Why are there regional imbalances in India? Explain any six factors responsible.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

1 · Open in one line. Human-made gaps between regions in income, growth, literacy and services are called regional disparities.
2 · Historical factor. Colonial (British) rule ignored areas of little commercial or political use, such as tribal central and north-eastern India.
3 · Geographical factor. Deserts like Rajasthan's and the hills of the North-East hold back growth.
4 · Resources. Resources are unevenly spread, and some resource-rich states such as Jharkhand have not used them well.
5 · Remoteness and infrastructure. Regions far from national markets, or without roads, power and transport, cannot attract investment.
6 · Poor governance. The most important cause: weak governance, law and order problems and poor use of funds.
7 · Close in one line. Good governance and infrastructure are the keys to balanced regional growth.

Scoring tip: Name each factor first, then give one Indian example. Examples turn a list into a full answer.