Chapter 11: Population and Human Settlements in India

11.1 Introduction

Population studies help in understanding the demographic structure, economic potential, and developmental challenges of a region. India is the second most populous country in the world after China (set to become first soon).

11.2 Population Statistics (2021 Estimates)

Total Population: ~1.41 billion
Population Density: 464 persons/sq.km (world’s highest among large countries)

Sex Ratio: 1,020 females per 1,000 males (as per NFHS-5)
Literacy Rate: ~77.7% overall (Male: 84.7%, Female: 70.3%)
Working Population:
- Primary sector: ~41%
- Secondary sector: ~26%
- Tertiary sector: ~33%

11.3 Population Distribution

Region	Population Density (persons/sq.km)	Characteristics
Indo-Gangetic Plain	>1000	Alluvial soil, fertile, flat terrain
Peninsular Plateau	200–500	Rugged terrain, moderate density
Himalayan Region	<200	Harsh climate, slope, less accessibility
Desert Areas	<100	Arid, sandy, low water availability

States with Highest Population:

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal

States with Lowest Population:

Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh

11.4 Population Growth Trends

India has seen explosive growth post-1951 due to medical advances and improved food supply (Green Revolution).

Growth Rate Trends:
- 1951–1981: Rapid growth (high birth rate + declining death rate)
- 1991–2021: Declining growth rate (due to family planning, education)

11.5 Demographic Transition Theory (India’s Stage)

Stage	Characteristics	India’s Phase
Stage I	High birth & death rates → low growth	Pre-1920s
Stage II	Death rate falls, birth rate remains high	1950s–1980s
Stage III	Declining birth rate, slow growth	Current stage
Stage IV (Future)	Low birth and death rates → zero or negative	Not reached

11.6 Migration in India

Types:

Internal Migration: Rural to urban (most common)
International Migration: Workers to Gulf, students to West

Causes:

Push: Unemployment, poor living conditions, drought

Pull: Jobs, education, healthcare, better lifestyle

Consequences:

Urban growth, slums, remittances, regional imbalance

11.7 Urbanization in India

Urban population: ~35% (increasing steadily)

Mega cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai
Urban problems: Overcrowding, traffic, pollution, waste management

Smart Cities Mission:

100 cities targeted for sustainable and tech-enabled development

11.8 Human Settlements

Rural Settlements:

Types:
- Clustered (UP, Bihar)
- Dispersed (MP, Rajasthan)
- Linear (coastal or river valleys)

Urban Settlements:

Classification:
- Towns: <1 lakh population
- Cities: >1 lakh
- Metropolitan: >10 lakh (1 million)
- Megacity: >1 crore (10 million) — e.g., Delhi, Mumbai

Urban Planning Challenges:

Housing shortage
Traffic congestion
Infrastructure stress

Environmental degradation

11.9 Government Initiatives

Scheme	Objective
Smart Cities Mission	IT-enabled smart governance and infrastructure
AMRUT	Urban mobility and water supply
PMAY (Urban)	Affordable housing for urban poor
RURBAN Mission	Bridge urban-rural divide through rural clusters

UPSC/PSC/SSC Focus Points

Population density map questions
State-wise literacy, sex ratio, growth rate

Migration trends and effects
Urban-rural divide in terms of services
Match schemes to urban development goals

Chapter 12: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management in India

12.1 Introduction

A hazard is a potential threat (natural or man-made) that can cause damage. A disaster occurs when that hazard causes widespread destruction, loss of life, or economic setback.

India’s geographical diversity and climatic variability make it highly vulnerable to multiple natural disasters.

12.2 Major Natural Disasters in India

1. Earthquakes

India is divided into Seismic Zones II–V
Zone V (Highest risk): Kashmir, NE India, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Andaman-Nicobar
Zone IV: Delhi, Sikkim, Bihar, parts of Maharashtra

Causes: Plate movements (Indian Plate colliding with Eurasian Plate)
Effects: Loss of life, infrastructure damage, secondary disasters (landslides, tsunamis)

2. Floods

Most frequent natural disaster in India

Vulnerable states: Bihar, UP, Assam, WB, Odisha
Causes: Heavy monsoon rains, river overflow, dam breaches, poor drainage
Urban flooding in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru

3. Cyclones

Occur in Bay of Bengal (more severe) and Arabian Sea
Cyclone seasons: May–June, October–November
Categories: Depression → Storm → Cyclone → Super cyclone

Vulnerable coastal states: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu

4. Droughts

Types: Meteorological, Agricultural, Hydrological
Affects water supply, agriculture, livelihoods

Drought-prone states: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, Telangana

5. Landslides

Common in Himalayan belt, Western Ghats
Triggered by rainfall, deforestation, road construction, earthquakes

6. Tsunamis

Caused by undersea earthquakes
Affected areas: Andaman-Nicobar, eastern coastline
2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Over 10,000 deaths in India

7. Forest Fires

Forest-prone areas: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Western Ghats
Natural (lightning) or man-made (negligence)

12.3 Disaster Management Framework in India

Constitutional Provision

Disaster management is a state subject, but Centre intervenes in major events.

Acts and Bodies

Disaster Management Act, 2005: Legal framework for disaster risk reduction
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
- Chaired by PM
- Prepares national plans, mitigation strategies
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA): Headed by CM
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA): District-level implementation

NDRF: National Disaster Response Force

Trained paramilitary force for search & rescue operations
Under Ministry of Home Affairs

12.4 Disaster Management Cycle

Mitigation: Prevention and risk reduction

Preparedness: Early warning systems, drills, awareness
Response: Rescue, relief, medical aid
Recovery: Reconstruction, rehabilitation

12.5 Important Government Initiatives

Scheme/Program	Purpose
Sendai Framework	Global guideline for disaster resilience
Prime Minister CARES Fund	Emergency fund for disasters
CRF & SDRF	Calamity Relief Fund (State/National)
School Safety Program	Awareness in education institutions
Aapda Mitra	Training community volunteers
Early Warning Systems	IMD, INCOIS, CWC alerts
Mock Drills	Regular exercises in schools and offices

12.6 Role of Technology in Disaster Management

Remote Sensing & GIS: Hazard mapping, damage assessment
Doppler Radars: Cyclone tracking
Mobile Apps: ‘Sachet’, ‘Damini’, ‘Umang’ for alerts

Drones: Search and delivery in disaster-hit areas
Crowdsourced data: Twitter, WhatsApp used during floods

12.7 Case Studies (Useful for UPSC Mains)

Bihar Floods (2021): Due to monsoon overflow, affected 70+ lakh people

Cyclone Amphan (2020): Category 5, devastated Bengal and Odisha
Uttarakhand Flood (2013): Glacial lake burst and heavy rains
Kerala Floods (2018): Mismanaged dams + extreme rainfall

UPSC/PSC/SSC Focus Areas

Seismic zones and cyclone-prone states
Matching disasters with states
Government schemes and institutional framework

Use of technology in disaster risk reduction
Case-based questions in Mains (e.g., NDMA effectiveness)