Question

“India's population is mostly rural.” Elaborate this statement by giving three suitable examples.

Answer 1

India is primarily a rural country, with a large portion of its population living in villages. According to census data, over 65% of the population resides in rural areas. This rural dominance is evident in many aspects of Indian society.

1. Agricultural Dependency: A significant part of India’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and related activities, which are mostly practised in rural areas. This shows that a large number of people still depend on villages for their livelihood.
2. Low Urbanisation Rate: Despite rapid urban growth, urban areas house less than 35% of the population, meaning that most people continue to live in rural regions.
3. Development Schemes Focus on Villages: Government programmes like PM Awas Yojana (Rural), MGNREGA, and Swachh Bharat Gramin target rural populations, indicating their numerical and developmental importance.