[General Studies I : Geography ] [250 words, 15 marks]

Answer Structure:

• Introduction: Why industries are developed
• Body: Various factors that favor a site against the disadvantages.
• Conclusion:  Greatest cost advantage 

Answer

Introduction

Industries are developed in response to human needs, converting raw materials into manufactured goods of greater utility. Industries must conform to certain standards of profitability to justify their existence.

 Body

When an industrialist sets out to find a suitable location for his factory, he has to assess the various factors that favour a site and set them against the disadvantages.

 Nearness to markets and low transportation costs may be deciding factors in one industrial location, while cheap labour and availability of raw materials or power may be more important at another site.

 A cheap labour force may not always be an advantage, for cheapness may indicate inexperience, resulting in low output or gross inefficiency.

 Many industries, too, require only a small labour force but a large capital investment and thus labour availability is of minor importance. Similarly, nearness to the market may not be an advantage if raw materials or fuels have to come from a greater distance, raising the cost of production to an exorbitant level.

 Moreover, the advantages of a particular area may change. For instance, an industry may have been established on a coal field to be near its fuel supplies. A change to oil or electricity as a source of fuel may invalidate this advantage.

Conclusion

Therefore, no single factor alone decides the location and growth of the industry. It is never an easy task to find an ideal site, but it is possible to find locations where advantages outweigh disadvantages.

 The main criterion is cost, and the best site gives the greatest cost advantage or the least cost disadvantage.

 (The model answer provided above strictly follows the word limit, the above answer is compiled in 262 words.)

Practising answers sticking to the word limit will aid the aspirants to write answers precisely and to the point by avoiding unnecessary things. 

(Titles introduction, body and conclusion are just for reference, aspirants should not write these titles in the answer sheet.)