Population Stabilisation Questions in English

(A) The probable factors contributing to the population explosion in India are as follows:
$(i)$ Decline in death rate,particularly the maternal mortality rate $(MMR)$ and infant mortality rate $(IMR)$.
$(ii)$ Better public health facilities and improved medical care leading to increased longevity.
$(iii)$ An increase in the number of people in the reproductive age group.
$(iv)$ Lack of awareness and education regarding reproductive health and family planning methods.
$(v)$ Social factors such as the preference for a male child and the belief that more children contribute to more labor and income for the family.

(C) According to the $2011$ census data,the world's total population reached approximately $7.2$ billion. The global population had crossed the $6$ billion mark by the year $2000$. Therefore,$7.2$ billion is the accurate figure for the $2011$ period.

(D) The growth of a population is determined by the formula: $\text{Population Growth} = \text{Birth Rate} - \text{Death Rate}$.
Better medical facilities have led to a significant decrease in the death rate.
Additionally, improved healthcare and nutrition have resulted in an increase in the average life span of individuals.
Since both the decrease in death rate and the increase in life span contribute to population growth, all the given options are correct.

(D) The world population reached the $5^{th}$ billion mark on $July \; 11, 1987$.
This day is globally recognized as World Population Day to raise awareness about population issues.

(A) The greatest biological problem currently faced by human beings is $Population \ explosion$.
Rapid growth in the human population leads to an increased demand for food,shelter,and resources,which puts immense pressure on the environment.
This overpopulation is the root cause of many other issues,including the depletion of natural resources,environmental degradation,and increased competition for basic necessities,making it the most significant challenge for human survival and sustainability.

(C) The term 'population explosion' refers to the rapid increase in the size of a human population.
This phenomenon is primarily driven by a significant decrease in the death rate (mortality rate) and an increase in maternal and infant survival rates.
These improvements are the direct result of better health care facilities,the widespread availability of vaccines,improved sanitation,and better medical treatments for diseases.
While agricultural production and job facilities contribute to economic growth,the direct biological cause of the rapid rise in population numbers is the increased life expectancy and decreased mortality due to advancements in medical science and public health care.

(B) Population explosion refers to the rapid increase in the size of a population over a relatively short period.
Rapid growth is often referred to as exponential growth. In $1700 \; AD$, the human population was about $0.6 \; \text{billion}$. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it increased to $1.6 \; \text{billion}$, and by the end of the century, the human population reached $6.1 \; \text{billion}$. This dramatic rise is termed population explosion.
To illustrate, in the $150 \; \text{years}$ from $1700 \; AD$, the human population doubled from $0.6 \; \text{billion}$ to $1.2 \; \text{billion}$. In contrast, it increased five times during the next $150 \; \text{years}$. By $2011$, it reached $7 \; \text{billion}$.

(A) The slogan '$Hum \; Do \; Humare \; Do$' encourages family planning.
With a $1.7 \%$ growth rate,India's population could double in $33 \; years$. Such an alarming growth rate could lead to an absolute scarcity of even basic requirements. Therefore,the government was forced to take serious measures to check population growth.
The most important step to overcome this problem is to motivate smaller families by using various contraceptive methods. You might have seen advertisements in the media as well as posters/bills,etc.,showing a happy couple with two children with the slogan '$Hum \; Do \; Humare \; Do$' (we two,our two).
Many couples,mostly the young,urban,working ones,have even adopted the 'one child norm'. Statutory raising of the marriageable age of the female to $18 \; years$ and that of males to $21 \; years$,and incentives given to couples with small families are other measures taken to tackle this problem.

(A) Infant mortality rate $(IMR)$ is defined as the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per $1,000$ live births.
Historically and statistically,$Sweden$ has consistently maintained one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world due to its highly advanced healthcare system,extensive prenatal and postnatal care,and high socioeconomic standards.
While $Japan$ also has a very low $IMR$,$Sweden$ is frequently cited in demographic and public health studies as having the minimum rate among the given options.

(C) The primary causes for the rapid increase in human population are:
$1$. Decline in the overall death rate due to better healthcare.
$2$. Rapid decline in Maternal Mortality Rate $(MMR)$ and Infant Mortality Rate $(IMR)$.
$3$. An increase in the number of people reaching the reproductive age group.
Therefore,statements $I$,$III$,and $IV$ are the correct causes for population growth.

(C) According to the $2001$ census,the population of India was approximately $1.02$ billion,which is equivalent to $1027$ million. This data is often cited in the context of reproductive health and population growth studies in the $NCERT$ biology curriculum.

(B) Population growth is primarily determined by the balance between birth rates and death rates. While a high birth rate contributes to growth,a significant decline in the mortality rate (death rate),particularly due to advancements in medical facilities,sanitation,and nutrition,is the most convincing reason for the rapid increase in population size. When people live longer and infant mortality decreases,the total population expands significantly even if birth rates remain stable or decline slightly.

(D) The reasons for rapid population growth are:
$(i)$ Decline in death rate.
$(ii)$ Decline in Maternal Mortality Rate $(MMR)$.
$(iii)$ Decline in Infant Mortality Rate $(IMR)$.
All these factors are significantly influenced by improved medical services and healthcare facilities. According to the $2001$ census report, population growth rate was about $1.7 \; \%$, and India's population doubled in $33 \; \text{years}$.

