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Part-I Indian Society
Class 12 Sociology Chapter 2 Demographic Structure of Indian Society
Textual Questions & Answers
Q.1. Explain the main arguments of the Demographic Transition Theory. Why is the period of change related to the population explosion?
Ans: According to the Demographic Transition Theory, the birth rate and death rate of a society change at different stages of socio-economic development. There are three main stages:
In the first stage, both the birth rate and death rate are high.
In the second stage, due to improvements in medical care, nutrition, and sanitation, the death rate declines rapidly, but the birth rate remains high.
In the third stage, the birth rate also gradually declines and the population becomes stable.
In the second stage, because the death rate decreases while the birth rate remains high, the population increases suddenly. This situation is called a“population explosion”. Therefore, population explosion is related to the second stage of demographic transition.
Q.2. Why did Malthus believe that famine and epidemics were inevitable factors of mass mortality?
Ans: Thomas Robert Malthus believed that population increases in ageometric rate, whereas food production increases in an arithmetic rate. Therefore, when population becomes excessive, natural events such as famine,
epidemics, and wars control the population. He called these “Positive Checks”. According to him, these factors are inevitable because they reduce excess population and bring balance to society.
Q.3. What is meant by birth rate and death rate? Why has the birth rate declined relatively slowly where as the death rate has declined rapidly? Explain.
Ans: Birth rate means the number of births per thousand people within a specific period of time. Death rate means the number of deaths per thousand people within a specific period of time. Due to improvements in medical facilities, vaccination, clean drinking water, and nutrition, the death rate has declined rapidly. However, the decline in birth rate requires changes in social attitudes, women’s education, and family planning, which take more time. Therefore, the birth rate declines more slowly.
Q.4. In which states of India is population growth near there placement level? In which states is the population growth rate still high? What are the reasons for regional differences?
Ans: In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, population growth is near the replacement level. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the population growth rate is still high. The reasons for regional differences include level of education, female literacy, health services, poverty, urbanization, and social awareness.
Q.5. What is meant by the age structure of population? Why is it important for economic development?
Ans: The age structure of population refers to the proportion of people in different age groups. Generally, the population is divided into three groups:
0–14 years, 15–59 years, and 60 years and above. If the proportion of working age population is higher, productivity increases. This situation is known as the Demographic Dividend. Therefore, age structure is important for economic development.
Q.6. What is meant by sex ratio? What are the causes of the decline in sex ratio?
Ans: Sex ratio means the number of females per thousand males. The causes of the decline in sex ratio are:
(a) Harmful practices such as female foeticide
(b) Preference for male children
(c) Neglect of women’s health
(d) Social inequality Even today, in some places, male children are given priority because it is believed that sons carry forward the family name and support parents in old age. This attitude reduces gender equality in society.
Q.7. What measures has India adopted to control population? Explain.
Ans: India has taken pioneering steps in the field of population control. In 1952, India became the first country to officially launch a National Family Planning Programme. Its main objective was to control the rate of population growth and ensure socio-economic development. In India, measures such as distribution of contraceptives, sterilization campaigns, and increasing awareness about birth control have been adopted.
The government has promoted the concept of “Small family, happy family”and emphasized the two-child norm. Along with this, steps such as expanding women’s education, improving maternal and child health services, and establishing primary health centres have also been taken. All these measures have helped in gradually reducing the population growth rate.
Q.8. Briefly explain some major indicators of demographic analysis.
Ans: Demographic indicators are certain measures used to understand the condition of population.
The main indicators are:
(a) Birth rate – the number of births per thousand people.
(b) Death rate – the number of deaths per thousand people.
(c) Infant mortality rate – the number of deaths of infants within one year per thousand live births.
(d) Life expectancy – the average number of years a person is expected to live.
(e) Sex ratio – the number of females per thousand males.
(f) Literacy rate – the percentage of people who can read and write. These indicators reveal the level of social development, health system, and standard of living of a country.
Q.9. Why is demographic study considered an essential subject for sociology? Explain.
Ans: Demographic study is an important branch of sociology. The structure, size, age composition, sex ratio, and growth of population affect every aspect of society. Concepts of marriage, family structure, employment, education, health, and urbanization are closely related to changes in population. For example, if the proportion of working-age population is high, production increases; and if the proportion of elderly people is high, productivity declines and social dependency increases. Therefore, demographic data are essential for understanding social problems and for preparing development plans.
Q.10. Explain the importance of literacy in demographic sociology.
