General Awareness · Geography

Indian Socio-Economic Indicators

834 Questions

Indian socio-economic indicators cover vital statistics like literacy rates, forest cover, agricultural dependency, and population growth. These quantitative facts are crucial for general awareness and state-level exams. Test your knowledge of demographic and economic data here.

Census and population dataForest and land coverBanking service penetrationAgricultural dependency

Indian Socio-Economic Indicators Questions

Multiple choice

In India, forests account for about ______ of the total land surface.

  1. 11%

  2. 22%

  3. 33%

  4. 14%

  5. 25%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

India's forest cover is approximately 22% of the total geographical area, as reported by the Forest Survey of India in their State of Forest Reports. While the National Forest Policy aims for 33% cover, the actual coverage remains around 21-22%. This figure has been relatively stable in recent assessments, with slight fluctuations due to changes in measurement methodology and afforestation efforts.

Multiple choice

As per 2011 census, the male literacy rate in India is

  1. 55.30%

  2. 60.98%

  3. 70.08%

  4. 82.14%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, the male literacy rate was 82.14%, while the overall literacy rate was 74.04% and female literacy was 65.46%. The gap between male and female literacy reflects historical educational disparities that policy initiatives continue to address.

Multiple choice

In May 2011, the Indian Government decided to recruit 20,000 armed women personnel in central paramilitary forces that will comprise 5% of the total strength in the next three to five years. What is the present (approx. percentage) strength of women peronnel in the central paramilitary forces?

  1. 1%

  2. 2%

  3. 3%

  4. 4%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

At present, women personnel comprise approx. 1% of the total strength of the central paramilitary forces.

Multiple choice

The work participation rate of females in India is

  1. 23.5%

  2. 22.25%

  3. 21.5%

  4. 17.8%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

According to Census data, India's female work participation rate was approximately 22.25%, reflecting the proportion of women in the workforce. This rate has historically been lower than male participation due to various socioeconomic factors. The other options are close but not the official figure.

Multiple choice

The work participation rate of males in India is

  1. 23.8%

  2. 12.9%

  3. 51.55%

  4. 49%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The work participation rate for males in India is 51.55% according to Census 2011 data. This means about half of the male population aged 15+ is in the workforce. Female participation is much lower at 25.6%, reflecting significant gender disparity. These figures come from Census 2011 Primary Census Abstract tables on economic activity.

Multiple choice

The male literacy rate in India as per 2011 census is

  1. 98.13%

  2. 70.99%

  3. 76.10%

  4. 82.14%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to the 2011 census, India's male literacy rate was 82.14%. The female literacy rate was considerably lower at 65.46%, bringing the overall literacy rate to 74.04%.

Multiple choice

According to Census of India 1991, which one of the following pairs of states had a lower sew-ratio than the other pairs?

  1. Punjab and Haryana

  2. Haryana and Madhya Pradesh

  3. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

  4. Punjab and Rajasthan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Punjab and Haryana had the lowest sex ratios among Indian states in 1991 Census. Both states have historically shown strong gender bias due to son preference in agricultural communities. Punjab typically had the lowest sex ratio (around 874 females per 1000 males), with Haryana close behind. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka had better ratios, while Punjab-Rajasthan pair would not be the lowest as Rajasthan's ratio was higher than Haryana's.

Multiple choice

The total receipts of the State Governments as per cent of G.D.P. in India currently lies in the range of

  1. between 6-10 per cent

  2. between 10-15 per cent

  3. between 15-20 per cent

  4. between 25-30 per cent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

State governments in India typically have total receipts (including tax revenue, non-tax revenue, and central transfers) in the range of 10-15% of GDP. This reflects their fiscal capacity and expenditure responsibilities. The central government's receipts are larger (around 20-25% of GDP), while state governments operate at a lower scale. Options A (6-10%) is too low, C (15-20%) and D (25-30%) are too high for state-level finances.