The statements are given below, labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). In the context of these two statements, select the correct answer from the codes given below.

Assertion (A): Punjab, Haryana,

Question

The statements are given below, labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). In the context of these two statements, select the correct answer from the codes given below.

Assertion (A): Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh are major wheat producing states of India.
Reason (R): The well drained fertile soil, 10° – 15°C temperature during winter and about 75 cm annual average rainfall are necessary for wheat production.

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — A, both statements are true and (R) explains (A). Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are indeed India's leading wheat producers — the Green Revolution heartland, with UP the largest producer by volume and Punjab-Haryana the highest in yield. Reason (R) states the very conditions wheat needs: well-drained fertile soil, a cool growing season (about 10-15°C in winter) and moderate rainfall (around 75 cm). The north-western plains supply exactly these — fertile Indo-Gangetic alluvium, cool winters and moderate-to-assured (irrigated) moisture — so (R) is the correct explanation of why these States lead in wheat (A).

Why the other options are wrong — (b) The favourable conditions in (R) are precisely why the north-western States dominate wheat — so (R) does explain (A), not merely accompany it.  (c) (R) is true — it correctly describes wheat's agro-climatic needs (well-drained fertile soil, cool winters, moderate rainfall).  (d) Both are true — Punjab, Haryana and UP are major wheat States, and the stated soil-temperature-rainfall requirements are accurate.

Concept: Wheat is India's main Rabi (winter) cereal. It needs a cool, moist growing season (roughly 10-15°C when growing) and warm, dry weather at ripening, well-drained fertile loam or alluvial soil, and moderate rainfall of about 50-100 cm — or irrigation to make up for it. The Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh match these needs, which is why they lead national production.

State PCS 2020 Q30 — Geography PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2020 Q30 — Geography PYQ with Answer