Previous Year Question
Identify the correct sequence of the following states in terms of fish production in descending order:
Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
According to fish-production data around the time of the question, for 2014-15 the total production of these four States was approximately:
Andhra Pradesh — 19.79 lakh tonnes
Gujarat — 8.10 lakh tonnes
Kerala — 7.26 lakh tonnes
Tamil Nadu — 6.98 lakh tonnes
Thus, Andhra Pradesh was clearly ahead among these four States. Its large inland aquaculture base, particularly freshwater and brackish-water aquaculture, was an important contributor to its high production.
Gujarat came next. Its long coastline and developed marine fisheries sector contributed substantially to its total fish production.
Kerala has also historically had a major marine fisheries sector, and in 2014-15 its total fish production was slightly higher than that of Tamil Nadu.
Therefore, the correct order was:
Andhra Pradesh > Gujarat > Kerala > Tamil Nadu
Current Status (2026)
The order among these four States has now changed slightly. According to the latest available Government data for 2024-25:
Andhra Pradesh — 55.39 lakh tonnes
Gujarat — 10.43 lakh tonnes
Tamil Nadu — 9.48 lakh tonnes
Kerala — 9.27 lakh tonnes
Thus, the current order is:
Andhra Pradesh > Gujarat > Tamil Nadu > Kerala
Therefore, while the question had Kerala > Tamil Nadu, the latest available data show Tamil Nadu > Kerala.