I85PREP
⌘ K
Odisha BSE HSC Social Science study materials
Odisha BSE HSC Social Science study resources

Odisha BSE HSC Social Science practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Odisha BSE HSC Social Science understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Social Science

Which latitude passes almost through the middle of Odisha and is often used to divide the state into a northern and a southern half?

  1. The Equator
  2. The Tropic of Cancer Correct answer.
  3. The Arctic Circle
  4. The Tropic of Capricorn

Explanation

The Tropic of Cancer at about 23°30' N runs across the middle of Odisha, passing near places such as Balasore and Bargarh district. It is the standard line used to describe the state's northern and southern divisions. The Equator, Tropic of Capricorn and Arctic Circle lie far away from Odisha's latitude.

Question 2Social Science

The Mahanadi, Odisha's largest river, finally drains into which body of water?

  1. The Bay of Bengal Correct answer.
  2. The Gulf of Khambhat
  3. The Arabian Sea
  4. The Andaman Sea

Explanation

The Mahanadi rises in the Chhattisgarh highlands, enters Odisha and builds a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Paradeep. Its distributaries form one of India's major deltaic plains. The Arabian Sea and Gulf of Khambhat lie on India's western side, and the Andaman Sea is far to the south-east.

Question 3Social Science

Which dynasty built the Sun Temple at Konark in the thirteenth century?

  1. The Ganga dynasty Correct answer.
  2. The Gupta dynasty
  3. The Slave dynasty
  4. The Sunga dynasty

Explanation

The Konark Sun Temple was commissioned by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the thirteenth century. It is designed as a colossal chariot of the sun god with carved wheels and horses. The Sungas, Guptas and Slave dynasty rulers did not build this temple.

Question 4Social Science

Which Odia poet is traditionally credited with writing the Odia Ramayana, known as the Bichitra Ramayana?

  1. Fakir Mohan Senapati
  2. Upendra Bhanja
  3. Sarala Das Correct answer.
  4. Radhanath Ray

Explanation

Sarala Das, a fifteenth-century poet, wrote the Sarala Mahabharata and is also credited with the Odia Ramayana called the Bichitra Ramayana. He is regarded as the first major poet of Odia literature. Upendra Bhanja, Radhanath Ray and Fakir Mohan Senapati belong to later periods.

Question 5Social Science

Under the Indian Constitution, which body has the power to amend the Constitution?

  1. The Council of Ministers alone
  2. Parliament Correct answer.
  3. The Supreme Court of India
  4. The Election Commission

Explanation

Article 368 gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution by following the prescribed procedure. Some amendments also require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, the Election Commission conducts elections, and the Council of Ministers only advises.

Question 6Social Science

Which of these is a fundamental duty listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

  1. To protect and improve the natural environment Correct answer.
  2. To serve in the armed forces
  3. To join a political party
  4. To pay taxes promptly

Explanation

Article 51A lists fundamental duties, and one of them is to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife. Fundamental duties are moral obligations of citizens. Paying taxes and military service are legal or civic obligations, not listed fundamental duties.

Question 7Social Science

What does the term 'sustainable development' most directly mean?

  1. Development measured only by the growth of a country's GDP
  2. Development that stops all industrial activity
  3. Development that depends entirely on the extraction of minerals
  4. Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs Correct answer.

Explanation

Sustainable development, as defined in the Brundtland Report, balances present needs with the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It combines economic growth, social equity and environmental protection. Measuring growth only by GDP or stopping industry altogether does not capture this balance.

Question 8Social Science

Which crop is the main food crop grown during the kharif season in the coastal plains of Odisha?

  1. Barley
  2. Wheat
  3. Rice Correct answer.
  4. Mustard

Explanation

Rice is the staple food crop of Odisha and is grown mainly in the kharif season with the help of monsoon rainfall. The coastal plains and river deltas provide suitable alluvial soil and water. Wheat, mustard and barley are mainly rabi crops grown in smaller areas.

