Indian Economy › Agriculture & Rural Development – UPSC Prelims PYQs

60 questions · 1995–2026 · answers as per the UPSC key · page 1 of 2

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Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ?

  1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
  2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
  3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (d) 3 only

Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022–23 : I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India. III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Show answer
Answer: (d) I, II and III

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission : I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both I and II

With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements : 1. 2. 3. any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Which one of the following best describes the concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field'?

(a) Resettlement of a large number of people, uprooted from their countries due to war, by giving them a large cultivable land which they cultivate collectively and share the produce
(b) Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations
(c) Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of agreed amount to the farmers
(d) A company extends loans, technical knowledge and material inputs to a number of small farmers in an area so that they produce the agricultural commodity required by the company for its manufacturing process and commercial production
Show answer
Answer: (b) Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations

Consider the following statements :

  1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
  2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
  3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Show answer
Answer: (c) All three

With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements :

  1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
  2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  3. The Tea Board's Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
  4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1 and 4

With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements :

  1. Worker productivity (₹ per worker at 2004 – 05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
  2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
  3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased.
  4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only

In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture ?

  1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
  2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
  3. Social Capital development
  4. Free electricity supply to farmers
  5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
  6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 6 only

Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past ?

  1. Minimum Support Price
  2. Government’s trading
  3. Government’s stockpiling
  4. Consumer subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes ?

  1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
  2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
  3. Consumption requirements of farm households
  4. Post-harvest expenses
  5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

Consider the following statements :

  1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
  2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :

  1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
  2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
  3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
(b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
(c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
(d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
Show answer
Answer: (b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.

With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements :

  1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.
  2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.
  3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.
  4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

As per the NSSO 70th Round "Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households", consider the following statements :

  1. Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
  2. Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
  3. In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Consider the following statements :

  1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years.
  2. The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only

Consider the following :

  1. Areca nut
  2. Barley
  3. Coffee
  4. Finger millet
  5. Groundnut
  6. Sesamum
  7. Turmeric The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above ?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
(b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only

Consider the following statements :

  1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
  2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only

What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the 'National Agriculture Market' scheme ?

  1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
  2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements : The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at

  1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
  2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
  3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 3 only

With reference to 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', consider the following statements :

  1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
  2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only

Why does the Government of India promote the use of 'Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture?

(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
Show answer
Answer: (b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil

With reference to 'Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach.
  2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme.
  3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and microirrigation equipment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the

(a) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(c) Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture
(d) Agricultural Produce Market Committee
Show answer
Answer: (a) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

In India, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the

(a) Essential Commodities Act, 1955
(b) Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States
(c) Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937
(d) Food Products Order, 1956 and Meat and Food Products Order, 1973
Show answer
Answer: (b) Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States

Consider the following statements :

  1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996–97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
  2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 for the development of water-use efficiency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed Village Concept’?

(a) Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
(b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
(c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
(d) Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
Show answer
Answer: (b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost

Consider the following pairs : Programme/Project : Ministry

  1. Drought-Prone Area Programme : Ministry of Agriculture
  2. Desert Development Programme : Ministry of Environment and Forests
  3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas : Ministry of Rural Development

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Show answer
Answer: (d) None

In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

  1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
  2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
  3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Show answer
Answer: (b) 3 only

With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
  2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
  3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Which of the following grants/grant direct credit assistance to rural households?

  1. Regional Rural Banks
  2. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
  3. Land Development Banks

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?

  1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.
  2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.
  3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.
  4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only

In India,

which of the following have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities?

(a) Commercial Banks
(b) Cooperative Banks
(c) Regional Rural Banks
(d) Microfinance Institutions
Show answer
Answer: (a) Commercial Banks

An objective of the National Food Security Mission is to increase the production of certain crops through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country. What are those crops?

(a) Rice and wheat only
(b) Rice, wheat and pulses only
(c) Rice, wheat, pulses and oilseeds only
(d) Rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rice, wheat and pulses only

In India, during the last decade the total cultivated land for which one of the following crops has remained more or less stagnant ?

(a) Rice
(b) Oilseeds
(c) Pulses
(d) Sugarcane
Show answer
Answer: (c) Pulses

Consider the following statements :

  1. The Union Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane for each sugar season.
  2. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends the Minimum Support Prices for 32 crops.
  2. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has launched the National Food Security Mission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Which of the following pairs about India's economic indicator and agricultural production (all in rounded figures) are correctly matched?

  1. GDP per capita (current prices) : Rs 37,000
  2. Rice : 180 million tons
  3. Wheat : 75 million tons

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only

Which one amongst the following has the largest livestock population in the world?

(a) Brazil
(b) China
(c) India
(d) USA
Show answer
Answer: (c) India

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

  1. Bengaluru
  2. Guntur
  3. Kottayam
  4. Kolkata

List-I (Board) A. Coffee Board B. Rubber Board C. Tea Board D. Tobacco Board

List-II (Headquarters)

Code:

(a) A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
(b) A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2
(c) A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1
(d) A-1 B-4 C-3 D-2
Show answer
Answer: (b) A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2

Consider the following statements in respect of welfare schemes launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India:

  1. Drinking water for rural areas is one of the components of the Bharat Nirman Plan.
  2. In the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 there is a provision that the statutory minimum wage applicable to agriculture workers in the State has to be paid to the workers under the Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements :

  1. India is the only country in the world producing all the five known commercial varieties of silk.
  2. India is the largest producer of sugar in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only

Which one of the following companies has started a rural marketing network called ‘e-chaupals’?

(a) ITC
(b) Dabur
(c) Proctor and Gamble
(d) Hindustan Lever
Show answer
Answer: (a) ITC

Consider the following statements:

  1. The loans disbursed to farmers under Kisan Credit Card Scheme are covered under Rashtriya Krishi Beema Yojna of Life Insurance Corporation of India.
  2. The Kisan Credit Card holders are provided personal accident insurance of Rs 50,000 for accidental death and Rs 25,000 for permanent disability.

Which of these statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only

Consider the following statements:

  1. Regarding the procurement of food grains, Government of India follows a procurement target rather than an open-ended procurement policy.
  2. Government of India announces minimum support prices only for cereals.
  3. For distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), wheat and rice are issued by the Government of India at uniform central issue prices to the States/Union Territories.

Which of these statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (d) 3 only

Consider the following statements:

  1. Farmers prefer to grow food grains with highly remunerative support prices.
  2. Most of the cultivation of oil-seed crops continues to be dependent on rainfall.
  3. Oils from the seeds of tree origin and rice bran have remained unexploited.
  4. It is far cheaper to import oil seeds than to cultivate the oil-seed crops.

India continues to be dependent on imports to meet the requirement of oilseeds in the country because

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements:

  1. India is the original home of the cotton plant.
  2. India is the first country in the world to develop hybrid cotton variety leading to increased production.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements:

  1. Molasses is a by-product of sugar production process.
  2. Bagasse obtained in the sugar mills is used as a fuel in the boilers to generate steam for the sugar factories.
  3. Sugar can only be produced from sugarcane as the raw material.

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 and 2

Consider the following statements:

  1. India ranks first in the world in fruit production.
  2. India ranks second in the world in the export of tobacco.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) Only 1