Four states have actually seen their rural populations decline since 2001: Kerala, Goa, Nagaland and Sikkim. The rural population of Andhra Pradesh has almost stagnated. It is growing at a very sluggish rate in at least 10 other states.

Meanwhile, there is a noticeable asymmetry: Nearly half of the total rural population growth across India is accounted for by two politically important states — Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Read More