Division of Indians into rich, poor, intelligent and dull' is an instance of

The correct answer is A, cross division.

The core concept is the rule of division in logic. A proper division splits a class by one principle (the fundamental basis), and the resulting groups should be mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive. The given division breaks this rule. It uses two bases at once: wealth (rich and poor) and intellect (intelligent and dull). Because these two bases cut across each other, a person can be rich and dull, or poor and intelligent, so the groups overlap. This is the fallacy of cross division.

• Logical division (D) is the correct type of division, but it requires a single basis. This example mixes two.
• Physical division (B) splits a whole into its material parts, such as a book into its pages. Indians are not a physical whole being split into parts.
• Metaphysical division (C) divides a notion into its essential or accidental attributes, not people into social or mental categories.

On the Mains side, this is useful for essay and ethics answers where people are sorted into labels like rich or poor, or capable or incapable. Such labels often mix criteria and mislead.

Trap: Aspirants often pick logical division because the groups look like a neat classification. Check whether all the labels come from one criterion. If two criteria are used, it is cross division.