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Question

What was the literacy rate of India as per the 1951 Census?

The correct answer is

18.33%

Understanding India's Literacy Rate in 1951

The question asks about the literacy rate of India according to the Census conducted in the year 1951. The census provides valuable data about the population, including important social indicators like literacy.

Literacy rate is typically defined as the percentage of the population of a certain age (usually 7 years and above) who can both read and write with understanding in any language. Tracking this rate helps understand the educational progress of a country.

As per the official data from the 1951 Census of India, the literacy rate was recorded as 18.33%. This figure represents the proportion of the Indian population that was considered literate at that time.

Let's look at the provided options:

  • 18.33%
  • 20.42%
  • 19.23%
  • 24.46%

Comparing the historical data with the options, the literacy rate of India in 1951 was indeed 18.33%.

This 1951 Census was significant as it was the first census conducted after India's independence in 1947. It provided a baseline for many demographic and social indicators for the newly independent nation.

Revision Table: Key India Census Literacy Rates

It's helpful to compare the 1951 literacy rate with rates from other census years to see the progress over time.

Census Year Literacy Rate (Approx.)
1951 18.33%
1961 28.30%
1971 34.45%
1981 43.57%
1991 52.20%
2001 64.83%
2011 74.04%

Additional Information on 1951 India Census and Literacy

The 1951 Census aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of India's population, its demographic characteristics, and social indicators. The recorded literacy rate of 18.33% highlighted the significant challenge in education that the independent nation faced.

  • Definition: In the 1951 Census, a person was considered literate if they could read and write a simple letter.
  • Rural vs. Urban: Literacy rates were significantly lower in rural areas compared to urban areas.
  • Gender Gap: There was a large disparity between male and female literacy rates. Male literacy was higher than female literacy.
  • Policy Implications: The low literacy rate revealed by the 1951 Census underscored the need for massive efforts in expanding education across the country, which became a focus for subsequent government policies.

Understanding historical literacy rates provides context for India's journey towards improving education and human development over the decades.

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Important Questions from Indian Economic and Human Geography

  1. Deendayal Port was earlier known as:

  2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

    List-I

    (Railway zone)

    List-II

    (Headquarters)

    A.

    East Central

    1.

    Gorakhpur

    B.

    North Eastern

    2.

    Jaipur

    C.

    Northeast Frontier

    3.

    Hajipur

    D.

    North Western

    4.

    Maligaon

  3. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. India has one of the longest navigable inland water networks in the world.

    2. Inland waterways presently help in transporting about 25 percent of the total cargo movement.

    3.  About 111 inland waterways have been declared as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  4. Consider the following statements on computation of density :

    1. Physiological density can be computed by dividing the total population by the net cultivable area.

    2. Agricultural density can be computed by dividing the total agricultural population by the net cultivable area.

    3. Population density can be computed by dividing the total population by the total area.

    How many of the above statements is/are correct?

  5. Consider the following statements :

    1. Maharashtra State has the maximum share of national highways (length in kilometres).

    2. The nature of terrain and the level of economic development is one of the reasons for the maximum share of national highways in Maharashtra.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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