Study the given Table carefully and answer the following question :

Composition of India's Export, 1997 - 2011

(Percentage share in Exports)

The export of which of the following commodities shows the sharpest increase from 1997 - 1998 to 2009 - 2010 ?

Crude and Petroleum products

The correct answer is Option (2) → Crude and Petroleum products

Let's calculate the increase in percentage share for each commodity:

1. Agriculture and allied products: Increase = (10.0 - 18.93) / 18.93 ≈ -0.421

2. Crude and petroleum products: Increase = (16.2 - 1.01) / 1.01 ≈ 15.049

3. Other commodities: Increase = (1.5 - 1.2) / 1.2 ≈ 0.25

4. Ore and minerals: Increase = (4.9 - 3.03) / 3.03 ≈ 0.614

The commodity with the sharpest increase in export from 1997-1998 to 2009-2010 is Crude and Petroleum products, with an increase of approximately 15.049 times.

So, the correct answer is:  Crude and Petroleum products