Which of the following states is ranked economically at the top but the lowest on the basis of sex-ratio?

The answer is D) Haryana. Among the four options, Haryana had the lowest child and overall sex ratio in Census 2011, at 879 females per 1000 males, against 929 for Maharashtra, 931 for Madhya Pradesh and 947 for West Bengal. On the economic side, Haryana's per capita income has consistently placed it among the top states, which is why the question pairs the two indicators.

The other options fail the sex-ratio test. Maharashtra is the largest economy among states by GSDP, but its sex ratio is higher than Haryana's. Madhya Pradesh is economically weaker and has a higher sex ratio. West Bengal is neither top-ranked economically nor the lowest on sex ratio.

The core concept is the paradox of prosperity with adverse child sex ratio. Son preference, dowry pressures and access to prenatal sex determination in richer districts drove the decline in Haryana. The state's response was the 1994 PC-PNDT Act and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, launched from Panipat in 2015. This links directly to GS-1 on society and to GS-2 on welfare schemes and their implementation.

Note that these are Census 2011 figures; the 2021 Census was delayed and the rankings should be checked against any newer data.

Trap: candidates pick Maharashtra because it is the biggest state economy, but the question asks for the lowest sex ratio as well, and that points to Haryana.