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Q32 (IAS/2022) Geography › Indian Economic Geography › Crop distribution India Official Key

Consider the following States: 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Kerala 3. Himachal Pradesh 4. Tripura How many of the above are generally known as tea-producing States?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4 (All four States). While tea cultivation in India is traditionally associated with Assam and West Bengal, it is commercially grown across diverse agro-climatic zones in several states.

  • Himachal Pradesh: Known for the Kangra tea variety, which enjoys a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • Kerala: A major producer in South India, with significant plantations in Munnar (Idukki) and Wayanad.
  • Tripura: The state has a long history of tea cultivation and is currently the fourth-largest tea-producing state in India.
  • Andhra Pradesh: Though on a smaller scale compared to others, tea is grown in the high-altitude tribal areas of the Chintapalli region in the Visakhapatnam district.

According to the Tea Board of India, tea is produced in 16 states. Since all four listed states have established tea plantations, Option 4 is the most accurate choice for a UPSC-level geographical assessment.

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Q. Consider the following States: 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Kerala 3. Himachal Pradesh 4. Tripura How many of the above are generally known as …
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a 'Did you read the last line?' check. Most aspirants stop reading after 'Assam and West Bengal'. The question is a direct lift from the tail-end of the NCERT paragraph which explicitly lists the minor producers. It rewards thoroughness over general awareness.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is Andhra Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
Presence: 5/5
“climate all through the year. Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender leaves. Tea is a labour-intensive industry. It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness. Major tea- Fig. 4.10: 4.10:Fig. 4.10: Tea Cultivation Fig. 4.11: 4.11:Fig. 4.11: Tea-leaves Harvesting producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states in the country. In 2020 India was the second largest producer of tea after China.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Andhra Pradesh among the states that are 'also tea-producing' after listing major tea-producing states.
  • Presents Andhra Pradesh in the same categorical list as other minor tea-producing states, directly supporting recognition as a tea producer.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > C. The Eastern Wet (Rice) Region > p. 28
Presence: 4/5
“It includes the greater parts of the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This region records more than 150 cm of rainfall. Rice, jute, pulses, oil seeds, tea, and sugarcane are the main crops of this region.”
Why this source?
  • Includes coastal Andhra Pradesh within the Eastern Wet (Rice) Region, and lists tea among the main crops of that region.
  • Links Andhra Pradesh's coastal agro-region to climatic and crop conditions where tea is grown.
Statement 2
Is Kerala generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
Presence: 5/5
“climate all through the year. Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender leaves. Tea is a labour-intensive industry. It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness. Major tea- Fig. 4.10: 4.10:Fig. 4.10: Tea Cultivation Fig. 4.11: 4.11:Fig. 4.11: Tea-leaves Harvesting producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states in the country. In 2020 India was the second largest producer of tea after China.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists Kerala among the major tea-producing states of India.
  • Groups Kerala with other primary producing regions (Assam, Darjeeling, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu), implying it is generally recognized for tea production.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
Presence: 5/5
“Tea is the world's most popular beverage, being favoured by at least 50 per cent of the world population. It is the national drink of China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Great Britain and Russia. India has about 45 lakh hectares of land under its cultivation. Te major tea growing states in India include Assam (53%), West Bengal (24%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), and Kerala about 8%). Tea is also grown on a small scale in Tripura, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Bihar, Manipur, Odisha, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Why this source?
  • Provides quantitative share for Kerala (~8%) among major tea-growing states, confirming its role in national production.
  • Names Kerala alongside Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as major tea-growing states.
Statement 3
Is Himachal Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
Presence: 5/5
“climate all through the year. Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender leaves. Tea is a labour-intensive industry. It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness. Major tea- Fig. 4.10: 4.10:Fig. 4.10: Tea Cultivation Fig. 4.11: 4.11:Fig. 4.11: Tea-leaves Harvesting producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states in the country. In 2020 India was the second largest producer of tea after China.”
