Question

Study the following table carefully and answer the questions that follow:

India - Trends of Urbanisation 1961-2011
Year	Number of Towns/UAs	Urban Population (in Thousands)	% of Total Population	Decennial Growth (%)
1961	2,365	78,936.6	17.97	26.41
1971	2,590	1,09,114	19.91	38.23
1981	3,378	1,59,463	23.34	46.14
1991	4,689	2,17,611	25.71	36.47
2001	5,161	2,85,355	27.78	31.13
2011	6,171	3,77,000	31.16	31.08

1. In which census year, the decennial growth of urban population is the highest.
2. Explain the increasing trend of urban population in India.
3. Analyse the continuous increasing trend of number of towns in India.

Answer 1

1. In 1981, the urban population experienced the highest decennial growth rate. It was 46.14%.
2. India’s urban population has increased due to industrialization, improved infrastructure, and rural-urban migration. India’s growing urban population is driven by causes such as rural-to-urban migration, industrialization, greater work prospects, healthcare, and education.
3. From 1961 to 2011, India saw enormous urbanization and industrialization, resulting in a steady growth in the number of towns. As industry and infrastructure develop, rural areas become semi-urban or urban centers, they are generally designated as towns.