As per the 2001 Census, which one of the following cities was not classified as a megacity of India?

Introduction / Context:
In demographic studies, a megacity is usually defined as an urban agglomeration with a very large population, often above a specific threshold such as five million people. The Census of India identifies certain cities as megacities based on their urban agglomeration populations. This question asks which city among the options was not a megacity according to the 2001 Census.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reference year is the 2001 Census.
• The cities listed are Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangaluru (Bengaluru), and Ranchi.
• We assume the standard definition used by Census 2001 for megacities.
• We need to identify the city whose population was below the megacity threshold at that time.

Concept / Approach:
In 2001, cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad were commonly referred to as large metropolitan or megacity level urban agglomerations. They all had multi million populations. Ranchi, while an important city and later capital of Jharkhand, had a much smaller population and did not meet the megacity criteria in 2001. Therefore, among the options given, Ranchi was not classified as a megacity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider Chennai. It has long been one of India's largest metropolitan cities and clearly qualifies as a megacity.Step 2: Consider Bangaluru (Bengaluru). It experienced rapid growth and by 2001 had a population large enough to place it among major metropolitan cities.Step 3: Consider Ahmedabad. It is also one of the largest cities in western India with a multi million population, qualifying it as a major metro and megacity in that era.Step 4: Consider Ranchi. Although it is an important city, its population in 2001 was much lower than that of traditional megacities like Chennai, Bengaluru, or Ahmedabad.Step 5: Therefore, Ranchi is the city that was not classified as a megacity in the 2001 Census.

Verification / Alternative check:
Lists of megacities based on Census 2001 typically include Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. Ranchi does not appear in these lists. Exam oriented geography and demography books reproduce this information, often grouping Ranchi under emerging or medium sized cities rather than megacities. This confirms that Ranchi was not a megacity in 2001.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ahmedabad: Recognised as a large metropolitan city with a population well above the megacity threshold in 2001.

Chennai: One of India's oldest and largest metropolitan centres and clearly a megacity.

Bangaluru: By 2001, it had become a major technology and industrial hub with a large urban agglomeration population, qualifying it as a megacity.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse the term megacity with simple capital city status. They might think that because Ranchi is a state capital, it must be a megacity. However, megacity status depends on population size, not on administrative importance. Others may underestimate the size of cities like Ahmedabad or Bengaluru. To avoid errors, it helps to remember which cities consistently appear in lists of India's largest metropolitan areas.

Final Answer:
Ranchi was not classified as a megacity of India in the 2001 Census.