(a) Why India lags behind many other countries in agricultural productivity? Suggest suitable measures to raise productivity…

Agricultural productivity India lags behind many countries in agricultural productivity because fragmented landholdings limit mechanisation, credit access and technology adoption. Irrigation covers only about half the net sown area, leaving much crop area monsoon-dependent. Input-use efficiency is low, with uneven use of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, while climate vulnerability—droughts, floods, heat stress and erratic rainfall—reduces yields. Market distortions, weak procurement, high post-harvest losses and limited value addition depress realisation. The contrast: Punjab and Haryana benefited from assured irrigation, high input intensity and market linkages under the Green Revolution, whereas eastern and central India experienced relative stagnation due to water scarcity, small farms and weaker infrastructure. To raise productivity sustainably, measures must be region-specific. Precision agriculture, using soil health cards, remote sensing and variable-rate application, can improve input efficiency. PM-KISAN should be converged with crop insurance, credit and extension services so income support links to productivity-enhancing practices. In NE India, organic farming clusters can reduce chemical costs and build premium markets. Water-use efficiency must expand through drip and sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation subsidies, water harvesting and canal lining. Crop diversification—millets, pulses, oilseeds and horticulture—can reduce water stress and improve nutrition. Strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations is essential for economies of scale in procurement, processing, branding and market access. These measures align with SDG-2 and can be strengthened through the Aspirational Districts Programme, targeting low-productivity districts with investment.

Island ecotourism The Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands have high ecotourism potential. Lakshadweep comprises 36 islands and 12 atolls, with coral reef ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Andaman and Nicobar, with total geographical area about 8,249 km² and forest cover about 6,742 km², offers mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, endemic species such as the Nicobar megapode, and dugong habitats. Adventure tourism—scuba diving, sea-walking, snorkelling and birdwatching—can be developed with strict environmental controls. Tribal cultural heritage, including the Jarawa and other indigenous communities, adds value, but Sentinelese and other exclusion zones must remain protected. The challenge is that island territories are ecologically fragile, with limited carrying capacity, scarce freshwater lenses, high dependence on imported goods and vulnerability to disasters such as the 2004 tsunami and cyclones. Connectivity costs are high, and governance under Schedule V and VI requires careful balancing of tribal rights, environmental protection and development. Security imperatives also constrain access and planning. Sustainable development therefore requires low-density, high-value tourism, waste and water management, renewable energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and institutional coordination through the Island Development Agency and related island authorities. This supports SDG-14 by protecting marine and coastal ecosystems while generating livelihoods.

Health indicators Health indicators vary sharply among Indian states. Kerala records an infant mortality rate of about 6 per 1,000 live births, while Assam is around 44; maternal mortality in the consistent SRS 2018–20 series is roughly 19 in Kerala and 195 in Assam. Life expectancy also differs, with Kerala near 75 years and Madhya Pradesh around 66. These gaps reflect institutional and social determinants. States with higher AIIMS density, better hospital infrastructure, stronger ASHA worker coverage and more effective immunisation and nutrition programmes perform better. Female literacy, sanitation access, drinking water, nutrition and social inclusion shape health outcomes. The National Health Mission has helped reduce disparities, but eastern and central states still need stronger primary health centres, skilled birth attendance, cold-chain logistics and community health workers. The Aspirational Districts Programme can track convergence in IMR, MMR, malnutrition and life expectancy.

Way forward India’s path is not uniform growth but region-specific correction: sustainable intensification in agriculture, low-impact ecotourism in islands, and equity-focused health delivery. Linking SDG-2, SDG-3 and SDG-14 with targeted schemes can convert structural weaknesses into inclusive development.