(C) Statement $1$ is True: According to census data,India's population is approximately one-sixth of the world's total population.
Statement $2$ is False: In India,the number of males is higher than the number of females.
As per the $2011$ Census:
Total population: $1,210,193,422$
Males: $623,724,248$
Females: $586,469,174$
The sex ratio is $940$ females per $1,000$ males. Thus,there are more males than females in India.

(A) Zero population growth is theoretically achieved when each couple has two children,replacing themselves.
However,in large,developing,and democratic nations like India,the population momentum (due to a large proportion of the population in the reproductive age group) means that even if the replacement level is reached,the population will continue to grow for several decades.
Therefore,to achieve zero population growth as early as possible,it is necessary to reduce the fertility rate even further than the replacement level (two children per couple).
Thus,both statements are true,and $Statement \; 2$ provides the logical reasoning for the necessity stated in $Statement \; 1$.

(A) Statement $1$ is true because the doubling time of the human population has significantly decreased due to various factors.
Statement $2$ is also true. Better medical services,along with improved food security,play a major role in increasing the population.
We now have vaccines for almost all dreadful diseases affecting infants and have discovered various methods to combat diseases like $TB$,plague,and malaria,which were considered fatal in the past.
Therefore,the rapid increase in population is directly attributed to these improved health facilities and reduced mortality rates,making Statement $2$ the correct explanation for Statement $1$.

(C) $Statement 1$ is true because rapid population growth is a major challenge for developing nations.
$Statement 2$ is false because over-population actually leads to the depletion (exhaustion) of natural resources, in addition to causing unemployment and increased pollution levels.

(B) According to the $2001$ census data,the population growth rate in India was approximately $1.7\;\%$.
Note: The value $2.1\;\%$ mentioned in some contexts refers to the growth rate observed during the period $1965-1970$.

(A) World Population Day is observed on $11^{th} July$ every year to raise awareness about global population issues.
$7^{th} April$ is observed as World Health Day.
$21^{st} September$ is observed as World Alzheimer's Day.

(B) Developing countries are characterized by specific demographic features:
$1$. High fertility rate: Birth rates remain relatively high in many developing nations.
$2$. Very young age distribution: $A$ large proportion of the population consists of children and young adults.
$3$. Rapid population growth: Due to the combination of high fertility and declining mortality,the population increases quickly.
$4$. Rapidly falling mortality rate: Due to advancements in healthcare,sanitation,and hygiene,the death rate has significantly decreased.
Therefore,the correct features are $(a), (c), (d),$ and $(e)$.

(C) The rapid increase in population is primarily due to a decline in death rates.
$MMR$ (Maternal Mortality Rate) and $IMR$ (Infant Mortality Rate) have significantly decreased due to improved medical facilities and healthcare access.
Furthermore,the overall death rate has fallen due to better personal hygiene,sanitation,and the availability of modern medicines.
While the number of people in the reproductive age group has increased (which contributes to population growth),the specific factors listed as a 'decline' that directly lead to a population explosion are $MMR$,$IMR$,and the overall death rate.
Therefore,the correct combination is $A, B, \& \; D$.

(A) The population of India reached the one billion mark in May $2000$.
This rapid population growth is primarily attributed to a significant decline in the death rate,$MMR$ (Maternal Mortality Rate),and $IMR$ (Infant Mortality Rate) due to improved healthcare,sanitation,and personal hygiene.
Additionally,an increase in the number of individuals reaching reproductive age has contributed to this growth.
Therefore,both the Assertion and the Reason are correct,and the Reason provides a valid explanation for the Assertion.

(C) The Assertion '$A$' is a demographic fact based on global population statistics,where approximately $1/6$th of the world's population resides in India.
The Reason '$R$' is incorrect because life expectancy is defined as the average number of years a person is expected to live,based on current mortality rates. It does not 'depend' on the average life span; rather,it is a statistical measure of it. Therefore,the statement is scientifically inaccurate in its causal phrasing.

(C) The tremendous increase in the size and growth of a population in a short period is known as population explosion.

(B) According to the data provided in the $NCERT$ Biology textbook (Chapter: Reproductive Health),the global population trends are as follows:
$1$. In $1900$,the world population was approximately $2$ billion.
$2$. By the year $2000$,it increased rapidly to $6$ billion.
$3$. By $2011$,it reached $7.2$ billion.
Therefore,the correct sequence is $2, 6, 7.2$.

(A) According to the $NCERT$ textbook for Class $12$ Biology,Chapter $4$ (Reproductive Health),the population of India at the time of independence was approximately $0.35$ billion.
This population reached near $1$ billion by the year $2000$.
By the year $2011$,the population of India crossed $1.2$ billion.
Therefore,the correct sequence is $0.35, 1, 1.2$.

(D) The rapid increase in population,often referred to as population explosion,is primarily driven by several factors:
$1$. $A$ significant decrease in the Maternal Mortality Rate $(MMR)$ due to better healthcare facilities.
$2$. $A$ significant decrease in the Infant Mortality Rate $(IMR)$ due to improved medical care and immunization.
$3$. An increase in the number of people reaching the reproductive age group,which leads to a higher birth rate.
Since all these factors contribute to the rapid growth of the population,the correct answer is $D$.

(C) The population in India,which was approximately $350$ million at the time of independence,reached close to the $1$ billion mark by the year $2000$ and crossed $1.2$ billion in May $2011$.

(B) Population explosion is primarily caused by a rapid increase in the human population size.
This is driven by a significant decline in death rates,including a reduction in maternal mortality rate $(MMR)$ and infant mortality rate $(IMR)$,while birth rates remain relatively high.
Therefore,the correct option is $(B)$.