What does the figure given below show?

The correct answer is Option (2) → Vasectomy.

The figure shows the male reproductive system. On each side the vas deferens has been tied at two points and cut between them. This is vasectomy, the sterilisation procedure in the male. With the vas deferens blocked, sperms cannot be carried out of the testis, so conception is prevented.

Option (1) Tubectomy. — Incorrect. Tubectomy is the sterilisation procedure in the female. A small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up. The figure shows male organs, not the fallopian tubes.

Option (2) Vasectomy. — Correct. In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum. The ties and the cut on both vasa deferentia in the figure show this.

Option (3) Medical termination of pregnancy. — Incorrect. MTP is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before full term. It has nothing to do with the vas deferens of a male.

Option (4) Disease in testes. — Incorrect. The testes in the figure are normal. Only the vas deferens is tied and cut, which is a surgical method of contraception, not a disease.

Note: The answer sits in a figure label, “Vas deferens tied and cut”. A minute spent on the labels of every NCERT figure can bring you a full five marks.

NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “… Surgical intervention blocks gamete transport and thereby prevent conception. Sterilisation procedure in the male is called ‘vasectomy’ and that in the female, ‘tubectomy’. In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum (Figure 3.4a) whereas in tubectomy, a small part of the fallopian tube is removed (Figure 3.4b) or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through vagina. These techniques are highly effective but their reversibility is very poor.”

Figure 3.4 (a) Vasectomy