Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development: 1) Low birthrate with low death rate 2) High birthrate with high death rate 3) High birthrate with low death rate Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below:

The demographic transition model describes how birth and death rates fall as an economy develops, moving through distinct stages. Stage 1 is high birth rate with high death rate, the pre-industrial condition where famine, disease and poor sanitation keep both rates high. That is statement 2.

Stage 2 is the early transition: death rates fall first due to better sanitation, food supply and medicine, while birth rates stay high, so population grows fast. That is statement 3.

Stage 3 is the mature stage: birth rates fall through female education, urbanisation and access to contraception, while death rates stay low. That is statement 1.

The correct order is 2, 3, 1, so option C. Option A reverses the sequence by placing the mature stage first. Option B puts the mature stage second, ignoring that death rates fall before birth rates. Option D starts with the early transition, skipping the pre-transition stage.

Mains angle: states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have moved into stage 3, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were still in stage 2 for much of the period. This is central to debates on population policy and the demographic dividend.

Trap: candidates pick A by simply following the order in which the statements appear. The sequence must follow the transition itself, not the question's numbering.