As per Census 2011, which of the following states has the highest density of population?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Bihar
Density of population is the number of people living per square kilometre of area. As per Census 2011, the four states have these densities:
Bihar: 1,106 persons per sq km
Uttar Pradesh: 829 persons per sq km
Madhya Pradesh: 236 persons per sq km
Uttarakhand: 189 persons per sq km
Bihar is the most densely populated state of India, almost three times the all-India figure of 382 persons per sq km. A very large population lives on the fertile plains of the Ganga in a state of fairly small area.
Tip: Among all states and Union territories, the NCT of Delhi had the highest density in Census 2011 (11,320 persons per sq km); among states, Arunachal Pradesh had the lowest (17).
Note: NTA dropped this question in its Final Answer Key. The original NTA paper printed the question as ‘Which state or Union territories has higher life expectancy?’, with the options Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It named no source or period, spoke of Union territories though all four options are states, and different surveys rank Punjab and Uttarakhand differently. For the benefit of students and to ensure a single answer, the question has been changed to ‘As per Census 2011, which of the following states has the highest density of population?’, and Option (1) has been changed from Punjab to Bihar.