Ans: Literacy is an important factor in demographic change. Educated people are more aware of health, family planning, and population control. Especially when female literacy increases, child marriage declines, the birth rate decreases, and the health of mothers and children improves. Literacy increases economic independence and improves the standard of living. Therefore, literacy is considered the foundation of population control and social development.
Q.11. Explain some major objectives of the National Health Policy 2017.
Ans: The National Health Policy 2017 was introduced by the Government of India to improve healthcare and make it accessible and affordable for all citizens. Major objectives include:
1. Universal access to essential health services without financial hardship.
2. Increasing public health spending to about 2.5% of GDP.
3. Strengthening primary healthcare and health and wellness centres.
4. Reducing communicable and non-communicable diseases.
5. Improving the quality of healthcare services and medical training.
6. Promoting preventive healthcare, healthy lifestyles, sanitation, and vaccination.
7. Ensuring affordable essential medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic services.
8. Strengthening health information systems through digital technology. Overall, the policy aims to build an affordable and people centred health care system in India.
Additional Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions
Q. Demographic study is related to what?
(a) Soil
(b) Population
(c) Forest
(d) Air
Ans: (b)
Q. What is the number of births per thousand people called?
(a) Death rate
(b) Birth rate
(c) Sex ratio
(d) Life span
Ans: (b)
Q. What is the number of deaths per thousand people called?
(a) Birth rate
(b) Death rate
(c) Infant mortality
(d) Longevity
Ans: (b)
Q. Sex ratio means—
(a) Number of females per thousand males
(b) Number of males per thousand females
(c) Number of children
(d) Number of elderly people
Ans: (a)
Q. Which is the working-age group?
(a) 0–14 years
(b) 15–59 years
(c) 60 and above
(d) 5–10 years
Ans: (b)
Q. When does population explosion occur?
(a) When birth and death rates are equal
(b) When the death rate is high
(c) When the death rate declines but the birth rate remains high(d) When population decreases
Ans: (c)
Q. Infant mortality rate is an indicator of what?
(a) Health system
(b) Forest resources
(c) Trade
(d) Politics
Ans: (a)
Q. Life expectancy means—
(a) Number of births
(b) Average life span
(c) Number of deaths
(d) Child marriage
Ans: (b)
Q. Age structure of population refers to—
(a) Religion
(b) Language
(c) Proportion of people of different ages
(d) Region
Ans: (c)
Q. One cause of a high birth rate is—
(a) Increase in literacy
(b) Women’s education
(c) Illiteracy and poverty
(d) Urban development
Ans: (c)
Q. One method of population control is—
(a) Family planning
(b) Deforestation
(c) War
(d) Migration
Ans: (a)
Q. When literacy increases—
(a) Birth rate decreases
(b) Birth rate increases
(c) Death rate increases
(d) Population increases rapidly
Ans: (a)
Q. At what interval is the census conducted?
(a) Every 5 years
(b) Every 8 years
(c) Every 10 years
(d) Every 15 years
Ans: (c)
Q. If the working population is high—
(a) Production decreases
(b) Production increases
(c) Death rate increases
(d) Diseases increase
Ans: (b)
Short Questions and Answers
1. Q. What is meant by population?
Ans: The total number of people living in a particular area is called population.
2. Q. What is meant by demographic indicators?
Ans: The measures used to understand the condition of a population are called demographic indicators.
3. Q. How is the birth rate calculated?
Ans: It is calculated as the number of births per thousand people.
4. Q. How is the death rate calculated?
Ans: It is calculated as the number of deaths per thousand people.
5. Q. What is the infant mortality rate?
Ans: The proportion of deaths of infants within one year of age.
6. Q. What is meant by gender inequality?
Ans: Unequal treatment between men and women.
7. Q. What does life expectancy indicate?
Ans: The expected average length of life of a person.
8. Q. Why is the working-age population important?
Ans: Because they participate in production and economic activities.
9. Q. What is population explosion?
Ans: A rapid increase in population within a short period of time.
10. Q. What is literacy?
Ans: The ability to read and write.
11. Q. Write one social cause of high birth rate.
Ans: Illiteracy.
12. Q. Write one government measure for population control.
Ans: Family planning programme.
13. Q. Age structure affects what?
Ans: Economic development.
14. Q. What is required to improve the sex ratio?
Ans: Women’s education and equality.
15. Q. Why is population study necessary?
Ans: Population study is essential for social planning and development
