In India, the main harvesting season for Kharif crops generally falls during which of the following periods?

Introduction / Context:
Understanding agricultural seasons is essential for both geography and economics sections of competitive exams. In India, crops are broadly classified into Kharif and Rabi based on the monsoon cycle and sowing and harvesting periods. Kharif crops are typically sown with the onset of the southwest monsoon and harvested later in the year. This question asks about the main harvesting window for Kharif crops, which include staples such as rice, maize, and cotton in many regions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question concerns Kharif crops in India.
• We must identify the period that corresponds to the main harvesting season.
• Options provide different month ranges: January to March, February to April, September to October, and November to January.
• Standard Indian agricultural calendar is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Kharif crops are usually sown at the beginning of the monsoon season, roughly between June and July, depending on the onset of rains. They grow during the rainy season and are typically ready for harvest in the early autumn months. In most parts of India, the main harvesting period for Kharif crops falls in September and October. Rabi crops, by contrast, are sown in the winter and harvested in spring, roughly from March to April. Therefore, among the options given, September to October correctly represents the Kharif harvesting season.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the answer by recalling specific crop examples. Paddy grown as a Kharif crop in many states is commonly harvested between September and October. Likewise, crops like cotton and maize also fit this pattern in large parts of the country. Meanwhile, Rabi crops like wheat are not harvested until around March or April, which confirms that winter and spring months belong to the Rabi cycle, not Kharif.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• January to March: This period mainly coincides with the late growth and harvest of Rabi crops, not Kharif crops.
• February to April: Also aligned with the harvest of Rabi crops such as wheat, not the monsoon dependent Kharif crops.
• November to January: This is more of a late harvesting or planting period for certain crops but does not reflect the main Kharif harvesting season in most of India.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Kharif and Rabi seasons, especially if they memorise only crop names rather than the sowing and harvesting months. Another pitfall is to assume that harvesting always follows immediately after monsoon ends, without considering regional variations. The safest strategy is to remember the general pattern: Kharif crops are harvested around September and October, while Rabi crops are harvested around March and April.

Final Answer:
The main harvesting season for Kharif crops in India falls during September to October.