UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 72: Geography
The following are the major oilseeds produced in India: I. Sesamum II. Mustard III. Groundnut IV. Soyabean Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the descending order of the quantity of their production?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Of the four oilseeds, the 1990s ranking by production was groundnut first, then rapeseed-mustard, then soyabean, and sesamum last. Groundnut was the dominant oilseed, soyabean was growing quickly from a small base, and sesamum was a small crop. So the descending order is groundnut, mustard, soyabean, sesamum.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Puts sesamum first, but sesamum was the smallest of the four.
- (b) Right: groundnut, mustard, soyabean, sesamum.
- (c) Puts mustard first and soyabean ahead of groundnut, but groundnut led.
- (d) Puts soyabean ahead of mustard, but mustard was ahead of soyabean in the 1990s.
Worth knowing: Soyabean has since overtaken groundnut and mustard, so the order is out of date.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.