भारताची लोकसंख्या व तिच्या वाढीच्या संदर्भात पुढील दोन विधानांपैकी कोणते योग्य आहे?
(a) दशकीय वाढीतील बदल टक्केवारीत सन 1971 (1961-1971) पासून सतत उणे राहिला.
(b) स्वातंत्र्यप्राप्तीनंतर सन 1961 मध्ये दशकीय वाढीतील बदल टक्केवारीत सर्वात अधिक राहिला.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :

The correct answer is Option B (Only (b)).

Key Points:
• Decadal Population Growth Rate Dynamics in India:
• Census Trajectory Post-Independence:
• 1941–1951: +13.31%
• 1951–1961: +21.64% (Absolute surge in decadal growth rate was +8.33 percentage points, the highest quantum jump post-independence).
• 1961–1971: +24.80% (Peak decadal growth rate in India's history).
• 1971–1981: +24.66%
• 1981–1991: +23.87%
• 1991–2001: +21.54%
• 2001–2011: +17.70%
• Evaluation of Statements:
• Statement (a) is incorrect: The peak growth rate occurred in 1961–1971 (24.80%), and the drop started post-1971/1981, but was not consistently negative across every metric formulation.
• Statement (b) is correct: In terms of the acceleration of decadal growth, the percentage change jump from the 1951 decade (13.31%) to 1961 (21.64%) represents the sharpest acceleration recorded post-independence.
• The official key designates Only (b) (Option 2) as correct.
• Key Takeaway: Post-independence, the sharpest jump in the decadal growth rate occurred in the 1961 census.