Question 9Social Science

A farmer in the Mahanadi delta wants to reduce flood damage to his paddy fields while still using river water. Which measure best fits this aim?

  1. Burning the crop residue before the monsoon
  2. Constructing check dams and embankments to regulate the river's flow Correct answer.
  3. Shifting cultivation to the hill slopes
  4. Increasing the use of chemical fertilizers

Explanation

Embankments and check dams help regulate river flow, reducing peak floods while conserving water for irrigation. This is a structural measure of flood management suited to a deltaic plain. Burning residue, shifting to hill slopes, or adding fertilizer does not control floodwater.

Question 10Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Eastern Ghats in Odisha receive heavy rainfall between June and September?

  1. The south-west monsoon winds strike the hills and are forced to rise Correct answer.
  2. Western disturbances bring moisture from the Mediterranean
  3. Local convection currents occur only in coastal towns
  4. The north-east monsoon winds blow from the Bay of Bengal in winter

Explanation

During the south-west monsoon, moist winds from the Bay of Bengal hit the Eastern Ghats and are forced upward, cool and condense to give heavy orographic rain. This is why June to September is Odisha's main rainy season. The north-east monsoon comes later, and western disturbances affect north India in winter.

Question 11Social Science

Which statement best describes the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

  1. Both contest elections but a party has more members
  2. A pressure group is always part of the government, while a party is always in opposition
  3. A pressure group seeks to influence policy without contesting elections, while a party contests elections to capture power Correct answer.
  4. A pressure group contests elections, while a party only lobbies legislators

Explanation

Pressure groups such as trade unions or farmers' associations try to influence government policy through lobbying, strikes and public campaigns without fielding candidates. Political parties contest elections and seek to form the government. The two differ in their main goal and method, not merely in size or office-holding.

Question 12Social Science

The Green Revolution in India mainly involved the use of which combination of inputs?

  1. Tractors alone without any change in seeds
  2. Flood irrigation and shifting cultivation
  3. Organic manure, dry farming and traditional seeds
  4. High-yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers and assured irrigation Correct answer.

Explanation

The Green Revolution used high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice together with chemical fertilizers, pesticides and assured irrigation to raise output sharply in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a package of inputs, not a single tool. Organic farming, dry farming and shifting cultivation are different systems.

Question 13Social Science

Which of these is the best example of a primary sector activity?

  1. Mining iron ore Correct answer.
  2. Weaving cloth in a mill
  3. Selling clothes in a shop
  4. Providing banking services

Explanation

Primary activities directly use natural resources, and mining iron ore extracts a natural resource from the earth. Weaving and manufacturing belong to the secondary sector, while retail trade and banking are tertiary services. The classification depends on how close the activity is to nature.

Question 14Social Science

Which of the following is the most direct cause of the seasonal migration of labourers from drought-prone districts of western Odisha to other states?

  1. Lack of local employment and recurring drought Correct answer.
  2. Excessive rainfall throughout the year
  3. High industrial development in their home districts
  4. Government bans on agriculture

Explanation

Recurring drought and limited local employment push workers from districts such as Bolangir and Kalahandi to migrate in search of work. This is distress migration driven by a lack of livelihood options. Heavy rainfall, high industry or a ban on farming would not explain such seasonal out-migration.

Question 15Social Science

Which is the correct order of the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system in Odisha from the village upward?

  1. Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad Correct answer.
  2. Zilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti
  3. Panchayat Samiti, Gram Panchayat, Zilla Parishad
  4. Gram Panchayat, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti

Explanation

The three-tier Panchayati Raj structure runs from the Gram Panchayat at the village level, through the Panchayat Samiti at the block level, to the Zilla Parishad at the district level. The 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status to this system. Any other order misplaces a tier.

Question 16Social Science

A state government wants to fund a new rural road connecting several villages. Which source of revenue is most appropriate for such a project?

