According to the 2011 Census of India, which one of the following states listed here recorded the highest overall sex ratio, measured as the number of females per 1000 males?

Introduction / Context:
Sex ratio is an important demographic indicator that reflects the balance between the number of females and males in a population. In India, the sex ratio is usually expressed as the number of females per 1000 males and is reported in the Census. This question focuses on identifying, among the given options, which state recorded the highest sex ratio according to the 2011 Census of India.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The data source is the 2011 Census of India.
- We are comparing sex ratios of four specific states: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Manipur.
- Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males.
- We need only the highest sex ratio among these four states, not among all Indian states.

Concept / Approach:
Haryana and Punjab have traditionally reported very low sex ratios due to a strong preference for male children and related socio economic factors. Uttar Pradesh also has a relatively low sex ratio compared to many other states. Manipur, a north eastern state, has a comparatively better balance between males and females. Remembering approximate sex ratio values from the 2011 Census allows us to identify Manipur as having the highest among the four listed states.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall approximate sex ratio values from the 2011 Census for the four states. Step 2: Haryana and Punjab both have sex ratios below the national average, historically among the lowest in the country. Step 3: Uttar Pradesh also has a sex ratio lower than many states, though not as low as Haryana. Step 4: Manipur has a sex ratio close to parity, with females per 1000 males higher than in the other three states listed. Step 5: Compare and choose Manipur as the state with the highest sex ratio among the options.

Verification / Alternative Check:
If you have studied demographic tables, you may remember that the north eastern region of India often performs better on sex ratio and literacy indicators than several large northern states. Manipur follows this pattern. Haryana and Punjab are often cited in discussions about skewed sex ratios and campaigns to improve girl child survival. This contrast between the states serves as an additional check that Manipur should be selected as having the highest sex ratio among the four.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Uttar Pradesh: It has a large population but its sex ratio is relatively low and does not exceed Manipur level according to the 2011 Census.
Haryana: It is known for one of the lowest sex ratios in the country, so it cannot be the highest among the options.
Punjab: Like Haryana, Punjab has a significantly low sex ratio and is the focus of many social campaigns, so it is not the correct choice here.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to misinterpret the question and think of the highest sex ratio in India as a whole, which would point to states like Kerala. Another pitfall is ignoring the phrase among the following and making a guess without considering that Haryana and Punjab are known negative examples in sex ratio discussions. Awareness of regional demographic patterns helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
Among the states listed, the 2011 Census shows that Manipur recorded the highest sex ratio.