India: Population, Migration and Human Development
India’s population, migration and human development combine census patterns with social outcomes. The exam tests indicators, migration streams and the meaning of development.
Core rules
- Census 2011 recorded about 1.21 billion people; density, sex ratio, literacy and urban share are key indicators.
- Sex ratio = females per 1,000 males; child sex ratio uses ages 0–6 and is a separate indicator.
- Migration streams are rural–rural, rural–urban, urban–urban and urban–rural; push–pull factors explain them.
- Human development is measured by the HDI through life expectancy, education and per capita income.
- Regional disparities persist between states and within districts.
Worked example
A district has 940,000 females and 1,000,000 males. Sex ratio = (940,000 ÷ 1,000,000) × 1,000 = 940 females per 1,000 males. This is below the national balance and may reflect migration or gender disadvantage, but the figure alone cannot prove cause. A good answer compares child sex ratio, literacy and migration data before concluding.
Traps
Do not invert the sex-ratio formula. Do not treat HDI as GDP per capita alone. Do not confuse migration with commuting. Do not assume all rural–urban movement is voluntary or permanent.