Which of the following trends has really alarmed demographers, policy…

The correct answer is Option (3) → The drastic fall in the child sex ratio

Option (1) The century-long decline in the overall sex ratio — Incorrect. The fall from 972 in 1901 to 933 in 2001 is real and worrying. But it is the background; the trend that really alarmed these groups came after it.

Option (2) The fall in the overall sex ratio to an all-time low in 1991 — Incorrect. The all-time low of 927 in 1991 was part of the worrying overall trend. The overall ratio then rose a little in 2001 and to 943 in 2011, so it is not the alarming trend.

Option (3) The drastic fall in the child sex ratio — Correct. The child sex ratio is the sex ratio of the 0-6 years age group. Its drastic fall is what really alarmed demographers, policy makers, social activists and citizens.

Option (4) The rise in the age-based dependency ratio projected for 2050 — Incorrect. The dependency ratio compares the young and old who depend on others with people of working age. It is part of the age structure, and the alarm here is about the balance of girls and boys.