Accurate sectoral classification of economic activities underpins national accounting, policy targeting, and resource allocation. Misclassification distorts GDP measurement and misdirects welfare interventions across India's structurally diverse economy.
The primary sector encompasses activities that directly extract or harness natural resources — agriculture, fishing, mining, and animal husbandry. The secondary sector transforms raw materials into finished goods through manufacturing and construction. The tertiary sector provides services that facilitate the other two, including trade, transport, banking, and storage.
Dairy farming involves rearing animals for produce and is unambiguously primary. Weaving cloth converts raw fibre into fabric through a manufacturing process, placing it firmly in the secondary sector. These two pairs are correctly matched in the question.
Storage of agricultural produce is a service activity supporting the primary sector and belongs to the tertiary sector, not the secondary. Mineral exploration involves surveying and prospecting natural resources, making it a primary-sector activity, not tertiary. Both these pairs in the question are incorrectly matched.
Correct sectoral mapping informs schemes such as agricultural warehousing support and mining regulation frameworks. Misclassification can lead to inappropriate fiscal incentives, skewed employment data, and flawed input-output planning under national development programmes.
Of the four pairs, only two — dairy farming as primary and weaving cloth as secondary — are correctly matched. Precise sectoral classification remains foundational to evidence-based economic planning and equitable resource distribution across India's economy.
GS Answer Coach grades your Mains answer on structure, substance, and conclusion — in under a minute.
Essay Coach · GS Answer Coach · Cutoff Planner · 500+ Mains PYQs — free to sign up.