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Topic Population Density
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 31 years (1987–2018), peaking in 1987.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 1987
- Recurs across 3 years (1987–2018)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1987 → CDS 2018
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 3) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2018
Which one of the following is the correct ascending sequence of States in terms of their population density as per Census 2011?
- A Arunachal Pradesh—Sikkim—Mizoram—Himachal Pradesh
- B Arunachal Pradesh—Mizoram—Sikkim—Himachal Pradesh ✓
- C Mizoram—Arunachal Pradesh—Himachal Pradesh—Sikkim
- D Arunachal Pradesh—Himachal Pradesh—Sikkim—Mizoram
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Population & Settlement
CSE2003
Which amongst the following States has the highest population density as per Census-2001:
- A Kerala
- B Madhya Pradesh
- C Uttar Pradesh
- D West Bengal ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Population & Settlement
CSE1987
Physiological population density is the ratio of
- A Total population to total arable land ✓
- B Total population to total irrigated land area
- C Total population to urban land area
- D Total population to rural land area
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Population & Settlement
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