According to recent Indian Census data used in many exams, which Indian state is identified as having the lowest sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) among the options given?

Introduction / Context:
The sex ratio, defined as the number of females per 1000 males, is an important demographic indicator that reflects gender balance in a population. In India, certain states have historically reported low sex ratios due to a combination of social, economic, and cultural factors. This question asks you to identify which state, among the given options, is recognised in many exam oriented summaries as having the lowest sex ratio according to recent census data.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options are Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• We refer to commonly cited census data in general studies materials, where Haryana and Punjab are known for particularly low sex ratios.
• We assume that the question is based on typical exam references where Haryana is highlighted as the state with the lowest sex ratio.
• The sex ratio is measured as females per 1000 males for the total population.

Concept / Approach:
Haryana and Punjab have both faced serious concerns regarding gender imbalance, especially in the child sex ratio, due to practices like gender selective discrimination. Over multiple census rounds, Haryana has often recorded the lowest or one of the lowest sex ratios in India. While Punjab also has a low sex ratio, it tends to be slightly higher than Haryana. Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, though not ideal, generally have higher sex ratios compared to these two north western states. Thus, in standard multiple choice questions, Haryana is usually presented as the state with the lowest sex ratio among such options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the two states most known for low sex ratios: Haryana and Punjab.Step 2: Recall that Haryana has frequently been highlighted in reports and exam materials as having the worst sex ratio figures.Step 3: Check Uttar Pradesh. It has its own issues with gender balance but its sex ratio is generally higher than that of Haryana and Punjab.Step 4: Consider Arunachal Pradesh. Being a north eastern state, it tends to have a more balanced or sometimes even favourable sex ratio compared to north western states.Step 5: Comparing these, Haryana consistently appears at the bottom in sex ratio rankings among Indian states.Step 6: Therefore, Haryana is correctly identified as the state with the lowest sex ratio among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
General studies books and census based summaries often present a table listing states with the highest and lowest sex ratios. In these tables, Kerala or some north eastern states usually appear with high or balanced sex ratios, while Haryana appears among the lowest. Punjab is also low but typically not lower than Haryana. Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh do not occupy the absolute bottom of these lists. These repeated patterns in exam materials confirm that Haryana is intended as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Punjab: Although Punjab has a low sex ratio, it is generally slightly higher than Haryana and is not usually identified as the single lowest.

Uttar Pradesh: This state has a large population and faces many demographic challenges, but its sex ratio is not the lowest compared to Haryana.

Arunachal Pradesh: This state typically reports a more balanced or even favourable sex ratio, so it is far from being the lowest.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse absolute numbers with ratios and assume that the most populous state must have the lowest sex ratio. Others remember that both Haryana and Punjab are problematic and guess randomly between them. A simple way to remember is that Haryana, being smaller and more rural in many parts, is repeatedly highlighted as having the worst gender imbalance in many census discussions and exam questions.

Final Answer:
Haryana is identified as the Indian state with the lowest sex ratio among the options given.