RAS question
Rajasthan ranks first in India in the production of which of the following crops?
Correct answer: (C) Mustard.
Rajasthan ranks first in India in the production of mustard, officially grouped as rapeseed and mustard, among the listed crops.
Explanation
Rajasthan is the largest producer of mustard in India. In official crop-ranking terms, in 2022-23, Rajasthan secured first position in the production of rapeseed and mustard. That is why mustard is the right choice over rice, sugarcane and cotton. This also fits Rajasthan's wider agricultural profile: the state leads in bajra, guar and isabgol as well. For RAS preparation, the key is to remember the official crop category, because mustard is often reported as rapeseed and mustard in government documents rather than as a single everyday crop name.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Rice is wrong because West Bengal, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are the major rice-producing states, not Rajasthan.
- (B) Sugarcane is wrong because its main production is in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, while Rajasthan's first rank is in rapeseed and mustard.
- (D) Cotton is wrong because Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana are the primary cotton-producing states, not Rajasthan.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan economy under agricultural production and state-wise crop specialisation. It recurs in RAS because official economic reviews frequently frame Rajasthan's economy through leading crops such as rapeseed and mustard, bajra and guar.