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General Studies 3% exam weight

Population of Rajasthan

Part of the RPSC RAS study roadmap. General Studies topic geogra-010 of General Studies.

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Population of Rajasthan

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Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area but ranks only 8th in population — with approximately 79 million people (Census 2021, provisional). The state has a low population density (about 200 persons per sq km), but distribution is highly uneven — densely populated in the east and extremely sparse in the desert west.

Key Facts for RPSC RAS:

  • Population: ~79 million (Census 2021 provisional) — an increase of ~21% since 2011.
  • Literacy rate: 67.1% (Census 2011) — below the national average of 74%; male literacy is significantly higher than female.
  • Sex ratio: 926 females per 1,000 males (2011) — one of the lowest in India.
  • Urban population: ~24.9% — one of the most rural states in India.
  • The tribal population is approximately 14% of the state — concentrated in southeastern districts (Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Pratapgarh).
  • Jaipur is the most populous city (~4 million urban agglomeration), followed by Jodhpur and Kota.

⚡ Exam tip: The sex ratio, literacy disparities, tribal population distribution, and urbanisation patterns are frequently asked in RAS. Also know the major tribal communities of Rajasthan.

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Population Distribution and Density

District-wise Density

Population density in Rajasthan varies dramatically:

High Density Districts (>500 persons/sq km):

  • Jaipur: ~650 persons/sq km (most urbanised and populous district)
  • Kota: ~550 persons/sq km (educational hub)
  • Bharatpur: ~500 persons/sq km (dense rural population)

Moderate Density (200-500 persons/sq km):

  • Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur

Low Density (<100 persons/sq km):

  • Jaisalmer: ~17 persons/sq km (most sparsely populated)
  • Bikaner: ~50 persons/sq km
  • Barmer: ~90 persons/sq km

Urban vs. Rural Population

Rajasthan is predominantly rural — only about 24.9% of the population lives in urban areas (2011 Census):

Major Cities (Urban Agglomeration):

CityDistrictPopulation (UA, 2011)
JaipurJaipur~4.0 million
JodhpurJodhpur~1.2 million
KotaKota~1.1 million
BikanerBikaner~0.7 million
AjmerAjmer~0.6 million
UdaipurUdaipur~0.5 million
BhilwaraBhilwara~0.4 million

Rural Population:

  • 75% of Rajasthanis live in rural areas
  • Rural areas are characterised by scattered habitation (as against the nucleated villages of north India)
  • Small villages — the majority of villages have populations under 500

Demographic Indicators

Sex Ratio

Rajasthan has one of India’s lowest sex ratios — 926 females per 1,000 males (2011 Census). This reflects the deeply entrenched son preference culture:

Worst-performing districts (lowest sex ratio):

  • Dungarpur: ~964 females (relatively better)
  • Jaisalmer: ~852 females (among India’s lowest)

Best-performing districts:

  • Banswara: ~974 females
  • Rajsamand: ~968 females

The Tribal Advantage: Tribal-dominated districts generally have better sex ratios — the Bhils and Meenas of southeastern Rajasthan have relatively balanced ratios.

Causes of Low Sex Ratio:

  • Female foeticide (sex-selective abortion)
  • Higher female mortality in childhood
  • Lack of female education and empowerment
  • Migration of women after marriage

Literacy Rates

Overall Literacy: 67.1% (2011) — below national average

Literacy Disparities:

CategoryRate
Male Literacy79.2%
Female Literacy52.1%
Rural Literacy61.4%
Urban Literacy76.4%

Best-performing districts:

  • Jaipur (80.5%), Kota (77%), Bhilwara (75%)
  • All are urban or semi-urban

Worst-performing districts:

  • Jalore (54.9%), Sirohi (55.3%), Barmer (56%)
  • All are drought-prone, rural districts with low female education

Tribal Population

Rajasthan has approximately 9 million tribal people — about 14% of the state’s population:

Major Tribal Communities:

1. Bhils:

  • The largest tribal group in Rajasthan — ~3.8 million
  • Found in: Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh
  • Occupation: Agriculture, forest produce, labour
  • Known for: Archery skills, traditional dances (Bhil dance)

2. Meenas:

  • ~1.4 million
  • Found in: Udaipur, Jaipur (original rulers of Jaipur area historically), Sawai Madhopur, Tonk
  • Occupation: Agriculture, government service
  • Special feature: Historically ruled parts of eastern Rajasthan; highly politically active

3. Sahariyas:

  • ~50,000 — one of the most marginalised tribes
  • Found in: Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dholpur
  • Originally forest-dwellers — land rights issues
  • Recognised as a Primitive Tribal Group (PTG)