  1. Fines collected by village courts
  2. The state's own tax and non-tax revenue and central transfers Correct answer.
  3. Fees charged to students in private schools
  4. Only donations from foreign governments

Explanation

State governments finance public works mainly from their own taxes and non-tax revenue, supplemented by central transfers such as the state's share of central taxes and grants. This is the normal constitutional fiscal arrangement. Foreign donations, village-court fines and private-school fees are too small or inappropriate to fund such projects.

Question 17Social Science

Which of the following best illustrates the working of the 'rule of law'?

  1. Government officials are punished under the same law that applies to ordinary citizens Correct answer.
  2. Laws apply only to those who have not paid taxes
  3. A court decides cases according to the wishes of the ruling party
  4. A minister is exempt from prosecution while in office

Explanation

The rule of law means that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the same law and is answerable to it. It prevents arbitrary power and guarantees equality before the law. Exemptions for ministers, political interference in courts and selective application of laws all violate this principle.

Question 18Social Science

Which factor most strongly explains the concentration of iron and steel industries in the Jharsuguda–Sundargarh belt of Odisha?

  1. The lack of transport facilities
  2. The absence of any mineral deposits nearby
  3. The cold climate of the region
  4. The availability of iron ore, coal and rail links in the region Correct answer.

Explanation

The Jharsuguda–Sundargarh belt has large iron ore and coal reserves and is served by rail links, which lowers the cost of moving heavy raw materials. This combination of raw materials, power and transport attracts steel plants. A cold climate or a lack of minerals and transport would discourage industry.

Question 19Social Science

Which statement correctly distinguishes weather from climate?

  1. Weather refers to long-term average conditions, while climate refers to day-to-day conditions
  2. Climate changes every hour, while weather stays constant for years
  3. Weather and climate are identical terms used in geography
  4. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term average conditions Correct answer.

Explanation

Weather describes the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, such as today's rain or temperature. Climate is the average pattern of weather over many years, usually thirty or more. The two differ in time scale, which is why a single cold day does not disprove a warming climate.

Question 20Social Science

A question asks why the Odia language movement gained strength in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Which explanation is most accurate?

  1. It aimed to abolish the Odia script
  2. It sought official recognition and the use of Odia in administration and education Correct answer.
  3. It demanded that Odia be replaced by Bengali in schools
  4. It opposed the printing of Odia books

Explanation

The Odia language movement demanded that Odia be recognised and used in administration, courts and schools, especially when Odia-speaking areas were administered from Bengal or Madras. Print, newspapers and literary societies strengthened this identity. Replacing Odia with Bengali or abolishing its script was the opposite of the movement's aim.

Question 21Social Science

Which of the following is the best example of a 'public good' provided by the government?

  1. A branded shirt sold in a mall
  2. A subscription to a private magazine
  3. Street lighting on a public road Correct answer.
  4. A private tutor's coaching classes

Explanation

A public good is non-excludable and non-rival, meaning no one can easily be stopped from using it and one person's use does not reduce its availability. Street lighting is a classic example, since everyone on the road benefits. Private tutoring, branded goods and magazine subscriptions are excludable and rival in consumption.

Question 22Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Indian Constitution is called a 'living document'?

  1. It is kept only in a museum
  2. It can be amended and interpreted to meet changing needs while preserving its basic structure Correct answer.
  3. It is rewritten completely after every general election
  4. It cannot be changed under any circumstances

Explanation

The Constitution is called a living document because it can be amended through Article 368 and is interpreted by courts to meet new social needs, within the limits of the basic structure doctrine. This flexibility allows it to remain relevant over time. It is not rewritten after every election, nor is it unchangeable.

Question 23Social Science

A student argues that a rise in a country's GDP necessarily means its people are better off. Which criticism of this argument is most valid?

  1. GDP cannot be measured for large countries
  2. GDP ignores income distribution, unpaid work and environmental costs Correct answer.
  3. GDP is always measured in foreign currency
  4. GDP counts only agricultural output

Explanation

GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced but says nothing about how income is shared, ignores unpaid household work and does not deduct environmental damage. So a rise in GDP may coexist with rising inequality or ecological harm. It is not limited to agriculture and can be measured in national currency.

