UPSC Prelims 2004 Q74: Indian Economy – International Trade & WTO
Assertion (A): India does not export natural rubber.
Reason (R): About 97 % of India's demand for natural rubber is met from domestic production.
- (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- (c) A is true but R is false
- (d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Explanation
India and natural rubber
| Part | Verdict |
|---|---|
| A. India does not export natural rubber | False: India has exported small quantities of natural rubber |
| R. About 97% of India's demand is met from domestic production | True as accepted for the period |
A is false, because India does export some natural rubber; R is accepted as true, since domestic production met nearly all of the demand at that time.
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. A is false, so R cannot explain it.
- (b) Incorrect. A is false, as some rubber is exported.
- (c) Incorrect. R is accepted as true, so this code is wrong.
- (d) CORRECT. A is false as India exports some rubber, while R is accepted as true.
Key point
India: world's third or fourth largest natural rubber producer, mainly Kerala.
Remember
India exports small quantities of natural rubber.
Common mistakes
- Believing a country that meets its demand cannot export at all.
- Forgetting that India imports some grades and exports others.
- Mixing natural rubber with synthetic rubber.
Exam tip
Kerala produces most of India's natural rubber.
Sources
- Rubber Board of India — statistics
- Rubber Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry — Annual Report 2003–04