UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 4: Geography
Consider the following statements :
- 1.India has more arable area than China.
- 2.The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
- 3.The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
India has more arable land than China (well over 150 million hectares against roughly 120 million), so statement 1 is correct. China irrigates a larger share of its cropland and gets far higher yields per hectare, helped by heavy irrigation, fertiliser use and better inputs, so statements 2 and 3 are wrong. Remember: India leads in arable area, China in irrigated share and productivity.
- 1. India has more arable land than China.
- 2. China irrigates a larger share of its cropland.
- 3. China's yield per hectare is much higher.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: only statement 1 (more arable area) holds.
- (b) Two would need India to lead on irrigated share or productivity; it does not.
- (c) India trails China on both irrigated share and yield per hectare.
- (d) Statement 1 is correct, so not none.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.