Question 24Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Eastern Ghats and the Chotanagpur plateau in Odisha differ in their drainage patterns?

  1. Both regions are made entirely of flat alluvium
  2. Differences in relief, slope and rock structure determine whether rivers form broad valleys or steep, rapid courses Correct answer.
  3. River patterns depend only on the length of the river
  4. The two regions receive exactly the same rainfall in every month

Explanation

Drainage patterns are shaped by relief, slope and the resistance of rocks. The plateau area has hard, uneven terrain that produces steep, rapid streams, while the coastal plains allow rivers to spread into broad valleys and deltas. Rainfall, alluvium and river length alone cannot explain such differences.

Question 25Social Science

A village council wants to protect a local forest used by the community. Which constitutional and legal provision supports community control over such forests?

  1. The Forest Rights Act, which recognises community forest resource rights Correct answer.
  2. The Essential Commodities Act, which controls food prices
  3. The Citizenship Act, which deals with nationality
  4. The Representation of the People Act, which governs elections

Explanation

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 recognises community forest resource rights, allowing gram sabhas to manage and protect local forests. It is a legal route for community conservation. The other Acts deal with prices, nationality and elections, not forests.

Question 26Social Science

Which of the following is the main function of the Election Commission of India?

  1. To appoint judges to the Supreme Court
  2. To conduct free and fair elections to Parliament and State Legislatures Correct answer.
  3. To prepare the annual Union Budget
  4. To decide disputes between the Union and the States

Explanation

The Election Commission is a constitutional body under Article 324 responsible for superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. It does not adjudicate federal disputes, appoint judges, or prepare the budget.

Question 27Social Science

The Tropic of Cancer passes through which state of India?

  1. Punjab
  2. Odisha
  3. Rajasthan Correct answer.
  4. Kerala

Explanation

The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′ N) passes through eight Indian states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. It does not pass through Odisha, Kerala or Punjab.

Question 28Social Science

Which of the following was a major objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920?

  1. To demand immediate independence from British rule
  2. To oppose the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre Correct answer.
  3. To support the British war effort
  4. To promote the partition of Bengal

Explanation

The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in response to the Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and the Khilafat issue, aiming to withdraw cooperation from British institutions. Immediate independence (Purna Swaraj) was demanded later, in 1930.

Question 29Social Science

Which of the following is an example of a tertiary sector activity?

  1. Coal mining
  2. Fishing
  3. Sugar manufacturing
  4. Banking Correct answer.

Explanation

The tertiary sector provides services rather than goods. Banking is a service activity, whereas fishing and coal mining are primary activities and sugar manufacturing is a secondary (manufacturing) activity.

Question 30Social Science

Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?

  1. Natural gas
  2. Wind Correct answer.
  3. Petroleum
  4. Coal

Explanation

Renewable sources can be replenished naturally within a short time. Wind is renewable, while coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels that take millions of years to form and are therefore non-renewable.

Question 31Social Science

Which of the following is the most important reason for the concentration of the iron and steel industry in the Jharsuguda–Sundargarh belt of Odisha?

  1. Proximity to major ports for export
  2. High population density providing cheap labour
  3. Abundant rainfall throughout the year
  4. Availability of iron ore, coal and other raw materials nearby Correct answer.

Explanation

The iron and steel industry is raw-material oriented and tends to locate near sources of iron ore, coal and limestone. The Jharsuguda–Sundargarh belt has rich deposits of these minerals, which explains the concentration of steel plants there.

Question 32Social Science

Which of the following is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?

  1. Right to equality Correct answer.
  2. Right to work
  3. Right to property
  4. Right to free education up to college level

Explanation

The Right to Equality is one of the six fundamental rights in Part III of the Constitution. The right to property was removed as a fundamental right by the 44th Amendment, and the right to work is a Directive Principle.

Question 33Social Science

The Great Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is mainly located in which state?

  1. Haryana
  2. Gujarat
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. Rajasthan Correct answer.

Explanation

The Thar Desert lies mainly in western Rajasthan, extending into parts of Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. Its core area is in Rajasthan.

