As per 2011 Census which one of the following states has recorded decrease in population?

The correct answer is A) Nagaland. Its population fell from 19,90,036 in 2001 to 19,78,502 in 2011, a decadal change of about minus 0.58 per cent. It was the only state in the 2011 Census to record an absolute decline.

• Manipur grew by about 18.6 per cent, so it is wrong.
• Tripura grew by about 14.8 per cent, so it is wrong.
• Sikkim grew by about 12.9 per cent, the lowest of the three, but still a rise, so it is wrong.

The core concept is the decadal growth rate, calculated from two census counts, not the absolute population size. For Mains, the pattern links to out-migration, fertility decline and the uneven demographic transition across the Northeast, which feeds into debates on the demographic dividend and welfare planning.

Trap: aspirants assume every Northeast state grew strongly because of its general image. Always check the decadal figure instead of relying on impressions.