (4) Phase of slowing down of population growth — Incorrect. This is Phase IV, after 1981, when a falling birth rate began to slow the growth gradually.
NCERT (2025-26): “Growth of Population 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.…” “Growth of Population … Phase II : The decades 1921-1951 are referred to as the period of steady population growth.…” “Growth of Population … 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.…” “Growth of Population … 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).…” |