Consider the following statements. 1. The rate of population growth is increasing in the country 2. The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate 3. The birth rate is declining faster in the country compared to death rate 4. Rural-urban migration is taking place regularly in the country Which one of the following conclusions may be true in the light of the above facts?
- AThe rate of population growth is increasing due to rural-urban migration
- BThe rate of population growth is increasing due to decline in death rate only
- CThe rate of population growth is increasing due to increase in birth rate only
- DThe rate of population growth is increasing due to faster decline in death rate than in birth rateCorrect
Explanation
The question asks for a conclusion that can be drawn from the given statements. We need to identify which statement logically explains the phenomenon described in statement 1.
Let's analyze each statement and option:
Statements:
- The rate of population growth is increasing in the country. (This is the phenomenon to be explained)
- The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate.
- The birth rate is declining faster in the country compared to death rate.
- Rural-urban migration is taking place regularly in the country.
Analysis of Options:
A) The rate of population growth is increasing due to rural-urban migration. * Rural-urban migration (statement 4) is an internal redistribution of population. It does not directly increase the overall national population growth rate. While it shifts population from rural to urban areas, it doesn't add to the total national population unless it's international migration, which is not mentioned. Therefore, this option is not a direct explanation for the increasing national population growth rate.
B) The rate of population growth is increasing due to decline in death rate only. * While a decline in the death rate contributes to population growth, statement 2 provides a more specific and nuanced reason: the differential decline between death rate and birth rate. Saying "decline in death rate only" is less precise and potentially incomplete compared to statement 2. If the birth rate was declining even faster, the growth rate might decrease, despite a declining death rate.
C) The rate of population growth is increasing due to increase in birth rate only. * None of the given statements suggest an increase in the birth rate. In fact, statements 2 and 3 both imply that the birth rate is declining (or at least not increasing). Therefore, this option contradicts the information provided.
D) The rate of population growth is increasing due to faster decline in death rate than in birth rate. * This option directly links statement 1 ("The rate of population growth is increasing") with statement 2 ("The death rate is declining faster in the country compared to birth rate"). * If the death rate is declining faster than the birth rate, it means the gap between the birth rate and the death rate (which determines the natural increase in population) is widening. For example, if the birth rate declines by 1 unit and the death rate declines by 2 units, the net increase from births minus deaths will be higher than before. This directly leads to an increase in the rate of population growth. This is a logical and direct explanation for statement 1. Statement 3 would lead to the opposite effect (a decreasing rate of population growth), so it cannot be the cause of statement 1.
Conclusion: Option D accurately explains why the rate of population growth is increasing, based on the relationship between birth and death rates described in statement 2.
The final answer is D

Related questions
More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
A ate grapes and pineapple; B ate grapes and oranges; C ate oranges, pineapple and apple; D ate grapes, apple and pineapple. After taking fruits, B and C fell sick. In the light of the above facts, it…
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
Consider the following statement: "We shall go either for a picnic or for trekking". Which of the following, if true, would falsify this claim?
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
There were 50 faculty member comprising 30 males and the rest females. No male faculty member knew music, but many of the female faculty members did. The Head of the institution invited six faculty me…
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
There are five persons in a group - P, Q, R, S and T. The group has one doctor, one lawyer and one artist. P and S are unmarried students. T is a man married to one of the group members. Q is the brot…
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
Consider the following statements: 1. Either A and B are of the same age or A is older than B 2. Either C and D are of the same age or D is older than C 3. B is older than C Which of the following con…
- Prelims 2016CSATLogical Reasoning
The nature of the legal imperatives in any given state corresponds to the effective demands that state encounters, and that these, in their turn, depend, in a general way, upon the manner in which eco…