Introduction to Secondary Activities
- Secondary activities involve the processing of raw materials into finished goods or semi-finished products.
- Characteristics:
- Adds value to raw materials.
- Involves manufacturing, construction, and processing industries.
- Requires capital investment, skilled labor, and infrastructure.
Examples:
- Iron and steel industry – Converts iron ore into steel.
- Textile industry – Processes cotton into fabric.
- Chemical industry – Produces fertilizers, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Types of Manufacturing Industries
A. Based on Raw Materials
| Type | Characteristics | Examples |
| Agro-based Industries | Use agricultural raw materials. | Cotton textiles, sugar mills, dairy industry. |
| Mineral-based Industries | Depend on mineral resources. | Iron and steel, aluminum, cement. |
| Chemical-based Industries | Process chemicals into usable products. | Fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals. |
| Forest-based Industries | Use wood and plant materials. | Paper, furniture, rubber processing. |
| Animal-based Industries | Use products from animals. | Leather, wool, dairy. |
B. Based on Size
| Type | Characteristics | Examples |
| Large-Scale Industries | High capital investment, mechanized, large workforce. | Automobiles (Tata Motors), Steel (SAIL). |
| Medium-Scale Industries | Moderate investment, smaller workforce. | Textiles, machine tools. |
| Small-Scale Industries (SSI) | Low investment, labor-intensive. | Handicrafts, pottery, bakery. |
| Cottage Industries | Home-based, family-run, traditional techniques. | Handloom weaving, embroidery. |
C. Based on Ownership
| Type | Characteristics | Examples |
| Public Sector | Owned by the government. | SAIL, BHEL, HAL. |
| Private Sector | Owned by individuals or companies. | Reliance, Tata Steel. |
| Joint Sector | Partnership between government and private sector. | Maruti Suzuki (Govt + Suzuki). |
| Cooperative Sector | Owned and operated by cooperatives. | Amul, Mother Dairy. |
Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Industries require various factors for efficient operation and profitability.
A. Raw Material Availability
- Industries near raw materials reduce transportation costs.
- Example: Iron and steel industries near iron ore mines (Jharkhand, Odisha).
B. Power Supply
- Industries need electricity, coal, petroleum, or hydropower.
- Example: Aluminum industry near hydroelectric plants (Hindalco in Renukoot, UP).
C. Transport and Communication
- Roads, railways, ports, and airports are necessary for distribution.
- Example: Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata have port-based industries.
D. Labor Availability
- Skilled and unskilled workers are essential.
- Example: Textile industry in Tamil Nadu (cheap labor).
E. Market Demand
- Industries thrive where demand is high.
- Example: Consumer goods industries near urban centers (FMCG in Delhi, Mumbai).
F. Capital and Technology
- Requires investment, infrastructure, and modern machinery.
- Example: IT industry in Bengaluru due to tech ecosystem.
Industrial Regions of the World
| Region | Key Industries | Countries |
| North America | Automobiles, aerospace, electronics | USA, Canada |
| Europe | Machinery, automobiles, steel | Germany, UK, France |
| East Asia | Electronics, textiles, shipbuilding | China, Japan, South Korea |
| South Asia | Textiles, IT, pharmaceuticals | India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
Industrial Regions of India
| Region | Major Industries |
| Mumbai-Pune Region | Textiles, automobiles, petrochemicals |
| Delhi-Noida-Gurgaon Region | IT, electronics, automobile manufacturing |
| Bengaluru-Chennai Region | IT, aerospace, automobile |
| Kolkata-Haldia Region | Jute, heavy engineering, petrochemicals |
| Gujarat Industrial Corridor | Petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, diamonds |
Industrial Hazards and Environmental Issues
A. Pollution
- Air pollution – Emissions from factories (Delhi, Kanpur).
- Water pollution – Chemical waste in rivers (Ganga pollution).
- Soil degradation – Industrial effluents causing loss of fertility.
B. Industrial Accidents
- Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) – MIC gas leak from Union Carbide.
- Vishakhapatnam Gas Leak (2020) – Styrene gas from LG Polymers.
C. Sustainable Industrial Practices
- Pollution control laws – Environment Protection Act (1986).
- Renewable energy use – Solar, wind power for industries.
- Waste management – Recycling and proper disposal.
