Total Cropped area v/s Net Irrigated Area in India

In 2006-07, out of the total cropped area of India i.e. 1930 Lakh hectares, 850 Lakh hectares was Gross irrigated and 610 Lakh hectares was Net Irrigated. The following table shows the increased Total Cropped area and Net Irrigated area in the country.

The above table makes it clear, that the Net Irrigated Area in the country has got increased sharply (tripled) since 1950-51 in contrast with the total cropped area. So we can say that the benefit of irrigation is available to more land now than at the time of Independence.