The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
India exhibits a highly uneven pattern of population distribution. The spatial spread of the population is heavily influenced by physical factors such as terrain, climate, and water availability, as well as socio-economic and historical factors.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: While Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal are the most populous states in India, they do not account for 76% of the total population. According to Census 2011, these four states together constitute approximately 42% of India's population (Uttar Pradesh: ~16%, Maharashtra: ~9%, Bihar: ~9%, West Bengal: ~8%). The figure of 76% corresponds to the combined share of the top 10 populous states, which includes the aforementioned four along with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Statement 2 is Correct: States such as Jammu & Kashmir (undivided) and Arunachal Pradesh possess large geographical areas but support a very small percentage of the total population (approximately 1.04% and 0.11% respectively). This disparity is primarily due to the rugged terrain, harsh climatic conditions, and the limited availability of flat, cultivable land in these regions.
Key Takeaway: A significant portion of India's population is concentrated in a few states with favorable agricultural and industrial conditions, whereas geographically large states with difficult terrain often have very low population shares.