The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
The occupational structure of a country refers to the distribution of its workforce across various economic sectors: primary (agriculture), secondary (manufacturing/industry), and tertiary (services). In developing economies like India, structural transformation typically involves a gradual shift of the workforce from the primary sector to the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The proportion of workers engaged in the agricultural sector in India has witnessed a decline, not an increase, over the last few decades. According to Census data, the percentage of agricultural workers dropped from approximately 58.2% in 2001 to 54.6% in 2011. This reflects a shift away from farm-based employment.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Consequent to the decline in the primary sector's share, the participation rate in the secondary and tertiary sectors has registered an increase. This indicates a sectoral shift in the economy where more workers are moving towards manufacturing and service-based industries.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Highly urbanized areas such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Puducherry have a very large proportion of workers engaged in the service (tertiary) sector. The primary sector constitutes a negligible portion of the workforce in these metropolitan regions, as land use is predominantly non-agricultural.
Key Takeaway:
India's occupational structure is undergoing a structural transformation characterized by a declining share of the workforce in the primary sector and a corresponding rise in the secondary and tertiary sectors.