Previous Year Question
Which of the following Union Territories has the lowest population density?
Daman and Diu
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Andaman and Nicobar
Puducherry
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
According to Census 2011, among the four Union Territories given, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had the lowest population density at only 46 persons per square kilometre.
The comparison among the options was—
Andaman and Nicobar — 46 persons/sq. km
Dadra and Nagar Haveli — 698 persons/sq. km
Daman and Diu — 2169 persons/sq. km
Puducherry — 2598 persons/sq. km.
Thus, the density of Andaman and Nicobar was far lower than that of the other three options. Important reasons include its island geography, extensive forest cover, limited settlement and the presence of several uninhabited or sparsely populated islands.
Population density means the number of persons living per square kilometre of area. Therefore, density cannot be determined merely from total population; the geographical area must also be considered.
India's average population density in 2011 was 382 persons per square kilometre. In comparison, the density of Andaman and Nicobar at 46 was only about one-eighth of the national average.
Current Status
An important administrative change has occurred. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged with effect from 26 January 2020 into a single Union Territory called “Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.” Thus, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are no longer separate Union Territories.