Question 34Social Science

Which of the following is the best example of a direct tax?

  1. Excise duty on petrol
  2. Income tax Correct answer.
  3. Goods and Services Tax
  4. Customs duty

Explanation

A direct tax is paid directly by the person on whom it is levied and cannot be shifted to another. Income tax is a direct tax, whereas GST, customs duty and excise duty are indirect taxes whose burden can be passed on to consumers.

Question 35Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the southwest monsoon gives more rainfall to the windward side of the Western Ghats than to the leeward side?

  1. The leeward side has more vegetation
  2. The leeward side is closer to the sea
  3. The windward side is at a higher latitude
  4. The windward side forces moist air to rise and cool Correct answer.

Explanation

When moist monsoon winds strike the windward slopes, they are forced to rise, cool and condense, causing heavy orographic rainfall. The leeward side lies in the rain shadow and receives much less rain.

Question 36Social Science

Which of the following is the most appropriate measure to reduce the problem of urban solid waste in a city like Bhubaneswar?

  1. Dumping waste into rivers
  2. Promoting segregation of waste at source and composting Correct answer.
  3. Increasing the number of landfill sites without treatment
  4. Burning waste in open dumps

Explanation

Segregation at source allows biodegradable waste to be composted and recyclables to be recovered, reducing the volume sent to landfills. Open burning and dumping in rivers cause pollution, and untreated landfills create long-term environmental hazards.

Question 37Social Science

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the stages of the Indian monsoon season?

  1. Withdrawal, onset, peak, retreat
  2. Peak, onset, withdrawal, advance
  3. Onset, advance, peak, withdrawal Correct answer.
  4. Advance, withdrawal, onset, peak

Explanation

The monsoon arrives first in Kerala around 1 June (onset), advances northwards across the country, reaches its peak in July–August, and then begins to withdraw from northwest India in September.

Question 38Social Science

A village in Odisha wants to manage its drinking water supply. Which body is constitutionally responsible for this function?

  1. The Zilla Parishad
  2. The Gram Panchayat Correct answer.
  3. The State Election Commission
  4. The District Collector

Explanation

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, drinking water is a subject devolved to the Gram Panchayat, which is the lowest tier of local self-government. The Collector and Zilla Parishad have supervisory roles, but the primary responsibility rests with the Gram Panchayat.

Question 39Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Green Revolution increased food grain production in India?

  1. Use of high-yielding varieties with irrigation and fertilizers Correct answer.
  2. Shift from wheat to pulses
  3. Reduction in the use of pesticides
  4. Expansion of cultivated area into forests

Explanation

The Green Revolution combined high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice with assured irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which sharply raised yields per hectare. It was not based on expanding area into forests or reducing inputs.

Question 40Social Science

Which of the following is the most important reason for the seasonal migration of labourers from drought-prone districts of Odisha to other states?

  1. Availability of irrigated land in the home district
  2. High rainfall in the home district
  3. Better educational facilities in the home district
  4. Lack of employment opportunities in the home district Correct answer.

Explanation

Seasonal migration is driven mainly by the search for work and higher wages when local agriculture and allied activities cannot provide employment throughout the year. Drought reduces farm employment, pushing workers to migrate.

Question 41Social Science

Which of the following best describes the role of the Governor of an Indian state?

  1. The Governor is the constitutional head of the state and acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers Correct answer.
  2. The Governor is appointed by the Chief Justice of India
  3. The Governor is elected directly by the people of the state
  4. The Governor is the real executive head who runs the day-to-day administration

Explanation

The Governor is appointed by the President and is the constitutional head of the state. Real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, and the Governor normally acts on its advice.

Question 42Social Science

Which of the following is the correct order of the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system in Odisha from the village upward?

  1. Zilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti
  2. Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat
  3. Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad Correct answer.
  4. Gram Panchayat, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti

Explanation

The 73rd Amendment established a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level. The order runs from the village upward.

