Forests currently occupy about what percentage of the total surface area of India, according to commonly cited national averages?

Introduction / Context:
Indian geography questions often ask about the proportion of the country's area under forests, because this reflects both ecological conditions and conservation policy. While the National Forest Policy sets a higher target, the actual recorded forest and tree cover in many older textbooks was significantly lower. This question refers to that commonly quoted approximate percentage.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question asks about the approximate percentage of India's total surface area currently occupied by forests. • Options provided are 19, 26, 28 and 30 per cent. • We treat the question as reflecting the traditional exam oriented figure rather than the ideal policy target.

Concept / Approach:
For many years, geography texts and exam handbooks have stated that forest cover in India is around one fifth of the total area, approximately 19 per cent. This figure is lower than the desired one third target laid down in the National Forest Policy. More recent surveys suggest slightly higher percentages when tree cover is included, but the classic value used in many exam questions is about 19 per cent.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the National Forest Policy recommends about 33.3 per cent area under forest, but actual recorded forest cover has been substantially lower. Step 2: Remember that older standard figures used in school texts quoted about 19 per cent forest cover for India. Step 3: Compare this approximate remembered value with the options given and see that 19 per cent is the closest match. Step 4: Reject higher figures such as 26, 28 or 30 per cent because they are closer to the long term aspiration rather than the historically reported situation.

Verification / Alternative check:
Traditional geography question banks and summaries of forest statistics frequently mention forest cover of approximately 19 per cent of the total area for India. These same sources contrast this with the one third target, highlighting the gap between the actual and desired forest cover.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (26 per cent) is higher than the standard rounded value used in many exam references and would understate the gap with the policy target. Option C (28 per cent) and option D (30 per cent) are even closer to the aspirational figure and do not reflect the commonly cited actual situation.

Common Pitfalls:
• Learners sometimes confuse the policy target of 33.3 per cent with the actual forest cover and then choose a higher value that seems close to one third. • Others mix up older data with newer survey results; however, most exam preparatory material still uses the approximate 19 per cent figure for questions framed in this style.

Final Answer:
Forests occupy about 19 per cent of India's total surface area according to commonly cited older averages.