1. Introduction | Class 9 Contemporary India Chapter 6 Population Notes

Hello students! In this chapter (Class 9 Contemporary India Chapter 6 Population Notes), we will understand one of the most important topics of geography — population. Imagine a world without people. There would be no use of resources, no development, and no society. This shows that human beings are the most important resource.

Population plays a key role in shaping the economy, society, and environment. People not only use resources but also create them with the help of knowledge and technology. For example, coal was just a rock until humans found ways to use it as a source of energy.

Population also gives meaning to natural events. A flood or earthquake becomes a disaster only when it affects people. Therefore, population is the central point for studying all aspects of geography.

2. Population Size and Distribution

India is the second most populous country in the world. According to the Census of 2011, India had a population of about 1.21 billion people. This means India has more than 17% of the world’s population, even though it occupies only about 2.4% of the world’s land area.

This clearly shows that population in India is very high compared to its size. However, this population is not evenly distributed. Some areas have a very high population, while others have very low population.

For example, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, while states like Sikkim and union territories like Lakshadweep have very small populations.

Almost half of India’s population lives in just five states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. These states have better resources, fertile land, and more job opportunities.

3. Population Density

Population density is an important concept that helps us understand how crowded a place is. It is calculated as the number of persons living per square kilometer.

India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. In 2011, the average population density was 382 persons per square kilometer.

However, this density is not the same everywhere. Some states have very high density, while others have very low density. For example, Bihar has very high population density, while Arunachal Pradesh has very low density.

The distribution of population depends on many factors. Areas with fertile soil, good climate, flat land, and availability of water attract more people. That is why the Northern Plains and Kerala have high population density.

On the other hand, areas with mountains, deserts, or harsh climate conditions have low population density. These areas include the Himalayan region and desert areas.

4. Population Growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people over a period of time. India’s population has been increasing continuously over the years.

In 1951, India’s population was about 361 million. By 2011, it had increased to 1210 million. This shows a rapid increase in population.

Population growth can be understood in two ways:

1. Absolute Growth: It is the total number of people added in a specific period.
2. Growth Rate: It is the percentage increase in population per year.

Between 1951 and 1981, the growth rate was increasing. After 1981, the growth rate started decreasing, but the total population continued to grow because the base population was already very large.

5. Processes of Population Change

Population does not remain constant. It changes continuously due to three main processes:

1. Birth Rate: Birth rate means the number of live births per 1000 people in a year. In India, birth rates have generally been higher than death rates, which leads to population growth.

2. Death Rate: Death rate means the number of deaths per 1000 people in a year. In recent years, death rates have declined due to better medical facilities, improved sanitation, and better living conditions.

3. Migration: Migration means movement of people from one place to another. It can be internal (within the country) or international (between countries).

The difference between birth rate and death rate is called natural increase of population.

6. Migration

Migration plays an important role in changing population distribution. It does not always change the total population of a country, but it changes how population is spread across regions.

In India, most migration happens from rural areas to urban areas. This happens because of two main reasons:

Push Factors: Lack of jobs, poverty, and poor living conditions in villages.
Pull Factors: Better job opportunities, education, and living standards in cities.

Migration leads to an increase in urban population. It also changes the age and gender composition of the population.

7. Adolescent Population and National Policy

Adolescents are people in the age group of 10 to 19 years. They form about one-fifth of India’s population, which makes them very important for the country’s future.

Adolescents require proper nutrition, education, and health care. However, many adolescents, especially girls, suffer from problems like poor nutrition and anemia.

To improve population conditions, the Government of India introduced the National Population Policy in 2000. This policy focuses on:

– Providing free and compulsory education up to 14 years
– Reducing infant mortality rate
– Promoting family planning
– Improving health services
– Delaying marriage age for girls

This policy aims to improve the quality of life and control population growth.

8. Key Takeaways

• Population is the most important resource of a country.
• India has more than 17% of the world’s population.
• Population distribution is uneven across regions.
• Population density shows number of people per square kilometer.
• Population growth depends on birth rate, death rate, and migration.
• Migration changes population distribution and increases urbanization.
• Adolescents are important for future development.
• National Population Policy 2000 focuses on improving population quality.

8. Practice Section: Master the Chapter!

Test your understanding with these questions.

Part A: True or False (10 Questions)

1. Population gives meaning to resources.
2. India has less than 10% of world population.
3. Population distribution is even in India.
4. Population density is persons per sq km.
5. Himalayan regions have high population density.
6. Birth rate affects population growth.
7. Death rate has decreased in India.
8. Migration affects population distribution.
9. Adolescents are aged 10–19 years.
10. National Population Policy was introduced in 2000.

Part B: Multiple Choice Questions (10 Questions)

1. Population density means:
   
   A) total area
   
   B) persons per sq km
   
   C) rainfall
   
   D) soil
2. India’s population in 2011 was:
   
   A) 500 million
   
   B) 1.21 billion
   
   C) 2 billion
   
   D) 800 million
3. Which state has high population density?
   
   A) Bihar
   
   B) Arunachal Pradesh
   
   C) Sikkim
   
   D) Ladakh
4. Population growth depends on:
   
   A) climate
   
   B) soil
   
   C) birth, death, migration
   
   D) rivers
5. Migration means:
   
   A) rainfall
   
   B) farming
   
   C) movement of people
   
   D) trade
6. Adolescents belong to age group:
   
   A) 5-10
   
   B) 10-19
   
   C) 20-30
   
   D) 30-40
7. Death rate has:
   
   A) increased
   
   B) decreased
   
   C) stayed same
   
   D) doubled
8. Urban population increases due to:
   
   A) migration
   
   B) rainfall
   
   C) soil
   
   D) forests
9. National Population Policy was introduced in:
   
   A) 1990
   
   B) 2000
   
   C) 2010
   
   D) 1980
10. Population is important because:
    
    A) it creates resources
    
    B) it destroys resources
    
    C) it has no role
    
    D) none

Part C: Short Answer Questions (5 Questions)

1. What is population?
2. Define population density.
3. What is birth rate?
4. What is migration?
5. Who are adolescents?

Part D: Long Answer Questions (5 Questions)

1. Explain population distribution in India.
2. Describe population growth in India.
3. Explain factors of population change.
4. What is migration and its importance?
5. Explain National Population Policy.