4. Gadiya Lohars:

  • Traditional blacksmiths — manufacture iron goods
  • ~1 lakh
  • Nomadic — move from village to village
  • Known for: Iron gates, agricultural tools, cookware

5. Garasias:

  • Found in: Rajputana areas — nomadic pastoralists
  • ~1 lakh
  • Camels, goats, sheep

6. Minas (Mina Meena):

  • ~1.2 million
  • Found in: Alwar, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur
  • Traditionally warriors and farmers

Scheduled Areas (Fifth Schedule)

Under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, certain tribal areas have special administrative protections:

  • Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh districts — entire
  • Udaipur district — tribal concentrated areas
  • Kota, Sawai Madhopur — certain tehsils
  • These areas have tribal advisory councils and restrictions on land transfers to non-tribals

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Migration and Urbanisation

Migration Patterns

Out-Migration:

  • Rajasthan has significant out-migration to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR
  • Migrants work in construction, textiles, and informal sector
  • Seasonal migration — families migrate during lean agricultural season to work as agricultural labour in Punjab and Haryana

In-Migration:

  • From other states — significant migration into Jaipur and Jodhpur from UP, Bihar, and Punjab
  • Rajasthan attracts migrants for: mining, tourism, government service

Urban-to-Rural:

  • Counter-urbanisation — some urban residents moving to rural areas for agriculture

The Jaipur Metropolitan Region

Jaipur is the dominant urban centre:

  • Population: ~4 million (UA) — 1/20th of the state’s population
  • Economic output: ~40% of state GDP
  • Major industries: Textiles, handicrafts, IT (emerging), tourism
  • Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort — world-famous heritage sites

Other Important Cities:

Jodhpur (Marwar):

  • “Blue City” — known for blue-painted houses
  • Population: ~1.2 million
  • Economy: Handicrafts, tourism, salt and mineral trade, defence manufacturing (defence corridor)

Kota (Hadoti):

  • “Coaching Capital of India” — famous for its competitive examination coaching industry
  • Population: ~1.1 million
  • Economy: Coaching (IIT-JEE, NEET), textiles, power generation

Udaipur (Mewar):

  • “City of Lakes” — Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar
  • Economy: Tourism, marble trade, handicrafts

Demographic Dividend and Challenges

Rajasthan has a young population — approximately 62% below the age of 30:

  • This presents a demographic dividend — a large working-age population that can drive economic growth
  • But requires: quality education, skill development, employment creation

Key Demographic Challenges:

IssueRajasthan FigureNational Figure
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)2.42.0
Under-5 Mortality Rate51 per 100036 per 1000
Maternal Mortality Ratio164 per lakh113 per lakh
Child Marriage Rate (women 20-24 married before 18)34.8%23.3%

Child Marriage: Rajasthan has one of India’s highest rates of child marriage — 34.8% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18 (NFHS-5). This affects:

  • Female education
  • Maternal health
  • Child nutrition
  • Population control

Population Policy

Rajasthan Population Policy: The state has implemented various measures:

  • Mission Vatsalya — child welfare scheme
  • Kanya Sahuben — incentive for girl child education
  • Free and compulsory education for children up to Class 8
  • Population stabilisation programmes through health and family welfare departments

Social Groups

Caste Composition (approximate):

  • General Category: ~40%
  • OBC: ~35%
  • SC: ~17%
  • ST: ~14%
  • Note: Percentages overlap; SC and ST have exclusive reservations

Major Religions:

  • Hindu: ~88%
  • Muslim: ~9%
  • Sikh: ~1.5%
  • Jain: ~0.9%
  • Buddhist, Christian, other: <1%

Jain Community in Rajasthan:

  • Significant Jain population in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur
  • Known for: Vegetarianism, non-violence (ahimsa), trade and commerce
  • Famous Jain temples: Ranakpur Jain Temple (Udaipur), Digamber Jain Temple (Jaipur)

Practice Questions for RPSC RAS

  1. Analyse the spatial distribution of population in Rajasthan. Why is it so uneven?
  2. What are the major tribal communities of Rajasthan and where are they found?
  3. Discuss the sex ratio crisis in Rajasthan. What are its causes and what can be done?
  4. How does Rajasthan’s tribal population differ from the general population in terms of sex ratio and literacy?
  5. What is the demographic dividend and how can Rajasthan harness it?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting the tribal dimension — tribal communities (~14%) are a significant and distinctive part of Rajasthan’s population.
  • Confusing Bhils with Meenas — Bhils are concentrated in Banswara-Dungarpur; Meenas in Udaipur-Sawai Madhopur.
  • Thinking Jaipur is representative of Rajasthan — Jaipur is an urban outlier; most of Rajasthan is rural, sparsely populated, and poorer.

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