Approximately what percentage of India's population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities as a source of livelihood according to traditional economic data?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests understanding of the importance of agriculture in India's economy by asking what proportion of the population is employed in agriculture and allied activities. Even though agriculture contributes a smaller share to gross domestic product compared to services and industry, it still supports a large share of the population. Traditional economic data and many text books often quote an approximate figure used widely in competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for an approximate percentage, not an exact up to date survey number.
• It refers to the share of population employed in agriculture, not the share of agriculture in GDP.
• Options are 85, 70, 55, 40, and 30 percent.
• We assume the context of standard school and entry level exam material that often uses 55 percent as an approximate value.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, India has been described as an agrarian economy where a majority of people depend on agriculture. Over time the share has gradually decreased, but for many years economic text books have used around 55 percent as a widely accepted approximate figure for the proportion of the population engaged in agriculture and allied activities. This is higher than 40 percent and considerably lower than 70 or 85 percent. The approach is to recall this benchmark number and choose the closest matching option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that agriculture is a major provider of employment in India, more than any single non agricultural sector. Step 2: Remember that standard economic descriptions often state that about half or slightly more than half of the population depends on agriculture. Step 3: Compare this idea with the numerical options of 85, 70, 55, 40, and 30 percent. Step 4: Recognise that 55 percent best fits the idea of slightly more than half of the population. Step 5: Select fifty five percent as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Older national sample surveys and economic survey summaries often indicated that roughly half or a bit more of India's workforce was engaged in agriculture. Many school and college level text books, particularly for introductory economics, state that about 55 percent of the population earns its livelihood from agriculture and allied activities. Although the exact percentage may change over time due to structural transformation of the economy, competitive examinations frequently rely on this traditional value. Therefore 55 percent remains the expected answer for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Eighty five percent: This suggests a very extreme agrarian structure that does not match modern data and is far higher than accepted estimates.
Seventy percent: This option also overstates the role of agriculture in employment relative to standard figures used in text books.
Forty percent: This value is lower than the historical estimates that this question is based on and is not the conventional figure taught in basic economics classes.
Thirty percent: This is much too low for older data and does not reflect the traditional description of India as an economy where more than half the population depends on agriculture.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is confusing the share of agriculture in GDP with the share of population employed in agriculture. Agriculture may contribute around fifteen percent to GDP but employ a far larger share of people. Another pitfall is to use very recent estimates from advanced reports, which may show a lower percentage, whereas the exam setters and traditional material still rely on the older and more approximate 55 percent figure. To avoid confusion, always read the question carefully and focus on employment, not output.

Final Answer:
Approximately fifty five percent of India's population is employed in agriculture and allied activities.