CBSE Class 12 Geography NCERT Solutions: Chapter 1 - Population

(i) The correct option is (d) 1210 million. As per the Census of India 2011, the total population of India was recorded at 1.21 billion, which is equivalent to 1210 million.

(ii) The correct option is (a) West Bengal. Among the given states, West Bengal has a very high population density due to its fertile plains and significant industrial and urban centers.

(iii) The correct option is (d) Goa. While the source indicates Tamil Nadu, other sources and common knowledge point to Goa having the highest proportion of urban population. However, adhering strictly to the provided answer, it is (a) Tamil Nadu. Re-evaluating based on common knowledge and typical NCERT context, Kerala often shows a high proportion of urban population. Given the ambiguity and potential error in the source's answer key for (iii), and the explicit mention of Kerala in the source's longer answer for Q3(i) regarding high density, we will use the provided answer (a) Tamil Nadu for consistency with the source's explicit answer key, while noting potential discrepancies. For the purpose of this exercise, we will follow the provided answer key: (a) Tamil Nadu. (Note: Standard data often places Goa or Maharashtra higher, but we follow the provided answer.)

(iv) The correct option is (b) Indo-Aryan. The Indo-Aryan language family is the largest linguistic group in India, spoken by a significant majority of the population.

(i) Climate significantly influences population distribution. Extreme temperatures (very hot and dry or very cold and wet) make regions less habitable, leading to low population density. Moderate climates, conversely, support larger populations by facilitating agriculture and settlement.

(ii) States like Bihar and Sikkim are noted for their large rural populations. The primary reason for this is their strong dependence on agriculture as the main source of livelihood for the majority of their residents.

(iii) Some states exhibit higher work participation rates because they are economically less developed. These regions often lack sufficient infrastructure and facilities, necessitating a larger manual labor force for various jobs.

(iv) The agricultural sector employs the largest share of Indian workers, accounting for 54.6% of the total workforce. This indicates that a substantial portion of the population is directly or indirectly involved in farming activities, underscoring India's agrarian nature.

(i) The spatial pattern of population density in India shows significant variations. As per the 2011 census, India's average population density is 382 persons per sq. km. Regions with rugged terrain and unfavorable climates, such as the Himalayan states and North-Eastern states (excluding Assam), generally have low densities. Conversely, the plains of North India, including states like Bihar (1102 persons/sq. km), West Bengal (1029 persons/sq. km), and Uttar Pradesh (828 persons/sq. km), exhibit very high densities. Peninsular states like Kerala (859 persons/sq. km) and Tamil Nadu (555 persons/sq. km) also show high densities. Union Territories, excluding Andaman and Nicobar Islands, generally have very high densities, with Delhi-NCR being the most densely populated area (11,297 persons/sq. km). Moderate densities are found in states like Assam, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

(ii) The occupational structure of India's population refers to the distribution of the workforce across different economic sectors. In India, the primary sector, which includes cultivators and agricultural laborers, engages the largest proportion of workers, approximately 54.6% of the total workforce. The tertiary sector, encompassing non-household industries, trade, commerce, construction, repair, and other services, accounts for a significant 41.6% of workers. The secondary sector, including household industries, accounts for a smaller share, around 3.8%. A high proportion of the labor force engaged in agriculture is typically associated with countries having a low real per capita income, while a high proportion in the tertiary sector often correlates with higher per capita income.