SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 47

 The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. 2001 – 2011.

The sharpest decline in the percentage decadal growth of population in India since independence was observed during the decade 2001–2011. According to the Census of India, the decadal growth rate fell from 21.54% in 1991–2001 to 17.64% in 2001–2011, marking a significant reduction of nearly 4 percentage points. This decline was attributed to increasing awareness about family planning, better health facilities, rising literacy rates, and various government initiatives promoting population control. It reflects India’s progress in managing demographic trends and improving socio-economic conditions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, where birth rates traditionally remained high.