Which of the following Indian states is considered the most irrigated state in India in terms of the share of net sown area under irrigation?

Introduction / Context:
Irrigation plays a crucial role in Indian agriculture, and some states have much higher irrigation coverage than others. This question asks which state is considered the most irrigated, usually understood in exams as the state with the highest proportion of net sown area under irrigation. Knowing this helps you understand regional differences in agricultural productivity and water use.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the most irrigated state in India. • Irrigation is measured mainly as percentage of net sown area under irrigation. • Options include Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Telangana and Bihar.

Concept / Approach:
In many textbooks and exam keys, Punjab is highlighted as the state with the highest irrigation intensity. Nearly all of its cultivated land is irrigated, due to canal systems from the Indus river tributaries and extensive tube well use. Haryana and some northern states also have high irrigation coverage, but they usually rank slightly below Punjab. Hill states such as Himachal Pradesh and newer states like Telangana do not match this level of irrigation intensity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Punjab is part of the Green Revolution heartland with high yielding varieties and heavy irrigation. Step 2: Remember that a very large share of Punjab farmland is irrigated through canals and tube wells. Step 3: Compare with Haryana and Bihar, which are also well irrigated but still have slightly lower percentages of irrigated net sown area than Punjab in classic exam data. Step 4: Himachal Pradesh is a hill state with limited cultivable land and relatively lower irrigation coverage. Step 5: Telangana has important irrigation projects but does not surpass Punjab in overall irrigation intensity, so Punjab remains the most irrigated state in exam context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian geography references and competitive exam guides list Punjab as the state with the highest percentage of net sown area under irrigation. It is also an important fact when explaining why Punjab has high yields of wheat and rice and plays a key role in national food grain procurement. This supports treating Punjab as the correct choice here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Himachal Pradesh: Has scattered agriculture and orchards but not very high irrigation coverage. Haryana: Highly irrigated and part of the Green Revolution region, but slightly behind Punjab in classic rankings. Telangana: Developing its irrigation infrastructure but not yet considered the most irrigated state in India. Bihar: Has important river systems and canals but historically has lower irrigation coverage compared to Punjab.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the state with the largest irrigated area in absolute terms with the state having the highest percentage of irrigated area. They may also mix up information from different years or sources. In most exam syllabi, the standard fact presented is that Punjab has the highest share of irrigated net sown area, which justifies its description as the most irrigated state.

Final Answer:
The most irrigated state in India in terms of share of net sown area under irrigation is Punjab.