Q97 (NDA-I/2011) Geography › Indian Economic Geography › Agricultural production patterns Answer Verified

Statement I : The semi-arid tracts of India stretching from eastern Rajasthan in the north to south central Tamil Nadu are agriculturally less productive Statement II : The semi-arid tracts are homeland to a large number of central Indian Scheduled Tribe population

Both the statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I

Both the statements are individually true but statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I

Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Statement I is false but statement II is true

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: B

Explanation

Statement I is true as the semi-arid tracts of India, extending from eastern Rajasthan through the Deccan plateau to south-central Tamil Nadu, are characterized by low and erratic rainfall (400-800 mm), high evapotranspiration, and water scarcity [2][t1]. These factors, coupled with low groundwater tables and fragile soils, traditionally result in lower agricultural productivity compared to irrigated plains [t1][t7]. Statement II is also true; the central Indian belt, which overlaps with parts of these semi-arid tracts (especially in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra), is the primary homeland for a large portion of India's Scheduled Tribe population, such as the Bhils and Gonds. However, Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I. The low agricultural productivity is primarily due to hydro-meteorological constraints like rainfall variability and lack of irrigation [t1][t2], rather than the demographic composition of the region.

Sources

[1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Drought Prone Area Programme > p. 67
[2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > DROUGHTS > p. 43

How others answered

Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.

Community Performance

Out of everyone who attempted this question.

50%

got it right

Question map

Statement I : The semi-arid tracts of India stretching from eastern Rajasthan in the north to south central Tamil Nadu are agriculturally less productive Statement II : The semi-arid tracts are homeland to a large number of central Indian Scheduled Tribe population

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Statement I : Variability of annual rain fall is very high in western pan of Rajasthan. Statement I : Average annual rainfall is extremely low in western Rajasthan.

Statement I: The Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh receives copious snowfall during winter. Statement II : The Kullu Valley receives moisture-bearing wind of the Western Disturbances during winter.

Statement 1 : The Permanent Settlement was rarely extended to any region beyond Bengal. Statement I : After 1810, the agricultural prices declined affecting adversely the income of the Bengal Zamindars.

Statement I : The Zamindars were an exploitative class in Mughal India. Statement I : The Zamindars often received the support of the peasantry in a large number of agrarian uprisings in North India in the seventeenth century.

Statement I: India has wide variation in population density. Statement II: Factors like agricultural productivity and history of settlements have greatly influenced the population density pattern in India.