.png)
Agriculture and Its Types, Industry & Infrastructure, Services Sector – UPSC Geography Notes
Overview: Economic development depends on three major sectors — Agriculture (Primary), Industry & Infrastructure (Secondary), and Services (Tertiary). UPSC tests these concepts frequently in GS1, GS3, and Geography Optional.
Table of Contents
- 1. Agriculture – Meaning & Importance
- 2. Types of Agriculture
- 3. Industry – Meaning & Classification
- 4. Industrial Location Factors
- 5. Infrastructure – Types & Importance
- 6. Services Sector – Nature & Components
- 7. UPSC Quick Revision Notes
- 8. Previous Year Question
1. Agriculture – Meaning & Importance
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops, rearing of animals, and use of land for food, fibre, and raw materials.
Importance of Agriculture
- Provides livelihood to large population.
- Supports industries (textile, sugar, food processing).
- Ensures food security.
- Contributes to exports & GDP.
2. Types of Agriculture
(A) Subsistence Agriculture
- Small farms, traditional tools.
- Low productivity; crops for family consumption.
- Common in India, Africa, Southeast Asia.
(B) Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
- High labour input.
- Multi-cropping, irrigation-based.
- Rice-wheat regions of India, China.
(C) Extensive Commercial Agriculture
- Large farms, mechanisation.
- Low labour per hectare.
- USA, Canada, Australia.
(D) Plantation Agriculture
- Single crop grown on large estates.
- Tea, coffee, rubber, oil palm.
- Found in tropical regions.
(E) Mixed Farming
- Crops + livestock.
- Ensures economic stability.
- Europe, North America, India.
(F) Shifting Cultivation
- Crops grown on cleared forest lands.
- Land abandoned after few years.
- Known as Jhum (Northeast India).
(G) Dairy and Horticulture
- Dairy → milk production (New Zealand, Denmark).
- Horticulture → fruits, vegetables, flowers.
3. Industry – Meaning & Classification
Industry refers to economic activities involving processing of raw materials into finished goods.
Types of Industries
(A) Based on Raw Material
- Agro-based (cotton, sugar, jute)
- Mineral-based (iron & steel, cement)
- Chemical industries
- Forest-based industries (paper, plywood)
(B) Based on Size
- Cottage industries
- Small-scale industries
- Large-scale industries
(C) Based on Ownership
- Public sector (SAIL, ONGC)
- Private sector
- Joint sector
Importance of Industries
- Economic growth driver.
- Creates employment.
- Provides essential goods.
- Promotes infrastructure development.
4. Industrial Location Factors
Industries grow where favourable conditions exist.
- Raw materials (iron ore, cotton)
- Power (coal, electricity)
- Labour availability
- Market accessibility
- Transport & communication
- Government policies
5. Infrastructure – Types & Importance
Infrastructure provides the backbone for economic development.
Types of Infrastructure
(A) Economic Infrastructure
- Transport (roads, railways, ports, airports)
- Energy (power plants, pipelines)
- Communication (internet, telecom)
- Banks & financial institutions
(B) Social Infrastructure
- Health facilities
- Education
- Housing
- Sanitation & water supply
Importance
- Boosts economic growth.
- Improves quality of life.
- Reduces regional inequality.
- Promotes industrialisation & trade.
6. Services Sector
The Service Sector (Tertiary sector) includes all activities that provide support services to primary & secondary sectors.
Key Components
- Transport & logistics
- Banking, finance, insurance
- Retail & wholesale trade
- IT & communication services
- Education & health services
- Tourism & hospitality
Importance of the Services Sector
- Largest contributor to GDP (India → ~55% of GDP).
- Major employment generator.
- Supports digital economy.
- Drives urbanisation and global integration.
7. UPSC Quick Revision Notes
Industry → Secondary sector; depends on raw material, labour, market, power.
Infrastructure → economic + social; essential for growth.
Services → banking, IT, transport, tourism; largest GDP contributor in India.
Industrial location theory → least cost, labour, proximity to market.
Plantation agriculture → single commercial crop + large estates.
Mixed farming → crops + livestock = stable income system.
8. Previous Year Question
Q. Which one of the following is the fastest-growing sector in India?
(a) Primary sector
(b) Secondary sector
(c) Tertiary sector
(d) Mining sector
Answer: (c) Tertiary sector
Related Keywords
Agriculture UPSC Notes, Industry & Infrastructure UPSC, Services Sector Geography, Economic Activities, NCERT Class XII Human Geography.
Sources: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography, NITI Aayog, Economic Survey (simplified).
