Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 26 questions on Demographics & Population for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 9 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2006). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2026 15 marks |
| 2 | Critically examine the challenges of demographic transition in contemporary India. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2026 15 marks |
| 3 | Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 10 marks |
| 4 | What is the concept of a 'demographic winter'? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 10 marks |
| 5 | What do you understand by population ageing? Discuss its various dimensions in the context of India. | OPSC OAS Mains 2023 15 marks |
| 6 | Will the ageing population be a problem in India? If not, what are the problems you foresee in the age structure of the Indian population? | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 15 marks |
| 7 | Discuss the density distributional pattern of population in India. | OPSC OAS Mains 2021 20 marks |
| 8 | Explain about Demographic transition. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 5 marks |
| 9 | Discuss about quantitative methods in Demography. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 5 marks |
| 10 | Explain the concept of Human Resource Development and discuss about the recent scenario of Human Resource Development in India. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 10 marks |
| 11 | Explain about Paleodemography. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.10(a)(i) · 5 marks |
| 12 | Write a note on Epidemiology. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.10(a)(ii) · 5 marks |
| 13 | Explain about dynamical systems of population. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.10(a)(iii) · 5 marks |
| 14 | Explain about Demographic shifts. Examine the impact of these shifts on Human Resource Management. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.10(b) · 10 marks |
| 15 | What do you mean by Demographic Dividend? Is India prepared to reap this potential dividend in the coming years? | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 15 marks |
| 16 | Why is there a heavy concentration of population in the Ganga Plains? | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.5(c) · 10 marks |
| 17 | Explain India's national policy on Family Welfare in recent time. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.13(c) · 10 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Analyze the assertion, 'Demographics is destiny,' in light of India's emergence as the world's most populous nation. Discuss the potential opportunities presented by this demographic evolution in the ageing world. | — |
| 19 | Enumerate the factors which have prerogative in carving the rural-urban divide, considering the emerging population dynamics of India. | — |
| 20 | Enumerate the key impediments in utilising the young and dynamic demography of India? How can they be utilised for holistic development of the nation? | — |
| 21 | Highlight the challenges associated with the rising number of old age dependents in India. What can be done to deal with these challenges? | — |
| 22 | Discuss the principal reasons for population explosion in India and suggest measures to control it. | — |
| 23 | Discuss the concept of the demographic dividend and its potential advantages and challenges for a developing country like India. Elaborate on the key measures that government should undertake to harness the demographic dividend effectively. | — |
| 24 | In the context of demographic shifts, critically analyse the potential opportunities and intricate challenges presented by an increasingly ageing population? How can India proactively strategize to manage this demographic transition effectively? | — |
| 25 | What are the major causes of regional imbalance in India? | — |
| 26 | Privatisation of social sector services and the agenda of inclusive growth: complementary or contradictory? Give your views. | — |