According to Census 2011, which one of the following shows the correct decreasing order of Indian States by total population size among Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Punjab?

Introduction / Context:
Census 2011 is a key source of demographic data for India and is widely used in examinations for questions on population distribution across states. While exact numbers may be difficult to remember, it is useful to know the relative ranking of states by population size. This question focuses on four specific states—Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Punjab—and asks you to choose the correct sequence of these states arranged in decreasing order of total population according to Census 2011.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reference is Census 2011 population data.
• The states under comparison are Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, and Punjab.
• The required order is from highest population to lowest population.
• Only these four states are to be considered; others are irrelevant for this ranking.

Concept / Approach:
To answer such questions, you do not need to recall exact population figures, but you should know approximate magnitudes and relative positions. In Census 2011, Kerala and Jharkhand have relatively similar population sizes, but Kerala is marginally higher than Jharkhand. Assam follows them with a slightly smaller population, and Punjab has the smallest population among these four states. Therefore, the correct decreasing order is: Kerala (largest), then Jharkhand, then Assam, and finally Punjab (smallest). Any option that violates this relative ranking can be eliminated.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Cross checking with standard rankings of Indian states by population, none of these four states are in the very top range nationally, but their relative positions are often noted in exam summaries. Kerala is densely populated and has slightly more people than Jharkhand, while Assam’s population is less than both. Punjab has a smaller geographic area and fewer people compared to the other three. These comparative features consistently support the sequence Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, Punjab.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Jharkhand, Kerala, Assam, Punjab: Wrong because it places Jharkhand above Kerala, whereas Kerala has a slightly larger population.
• Kerala, Jharkhand, Punjab, Assam: Incorrect because it suggests that Punjab has more people than Assam, which is not the case.
• Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Assam: Incorrect on two counts: it puts Jharkhand above Kerala and Punjab above Assam, both contrary to Census 2011 data.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often try to guess based on area size or economic prominence rather than population statistics, which can be misleading. Another pitfall is to assume that Punjab, because of its historical importance and agricultural strength, must have a larger population than Assam, but the census figures contradict this. To avoid such errors, it helps to revise at least the approximate population ranges and rankings for states commonly asked in exams.

Final Answer:
According to Census 2011, the correct decreasing order of population for the given states is Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, Punjab.