Which period in India's demographic history is marked by a sharp decline in mortality and persistently high fertility rates?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 05 Jun, 2025 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Phase III (1951–1981).

Key Points

Phase III (1951–1981) of India's demographic history is characterized by a sharp decline in mortality rates due to advancements in healthcare, sanitation, and disease control.
Despite the decline in mortality, fertility rates remained persistently high during this period, leading to significant population growth.
The Green Revolution in the 1960s contributed to improved food security, further reducing mortality rates.
This period saw increased efforts in public health programs, including vaccination drives and campaigns to reduce communicable diseases such as malaria.
The demographic trends during Phase III led to a phenomenon called the population explosion in India.

Additional Information

Mortality Rate:
- Mortality rate refers to the number of deaths in a population per unit time, often expressed per 1,000 individuals annually.
- Advancements in healthcare during Phase III drastically reduced infant and maternal mortality rates.
Fertility Rate:
- Fertility rate is the average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime.
- High fertility rates during Phase III were influenced by social and cultural norms, low contraceptive usage, and lack of family planning awareness.
Population Explosion:
- Population explosion refers to rapid population growth due to a significant difference between birth rates and mortality rates.
- Phase III witnessed this phenomenon, which posed challenges for resource allocation and economic development.
Green Revolution:
- The Green Revolution introduced high-yield crop varieties and modern agricultural practices, ensuring food security in India.
- It played a crucial role in reducing famine-related mortality rates during Phase III.