Why this source?
  • Directly names Himachal Pradesh among the states listed as 'also tea-producing states'.
  • Positions Himachal alongside other recognised tea-growing states, indicating accepted status.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
Presence: 5/5
“Tea is the world's most popular beverage, being favoured by at least 50 per cent of the world population. It is the national drink of China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Great Britain and Russia. India has about 45 lakh hectares of land under its cultivation. Te major tea growing states in India include Assam (53%), West Bengal (24%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), and Kerala about 8%). Tea is also grown on a small scale in Tripura, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Bihar, Manipur, Odisha, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly includes Himachal Pradesh in a list of states where tea is grown, noting small-scale cultivation.
  • Provides a national context of major and minor tea-growing states, with Himachal in the minor category.
Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 11: Economic Impact of the British Rule > DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN INDUSTRIES > p. 192
Presence: 4/5
“Neel Darpan in 1860. The invention of a synthetic dye gave a big blow to the indigo industry and it gradually declined. The tea industry developed in Assam, Bengal, Southern India, and the hills of Himachal Pradesh after 1850. Being foreign-owned, it was helped by the Government with grants of rent-free land and other facilities. In time use of tea spread all over India: and it also became an important item of export. Coffee plantations developed during this period in South India. The plantation and other foreign-owned industries were hardly of much advantage to the Indian people. Their salary profits went out of the country.”
Why this source?
  • Gives historical confirmation that the tea industry developed in the hills of Himachal Pradesh after 1850.
  • Supports the long-standing presence of tea cultivation in Himachal's hill areas.
Statement 4
Is Tripura generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
Presence: 5/5
“climate all through the year. Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year ensure continuous growth of tender leaves. Tea is a labour-intensive industry. It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to restore its freshness. Major tea- Fig. 4.10: 4.10:Fig. 4.10: Tea Cultivation Fig. 4.11: 4.11:Fig. 4.11: Tea-leaves Harvesting producing states are Assam, hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Apart from these, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are also tea-producing states in the country. In 2020 India was the second largest producer of tea after China.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Tripura among states that are 'also tea-producing' apart from major producers.
  • Places Tripura in the same list of peripheral tea-growing regions, distinguishing it from leading producers.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
Presence: 4/5
“Tea is the world's most popular beverage, being favoured by at least 50 per cent of the world population. It is the national drink of China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Great Britain and Russia. India has about 45 lakh hectares of land under its cultivation. Te major tea growing states in India include Assam (53%), West Bengal (24%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), and Kerala about 8%). Tea is also grown on a small scale in Tripura, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Bihar, Manipur, Odisha, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Why this source?
  • Specifies that tea is 'also grown on a small scale in Tripura', directly confirming production there.
  • Contrasts Tripura's small-scale production with the major producing states, clarifying scale.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC is moving from 'Core Regions' to 'Peripheral Regions'. Everyone knows Tea = Assam. The test is whether you know Tea = Himachal & Tripura. Always memorize the 'tail' of the distribution list in standard textbooks.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct copy-paste from NCERT Class X Geography, Chapter 4 (Agriculture), Page 86. If you missed this, you are skimming, not studying.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Agriculture > Crop Distribution > Marginal/Minor Producers. The shift from asking 'Who is #1?' to 'Where else does it grow?'.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Non-Traditional' areas for other crops: Coffee (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, North East); Rubber (Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha); Jute (Meghalaya, Tripura); Spices (Gujarat is now a major producer of seed spices).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Redefine 'Generally Known'. For UPSC, 'Generally Known' does not mean 'Famous on Instagram'; it means 'Listed in NCERT'. When NCERT says 'Apart from these, X, Y, and Z are also producers', those X, Y, Z are potential Prelims options.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Major versus minor tea-producing states
💡 The insight

Distinguishes leading tea producers (Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala) from other states where tea is grown, including Andhra Pradesh.