Government Initiatives for Industrial Development
| Initiative | Objective |
| Make in India | Boost manufacturing and investment. |
| Industrial Corridors | Develop industrial hubs along highways (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor). |
| Special Economic Zones (SEZs) | Export-oriented industries with tax benefits. |
| Skill India Mission | Train workforce for industries. |
Conclusion
- Secondary activities play a crucial role in economic development.
- Technological advancements and sustainable practices are necessary for long-term growth.
- Government policies and investments can enhance industrial competitiveness.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding Secondary Activities:
- Secondary activities involve the direct extraction of natural resources.
- These activities add value to raw materials by converting them into finished or semi-finished products.
- Construction and processing industries fall under secondary activities.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because secondary activities involve the processing of raw materials, not direct extraction (which falls under primary activities). Statements 2 and 3 are correct as secondary activities include manufacturing, construction, and processing.
2. Which of the following industries is an example of a mineral-based industry?
A. Cotton textiles
B. Paper manufacturing
C. Leather processing
D. Cement
Answer: D
Explanation: Mineral-based industries depend on mineral resources. Cement is a mineral-based industry as it uses limestone, whereas cotton textiles, leather, and paper industries rely on agricultural or animal resources.
3. Consider the following statements about factors affecting industrial location:
- Industries located near raw material sources reduce transportation costs.
- Skilled labor is a major determinant in the location of knowledge-based industries.
- All industries require access to seaports for export-oriented production.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because not all industries require seaport access; only export-oriented industries depend on ports. Statements 1 and 2 are correct as raw material proximity reduces transport costs, and knowledge-based industries require skilled labor.
4. Which of the following industries is correctly matched with its ownership type?
A. Maruti Suzuki – Cooperative Sector
B. SAIL – Private Sector
C. Amul – Cooperative Sector
D. Reliance – Public Sector
Answer: C
Explanation: Amul is a cooperative sector industry. Maruti Suzuki is a joint sector (Government + Suzuki), SAIL is a public sector industry, and Reliance is private.
5. Consider the following pairs:
| Industrial Region | Major Industry |
| Mumbai-Pune | Textiles, Automobiles |
| Kolkata-Haldia | IT, Aerospace |
| Gujarat Corridor | Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals |
Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: C
Explanation: Pair 2 is incorrect because Kolkata-Haldia is known for jute, heavy engineering, and petrochemicals, not IT and aerospace. Mumbai-Pune and Gujarat Corridor are correctly matched.
6. Which of the following correctly differentiates Large-Scale and Small-Scale Industries?
A. Large-scale industries are labor-intensive, whereas small-scale industries are capital-intensive.
B. Large-scale industries require high capital investment, whereas small-scale industries require low investment.
C. Small-scale industries are usually mechanized, whereas large-scale industries rely on manual labor.
D. Small-scale industries produce mass-market goods, whereas large-scale industries produce customized products.
Answer: B
Explanation: Large-scale industries require high capital investment and are highly mechanized, whereas small-scale industries require lower investment and are often labor-intensive.
7. Which of the following is an example of a public sector industry in India?
A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
B. Infosys
C. Tata Steel
D. Amul
Answer: A
Explanation: HAL is a government-owned public sector enterprise. Infosys and Tata Steel are private sector industries, while Amul is a cooperative sector enterprise.
8. Which of the following correctly describes the impact of industrialization on the environment?
A. Industrialization leads to increased biodiversity.
B. Industries contribute to water and air pollution through emissions and waste disposal.
C. Industrialization results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
D. Industries have no impact on soil degradation.
Answer: B
Explanation: Industries contribute significantly to air and water pollution due to emissions and chemical waste disposal. Industrialization increases greenhouse gas emissions and can lead to soil degradation.
9. Consider the following government initiatives for industrial development:
- Make in India – Promotes domestic manufacturing and foreign investment.
- Industrial Corridors – Focus on developing industries along major highways.
- Skill India Mission – Aims to provide skilled workforce for manufacturing and service industries.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All three statements are correct. “Make in India” boosts manufacturing, “Industrial Corridors” develop industrial hubs along highways, and “Skill India Mission” enhances workforce training.
10. Which of the following is a major challenge faced by industries in India?
A. Abundant availability of capital investment
B. Lack of raw materials across all industrial sectors
C. Environmental degradation due to pollution and waste disposal
D. No impact of industrialization on traditional crafts and cottage industries
Answer: C
Explanation: Environmental degradation is a major challenge due to pollution, waste disposal, and resource depletion. India does not face a universal raw material shortage, and traditional industries are often impacted by industrialization.
