UPSC Prelims 2018 Q3: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”,
consider the following statements:
1. Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural
households.
2. Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
3. In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received
maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
NSSO 70th Round: Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (2013)
| Statement | Verdict | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rajasthan has the highest share of agricultural households among rural households | Correct | About 78.4% of rural households in Rajasthan were agricultural, the highest among States |
| 2. A little over 60% of agricultural households are OBCs | Incorrect | OBCs made up about 45%; SCs about 16% and STs about 13% |
| 3. In Kerala, a little over 60% of agricultural households got most income from non-farm sources | Correct | About 61% of Kerala's agricultural households earned most from non-agricultural activities |
Other findings:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Agricultural households | About 90 million, 57.8% of rural households |
| Indebted households | About 52% |
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false: OBCs were about 45%, not over 60%.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is the only false one; 1 and 3 are true.
- (c) CORRECT. Rajasthan (78.4%) tops the share, and 61% of Kerala's farm households earned most from non-farm work.
- (d) Incorrect. The OBC share was about 45%, so statement 2 fails.
Key point
NSSO 70th Round (2013): Rajasthan has the highest share of agricultural households (78.4%); OBCs about 45%; in Kerala about 61% earned most from non-farm sources.
Remember
Rajasthan tops; OBC ~45%; Kerala ~61% non-farm income.
Common mistakes
- Overestimating the OBC share of agricultural households.
- Assuming Punjab or Uttar Pradesh top the agricultural share instead of Rajasthan.
- Not expecting Kerala farm households to earn most from non-farm work (remittances, services).
Exam tip
For survey questions, learn the headline numbers: the top State, the social-group split and the debt share.
Sources
- NSSO Report No. 576 — Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (70th Round, 2013)
- UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2018 — Official Answer Key, GS Paper I