UPSC Prelims 2011 Q98: Geography – Indian Agriculture & Land Use
A state in India has the following characteristics:
1. Its northern part is arid and semi - arid.
2. Its central part produces cotton.
3. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.
Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics?
- (a) Andhra Pradesh
- (b) Gujarat
- (c) Karnataka
- (d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: (b) Gujarat
Explanation
Identifying the Indian state matching three climate/agriculture clues
The clues point to a state with a distinctive arid north, cotton-growing centre, and cash-crop dominance.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Andhra Pradesh | Incorrect | Doesn't match the specific arid northern zone described |
| (b) Gujarat | Correct | Gujarat's northern/western parts (Kutch, Banaskantha) are arid/semi-arid; its central Saurashtra/mainland belt is a major cotton producer; and cash crops dominate over food crops in several regions |
| (c) Karnataka | Incorrect | Does not fit the arid north + central cotton belt pattern as precisely |
| (d) Tamil Nadu | Incorrect | Tamil Nadu's agro-climatic profile does not match an arid northern zone |
Gujarat's agro-climatic profile:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| North | Arid/semi-arid (Kutch, Banaskantha) |
| Central | Major cotton cultivation belt |
| Cropping pattern | Cash crops often dominate over food crops |
Answer: (b) Gujarat.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Andhra Pradesh does not match the specific arid-north, cotton-centre profile described.
- (b) CORRECT. Gujarat matches all three: an arid/semi-arid north, a central cotton belt, and cash-crop dominance.
- (c) Incorrect. Karnataka's regional pattern doesn't align as precisely with these three specific clues.
- (d) Incorrect. Tamil Nadu lacks the described arid northern zone.
Key point
Gujarat matches all three clues: an arid/semi-arid north (Kutch), a central cotton-growing belt, and dominant cash-crop cultivation over food crops.
Remember
Gujarat: arid/semi-arid north, central cotton belt, and cash crops dominating over food crops.
Common mistakes
- Not connecting Kutch/Banaskantha's aridity specifically to Gujarat's northern zone.
- Missing Gujarat's status as a major cotton-producing state (Saurashtra/mainland belt).
- Picking a state based on only one matching clue instead of checking all three together.
Exam tip
Gujarat = arid north (Kutch) + central cotton belt + cash-crop dominance — a distinctive three-clue combination.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Land Resources and Agriculture
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Gujarat