UPSC Prelims 2006 Q21: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
Assertion (A): The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as
compared to that of West Bengal.
Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.
- (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
- (c) A is true but R is false
- (d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation
Net sown area: Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal
| State | Net sown area (share of total area) | Main soils |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Lower (roughly 35-40%) | Red soils dominate, with black cotton soils |
| West Bengal | Much higher (above 60%) | Alluvial soils of the Ganga delta |
Assertion (A): AP's percentage of net sown area is lower than West Bengal's. True.
Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite. False, since red soils, not laterite, cover most of the State.
So A is true but R is false.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. R is false; most of Andhra Pradesh has red soil, not laterite.
- (b) Incorrect. R is false, so it cannot be 'true but not an explanation'.
- (c) CORRECT. West Bengal's net sown share is far higher, but AP's soils are mainly red, not laterite.
- (d) Incorrect. A is true, since West Bengal is among the most intensively cultivated States.
Key point
West Bengal has a much higher net sown share than Andhra Pradesh, whose soils are mostly red rather than laterite.
Remember
AP net sown share is lower than West Bengal's; AP soils are mostly red, not laterite.
Common mistakes
- Assuming laterite soil dominates south India.
- Underestimating West Bengal's net sown share.
- Treating the reason as automatically explaining the assertion.
Exam tip
Andhra Pradesh = red and black soils; West Bengal = fertile alluvium and high cultivation share.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Land Resources and Agriculture
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Soils