During which one of the following phase of population growth in India, negative growth was recorded in a decade?
During which one of the following phase of population growth in India, negative growth was recorded in a decade?
Options
The correct option is A — Phase I (1901–1921).
Why this is correct:
- Phase I is described in NCERT as a period of 'stagnant' population growth.
- Within this phase, the decade 1911–1921 actually recorded negative growth, caused by famines and the 1918–19 influenza epidemic, along with widespread famines and poor health facilities.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correct identification of Phase I (1901–1921) as the phase of negative population growth.
Hint
Only one decade in Indian census history (1911–1921) shows an actual decline in population count — remember which phase it falls in.
Quick Oral Answer
Phase I, 1901 to 1921, recorded negative growth because the decade 1911–1921 saw population decline due to famines and the influenza epidemic of 1918–19.
Analysis & Explanation
NCERT divides India's population growth (1901–2011) into four phases based on growth rate trends.
The four phases:
- Phase I (1901–1921): Stagnant growth; the decade 1911–1921 shows negative growth due to poor health/sanitation, famines and the 1918–19 influenza pandemic.
- Phase II (1921–1951): Steady growth; improved health conditions and famine-control measures allowed population to increase.
- Phase III (1951–1981): Rapid high growth (population explosion) due to a sharp decline in mortality but continued high fertility.
- Phase IV (1981–2011): High growth rate, but with definite signs of slowing down as fertility begins to decline.
Why the distractors fail:
- Phase II, III and IV all show positive growth rates of increasing or gradually decreasing magnitude — none of them record an actual decadal decline in population, only variation in the rate of increase.
- Only Phase I contains the unique historical decade (1911–1921) where India's population actually fell in absolute numbers, making Option A the only correct choice.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing 'slowing growth' (Phase IV) with 'negative growth' — Phase IV still shows a positive increase, just at a decelerating rate.
- 2Not recalling that 1911–1921 is the only intercensal decade in modern Indian history with an absolute population decline.
Interesting Facts
The 1918–19 influenza pandemic ('Spanish Flu') alone is estimated to have killed 12–13 million people in British India, a major cause of the 1911–1921 negative growth.
1921 is called the 'Year of the Great Divide' in Indian demography because population growth has been continuously positive in every census since then.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 1921 called the 'Year of the Great Divide'?
1921 is called the Year of the Great Divide because it is the last census year before which India's population showed instances of decline; every decade after 1921 has recorded continuous positive population growth.
What caused the negative growth in 1911–1921?
The negative growth was caused by a combination of severe famines, poor health and sanitation infrastructure, and the devastating 1918–19 influenza epidemic, which together raised the death rate above the birth rate for that decade.