In terms of the size of its Scheduled Tribe population, what is the rank of Madhya Pradesh among all Indian states?

Introduction / Context:
India has a large Scheduled Tribe population, unevenly distributed among different states. Knowing which state has the largest Scheduled Tribe population is important for questions related to demography, social justice, and public policy. This question asks you specifically about the rank of Madhya Pradesh when states are compared by the size of their Scheduled Tribe population.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on the size of the Scheduled Tribe population, not percentage or literacy.
• The state in question is Madhya Pradesh.
• You need to state its rank among all states based on this population size.
• Options range from First to Fourth and include Fifth as an extra distractor.

Concept / Approach:
According to Census data, Madhya Pradesh has the largest Scheduled Tribe population among Indian states when you look at absolute numbers. Other states like Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan follow behind. Therefore, when you are asked about the rank of Madhya Pradesh in terms of Scheduled Tribe population, the correct answer is that it ranks first. Understanding the difference between absolute numbers and percentages per state is essential to avoid confusion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Madhya Pradesh has a very high number of tribal communities, including Gonds, Bhils, and others. Step 2: Remember demographic data indicating that Madhya Pradesh has the largest Scheduled Tribe population in absolute numbers. Step 3: Compare this recollection with the options that list different ranks. Step 4: Identify that “First” correctly represents the leading position of Madhya Pradesh in this measure. Step 5: Choose “First” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
For verification, think of common lists of states by Scheduled Tribe population. These lists usually mention Madhya Pradesh at the top, followed by Maharashtra and Odisha. If you recall this sequence, it reinforces that Madhya Pradesh holds rank one. If a question had asked about proportion of tribal population rather than total numbers, the ranking might differ, but this question is explicitly about the size of the Scheduled Tribe population, so the first rank is accurate.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Second, Third, and Fourth: These ranks are occupied by other states when you look at the size of their tribal populations, so they do not match Madhya Pradesh in this context.
Fifth: This number is even further away from the correct ranking and does not reflect the leading status of Madhya Pradesh.

Common Pitfalls:
A typical mistake is to confuse the ranking by absolute population with the ranking by percentage of tribal population. Another error is to recall that states like Odisha or Maharashtra also have large tribal populations and then misplace Madhya Pradesh in second or third position. To avoid this, always check whether the question is asking about absolute numbers or percentages and remember that Madhya Pradesh leads in absolute tribal population among states.

Final Answer:
In terms of the size of its Scheduled Tribe population, Madhya Pradesh ranks First among Indian states.