Population – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 9
Social Science – Geography
Chapter 6: Population
Geography: Contemporary India – I
Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs) for NCERT Chapter 6 Population – CBSE Class 9 Board Exam Standard
CBSE Examination Focus – Expected Question Types
- Concept-based 2–3 mark questions
- Short explanations of causes, effects & processes
- Definitions + reasoning combined questions
- Distribution, density & population growth concepts
- Terminology-based short descriptive answers
Topic-wise Short Answer Type Questions (50)
With clear, exam-oriented answers
1. Population Size
Q1. What is meant by the term “population”?
Population refers to the total number of people living in a specific geographical area at a particular time.
Q2. Why is population size important for a country?
It helps in planning resources, developmental policies, economic strategies, and infrastructure requirements.
Q3. What is the main source of population data in India?
The Census of India, conducted every 10 years, provides the official population data.
Q4. How does population size influence development?
A large population increases demand for food, housing and services, affecting economic planning and resource allocation.
Q5. What factors influence the size of population?
Birth rate, death rate and migration are the key factors influencing population size.
2. Population Distribution by Numbers
Q6. What do you understand by population distribution?
It refers to the pattern of how people are spread across different regions of a country.
Q7. Why is population distribution uneven in India?
Due to variations in climate, terrain, soil fertility, economic opportunities and historical settlement patterns.
Q8. Which region of India has the highest population concentration and why?
The Northern Plains because of fertile soil, abundant water supply and favourable climate.
Q9. Why are the Himalayan regions sparsely populated?
Due to steep slopes, harsh climate, poor soil and difficult living conditions.
Q10. Name two human factors that influence population distribution.
Industrialization and availability of transport facilities.
Q11. How do economic activities influence population distribution?
Areas with employment opportunities attract more people, resulting in higher population concentration.
Q12. Why do deserts have low population?
Extreme climate, lack of water and limited economic opportunities discourage settlement.
Q13. What role does history play in population distribution?
Ancient trade routes and old settlement regions continue to attract dense populations even today.
Q14. How does climate affect where people live?
Moderate climates attract more people, whereas very hot or very cold climates reduce population density.
Q15. Why do coastal regions attract higher populations?
They offer trade facilities, fishing, port activities, flat terrain and employment opportunities.
3. Population Distribution by Density
Q16. What is population density?
Population density is the number of people living per square kilometre of land area.
Q17. Why is population density important?
It helps determine how crowded an area is and assists in planning land use and services.
Q18. What does high population density indicate?
It indicates heavy population pressure, high demand for services and concentrated settlements.
Q19. Mention two reasons for high population density in plains.
Fertile soil and good transportation networks.
Q20. Why does Arunachal Pradesh have low population density?
Due to hilly terrain, dense forests and low economic opportunities.
Q21. What is the main limitation of population density?
It does not show internal settlement variations within a region.
Q22. How is density calculated?
Population Density = Total Population ÷ Area (in sq. km).
Q23. Why do urban areas have high density?
Due to job opportunities, developed infrastructure and better services.
Q24. How does relief influence density?
Flat and fertile lands support dense settlements, while rugged regions remain sparsely populated.
Q25. What physical factor reduces density in desert areas?
Low water availability and extreme climate conditions.
4. Population Growth
Q26. What is population growth?
Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people over a specific period.
Q27. What are the components of population growth?
Birth rate, death rate and migration.
Q28. What is birth rate?
It is the number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
Q29. What is death rate?
It is the number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
Q30. What causes rapid population growth?
High birth rate, declining death rate and improved medical facilities.
Q31. What is natural increase?
The difference between birth rate and death rate.
Q32. How does migration influence population?
It increases or decreases population in a particular region depending on in-migration or out-migration.
Q33. What is doubling time?
The time required for a population to double at the current growth rate.
Q34. Why has India's death rate decreased over time?
Due to better healthcare, improved sanitation and better living standards.
Q35. Give one effect of rapid population growth.
It puts pressure on land, water resources, employment and infrastructure.
5. Processes of Population Change
Q36. Name the three processes of population change.
Births, deaths and migration.
Q37. Explain migration.
Migration is the movement of people from one place to another for settlement or employment.
Q38. What are push factors in migration?
Factors such as unemployment, low income and harsh living conditions that push people away from rural areas.
Q39. What are pull factors in migration?
Better jobs, education and healthcare services that attract people to cities.
Q40. What is rural–urban migration?
Movement of people from villages to cities in search of jobs and better facilities.
Q41. How does migration affect rural areas?
It leads to a decline in working-age population and affects agricultural productivity.
Q42. How does migration affect urban areas?
It increases population pressure, leading to overcrowding and resource strain.
Q43. What is fertility rate?
It refers to the number of children born per woman in a population.
Q44. How does education affect population change?
Higher education levels reduce fertility rates and improve health awareness.
Q45. What is mortality?
Mortality refers to the number of deaths occurring in a population.
Q46. Why is infant mortality rate significant?
It reflects the health conditions and medical care available in a region.
Q47. How does improved healthcare influence population growth?
It reduces death rates, increasing population growth.
Q48. What is life expectancy?
It is the average number of years a person is expected to live.
Q49. How does government policy help control population growth?
Through family planning programs, health services and awareness campaigns.
Q50. What is the role of women’s literacy in population change?
Higher literacy among women leads to lower fertility, better healthcare practices and slower population growth.
NCERT-aligned SAQs • Perfect for CBSE Class 9 Board Exam Preparation
