Question 87 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Geography

Question

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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Only three States

Strategy: Focus on identifying traditional and major tea-producing states. Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura are all recognized for tea cultivation at various scales: Kerala is one of the largest southern producers, Himachal Pradesh (notably Kangra) is famous for high-quality tea, and Tripura is an established tea-growing state in the Northeast. Andhra Pradesh, while agriculturally rich, is not generally associated with tea production; it is more known for coffee and other crops. By cross-verifying each state's prominence in tea, three out of four fit the category.

Key Info: Tea cultivation in India is primarily concentrated in specific geographical areas due to suitable agro-climatic conditions. Key tea-producing states include Assam and West Bengal in the Northeast, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the South, and Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the North.

Kerala is well known for its tea gardens, especially in Munnar and Wayanad, making it one of India's largest tea producers. Himachal Pradesh cultivates tea mainly in the Kangra and Mandi districts; Kangra tea has a reputation for unique aroma and flavor and holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Tripura boasts a long-standing tea cultivation tradition, with multiple tea estates, processing factories, and significant smallholder involvement; it is an important Northeast tea state.

Andhra Pradesh, however, is better known for coffee plantations (notably Araku Valley) and various horticultural crops, with negligible tea production. Tea remains a major export and employment generator in India, regulated and promoted by the Tea Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one State

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Only two States

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: All four States

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

Consider the following States:

Andhra Pradesh

Kerala

Himachal Pradesh

Tripura
How many of the above are generally known as tea-producing States?