Question 43Social Science

Which of the following is the most important reason why the Eastern Ghats in Odisha have a different drainage pattern from the Chotanagpur plateau?

  1. The Eastern Ghats are made of limestone
  2. The Eastern Ghats are older than the Chotanagpur plateau
  3. The Chotanagpur plateau receives no rainfall
  4. The Eastern Ghats are close to the coast and have a steeper slope Correct answer.

Explanation

The Eastern Ghats rise near the coast, so rivers descending from them have steep gradients and short courses, often forming rapids. The Chotanagpur plateau is inland with gentler slopes, so its rivers have longer, gentler courses.

Question 44Social Science

A village council wants to protect a local forest used by the community. Which constitutional and legal provision supports this?

  1. The Indian Penal Code, which bans all forest use
  2. The Factories Act, which regulates forest produce
  3. The Forest Rights Act, 2006, which recognises community forest rights Correct answer.
  4. The Companies Act, which governs village forests

Explanation

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 recognises individual and community forest rights, including the right to protect and manage community forests. Other laws listed do not deal with community forest rights.

Question 45Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the British introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal and later in parts of Odisha?

  1. To ensure a stable and predictable land revenue for the colonial government Correct answer.
  2. To give land ownership to peasants
  3. To promote industrial development
  4. To abolish the zamindari system

Explanation

The Permanent Settlement fixed land revenue in perpetuity with zamindars, giving the colonial state a stable income and creating a class of loyal landlords. It did not give ownership to peasants or abolish zamindari.

Question 46Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Odia language movement gained strength in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries?

  1. The movement aimed to make English the only language
  2. Odia was already the official language of all India
  3. Odia was being replaced by Bengali and Telugu in schools and offices in areas where Odia was spoken Correct answer.
  4. The British government banned the Odia language

Explanation

The movement arose because Odia-speaking areas were administratively attached to Bengal and Madras Presidencies, and Bengali and Telugu were used in education and administration. This threatened Odia identity and prompted demands for the unification of Odia-speaking tracts.

Question 47Social Science

A farmer in the Mahanadi delta wants to reduce flood damage to his paddy fields while still using river water. Which measure is most appropriate?

  1. Shifting to dryland crops permanently
  2. Building embankments only along the river
  3. Constructing farm ponds and adopting drainage channels Correct answer.
  4. Increasing the use of chemical fertilizers

Explanation

Farm ponds store excess rainwater and drainage channels remove surplus water from fields, reducing flood damage while retaining water for irrigation. Embankments alone can worsen flooding elsewhere, and fertilizers do not address flooding.

Question 48Social Science

Which of the following best explains why the Green Revolution had a limited impact on the eastern region of India, including Odisha?

  1. Excessive use of high-yielding varieties
  2. Too much rainfall in the region
  3. Lack of assured irrigation and fragmented landholdings Correct answer.
  4. Overproduction of wheat

Explanation

The Green Revolution required assured irrigation and capital inputs, which were more available in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. In eastern India, including Odisha, uncertain rainfall, fragmented holdings and weak infrastructure limited its spread.

Question 49Social Science

Which crop is the principal kharif crop grown in the coastal plains of Odisha, depending on the southwest monsoon rains?

  1. Wheat
  2. Rice (paddy) Correct answer.
  3. Barley
  4. Mustard

Explanation

Paddy is the main kharif crop of Odisha because it needs high temperature and abundant water, which the southwest monsoon provides between June and October. Wheat, mustard and barley are mainly rabi crops grown in cooler, drier months.

Question 50Social Science

Which soil type, formed from the decomposition of organic matter in the deltaic and coastal tracts of Odisha, is best suited for paddy cultivation?

  1. Alluvial soil Correct answer.
  2. Black soil
  3. Laterite soil
  4. Desert soil

Explanation

Alluvial soil is deposited by rivers and is rich in potash and lime, making it fertile and ideal for paddy in delta regions such as the Mahanadi delta. Laterite soil is leached and less fertile, black soil is typical of the Deccan lava region, and desert soil is arid.