In the context of demographic trends in India, the pattern of population growth is best characterized by what combination of birth and death rates?

Introduction / Context:
Population growth patterns are a central theme in demography and development economics. For India, many exam questions focus on how population has grown in the post independence period and what demographic characteristics are responsible for that growth. This question asks you to recognize the typical pattern that has driven India's population growth, especially in terms of birth and death rates over time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the broad demographic pattern in India during the modern period.
• We are concerned with overall population growth, not temporary fluctuations.
• Key variables are the birth rate and the death rate.
• We assume no drastic change in migration that would dominate the effect of births and deaths.

Concept / Approach:
In demographic transition theory, developing economies like India initially experience high birth rates and high death rates. As health care, sanitation and nutrition improve, death rates start to fall, especially infant and child mortality. Birth rates, however, remain high for some time. This combination of a high birth rate with a declining death rate leads to rapid population growth. Only later, as socio economic development progresses, education improves and family planning spreads, the birth rate itself starts to decline and the rate of population growth slows down.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that population growth depends on the difference between birth rate and death rate. Step 2: For India, understand that improvements in public health have reduced death rates significantly over time. Step 3: Recognize that birth rates remained relatively high for a long period even as death rates declined. Step 4: Conclude that India's population growth is best characterized by a high or rising birth rate combined with a declining death rate.

Verification / Alternative check:
If death rates had increased, population growth would have been slower, which is not consistent with observed trends. Similarly, a simple increase in the number of old people is a result of better health and longevity, but it does not by itself explain rapid overall growth unless births remain high. Therefore, the combination of high birth rate and declining death rate is the most accurate description of India's demographic pattern during its rapid growth phase.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
An increase in the rate of death: This would slow population growth, which contradicts the historical experience of rapid growth in India.
An increase in the ratio of females: Changes in the sex ratio matter for social issues but do not directly explain the basic pattern of population growth in terms of births and deaths.
An increasing number of old people only: This reflects aging and improved longevity but is a secondary aspect, not the primary driver of rapid population growth.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to focus on isolated facts such as an aging population or changes in sex ratio instead of the basic demographic arithmetic of births minus deaths. Another pitfall is to assume that population growth must always be linked to increasing birth rates, ignoring the crucial role of falling death rates that often occurs first in the demographic transition. Understanding the sequence of changes is essential for correctly answering such questions.

Final Answer:
India's population growth is characterized by an increase in the birth rate and a declining death rate.