High-yield for UPSC geography and economy questions: helps answer MCQs and map-based questions on crop distribution. Connects to topics on regional production concentration, export potential, and rural labour dynamics.

📚 Reading List :
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
🔗 Anchor: "Is Andhra Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Climatic and regional suitability for tea cultivation
💡 The insight

Tea cultivation requires evenly distributed rainfall and suitable agro-climatic zones; coastal Andhra is part of a wet region where tea is listed among main crops.

Important for questions on crop–climate linkage and spatial organisation of agriculture; enables elimination-based reasoning in questions about where crops can be grown and why.

📚 Reading List :
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > C. The Eastern Wet (Rice) Region > p. 28
🔗 Anchor: "Is Andhra Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Eastern Wet (Rice) Region as a multi-crop zone
💡 The insight

The Eastern Wet Rice Region includes coastal Andhra and lists tea among its main crops, showing that this region supports more than just rice cultivation.

Useful for integrated questions on cropping patterns, regional agricultural economies, and resource management; links physical geography (rainfall) with crop choices and state-level production profiles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > C. The Eastern Wet (Rice) Region > p. 28
🔗 Anchor: "Is Andhra Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Major tea-producing states of India
💡 The insight

Kerala is named alongside Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as a principal tea-producing state.

High-yield for polity/economy and agriculture questions: knowing the main tea-producing states and their relative importance helps answer questions on regional crops, plantation economy, and export composition. It connects to topics on regional specialization and commodity geography.

📚 Reading List :
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
🔗 Anchor: "Is Kerala generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Tea cultivation in South India
💡 The insight

Tea areas in South India occur on hilly terrains, a context that includes Kerala's tea-growing areas.

Useful for linking crop distribution with physiography and regional planning; helps answer questions on why certain crops are grown in southern hill regions and differentiates South Indian tea production from Assam/ Darjeeling production.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 42
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
🔗 Anchor: "Is Kerala generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Climatic and elevation requirements for tea
💡 The insight

Tea cultivation depends on moderate temperatures, high rainfall and hilly, well-drained sites, explaining its regional distribution including Kerala.

Core agricultural geography concept: explains spatial patterns of crop cultivation, supports inference-based answers about crop suitability, and links to climate, soils and plantation agriculture topics in the syllabus.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Tea > p. 434
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 42
🔗 Anchor: "Is Kerala generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Tea-producing states of India
💡 The insight

Himachal Pradesh is listed among India’s tea-producing states, distinguishing major producers from smaller ones.

High-yield for geography and economy questions: knowing which states are primary versus minor producers helps answer questions on regional crop distribution, resource mapping, and state-level agricultural profiles. It links to topics on regional specialisation and export composition.

📚 Reading List :
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > Food Crops other than Grains > p. 86
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tea (Camellia sinensis) > p. 41
🔗 Anchor: "Is Himachal Pradesh generally recognized as a tea-producing state in India?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Coffee Distribution. Just as Tea is in AP/HP, Coffee is grown in 'Non-Traditional Areas' like Andhra Pradesh (Araku Valley) and Odisha (Koraput). This is the exact logical sibling to the Tea question.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Agro-Climatic Possibility' Hack. Tea requires sloping terrain and distributed rainfall. Kerala (Western Ghats), HP (Himalayas), and Tripura (NE Hills) are geographically obvious. AP (Eastern Ghats/Araku) is the only tricky one. If a state has hills and rain, do not eliminate it in a 'presence' question unless you are 100% sure.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link Geography to Economy (GI Tags). Kangra Tea (HP) and Araku Coffee (AP) both have GI tags. This connects the physical geography of crop distribution to Intellectual Property Rights and export value.

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Consider the following States of India in terms of percentage of forest area in relation to the total area of the State : 1. Karnataka 2. Odisha 3. Kerala 4. Andhra Pradesh Which one of the following is the correct descending order ?

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Consider the following States 1. Manipur 2. Mizoram 3. Nagaland 4. Tripura The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of the above States ?

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