Core Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Q1.Consider the following statements regarding the regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India: 1. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex regulatory body for GM crops, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 2. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prohibits the import or sale of any GM food without the approval of the GEAC. 3. A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective State government is a mandatory prerequisite for conducting field trials of GM crops. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q2.Consider the following statements regarding the status of GM crop cultivation: 1. In India, both Bt cotton and GM mustard (DMH-11) are commercially cultivated on a large scale. 2. India ranks first globally in terms of the total area under GM crop cultivation, followed by the United States and Brazil. 3. Unlike the United States, which cultivates a diverse range of GM crops, India's commercial GM crop portfolio is currently limited to a single crop. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q3.Statement-I: The Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has authorized the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet-based Products (PLISMBP). Statement-II: The Government of India is promoting the procurement and consumption of millets through their inclusion in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and the Mid-Day Meal scheme.

Q4.Consider the following statements regarding the Green Revolution in India: 1. The Green Revolution successfully modernized agricultural practices, but its benefits were primarily limited to foodgrains like wheat and rice, with no significant rise in the production of pulses and commercial crops. 2. A key characteristic of the Green Revolution was the provision of institutional credit at nominal interest rates, specifically targeting large landholding farmers to maximize output. 3. The Green Revolution led to a reduction in inter-regional disparities as its benefits were implemented uniformly across all states of India. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q5.With reference to agricultural trends in India from 2021-22 to 2023-24, consider the following statements: 1. The yield per hectare for wheat has shown a consistent increasing trend, whereas for rice, it has shown a fluctuating trend. 2. For pulses, both the total production and the gross area under cultivation have registered a consistent decreasing trend during this period. 3. As of 2023-24, the area under cultivation for rice is greater than the combined area under cultivation for pulses and coarse cereals. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q6.Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: India holds the unique position of being the world's largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses. Statement-II: The per capita net availability of pulses in India has fallen below the level recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), primarily due to a consistent decline in domestic production over the last three years. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q7.With reference to the recommendations of the Doubling of Farmers’ Income (DFI) Committee, consider the following statements: 1. The committee recommended that all policies should adopt a 'farm to fork' approach to prioritize a supply-push production system. 2. The committee suggested that agriculture should be mandated to generate raw materials for industrial enterprises, in addition to ensuring food and nutrition security. 3. A key recommendation was to increase public investment in agriculture to 4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). How many of the above statements are correct?

Q8.Consider the following statements regarding government initiatives in digital agriculture: 1. AgriStack is the designated data recovery centre of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), equipped with artificial intelligence for image analysis. 2. The National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA) was a centrally sponsored scheme launched simultaneously across all states and union territories in 2010-11. 3. The Digital Agriculture Mission, initiated for the period 2021-2025, aims to utilize technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and remote sensing. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q9.With reference to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), consider the following statements: 1. The concept of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) was introduced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2010. 2. One of the three core aims of CSA is the management of farms, crops, and livestock to conserve the ecosystem. 3. A best practice under CSA is to promote conservation agriculture and diversify through methods like intercropping. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q10.Consider the following statements regarding crop insurance schemes in India: 1. Both the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) have an identical premium structure for farmers for Kharif, Rabi, and commercial crops. 2. Under the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), compensation is paid for deemed crop losses based on yield data gathered from Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). 3. Following the 2020 revisions, enrolment has been made voluntary for all farmers, including loanee farmers, under both PMFBY and RWBCIS. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q11.With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), consider the following statements: 1. The premium to be paid by farmers for all Rabi oilseed and food crops is fixed at 2% of the sum insured or the actuarial rate, whichever is less. 2. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and is mandatory for all States to adopt under the 'One Nation—One Scheme' principle. 3. The 2020 revisions to the scheme introduced a cap on the premium subsidy provided by the government, which was previously unlimited. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q12.Consider the following statements regarding the (now repealed) Farm Acts of 2020: 1. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, provided for the delisting of cereals, pulses, and oilseeds from the list of essential commodities. 2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, set the maximum period for a farming agreement at one crop season or one production cycle of livestock. 3. A key provision of the Price Assurance and Farm Services Act was to protect farmers' land from being targeted for the recovery of any dues under a farming agreement. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q13.Consider the following pairs: 1. Golden Revolution : Jute production 2. Silver Fibre Revolution : Cotton production 3. Yellow Revolution : Oilseed production 4. Pink Revolution : Meat and poultry How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Q14.With reference to the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), consider the following statements: 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a uniform funding pattern of 60:40 between the Centre and all States. 2. The mission subsumed the National Horticulture Board and the Coconut Development Board. 3. One of its major objectives is to encourage farmers to form Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to achieve economies of scale. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q15.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Despite being the world's largest milk producer, India's per-animal milk productivity remains lower than the global average. Statement-II: Government initiatives like Operation Flood focused on increasing the number of milk co-operatives and expanding market access, while subsequent missions like Rashtriya Gokul Mission have emphasized the development and conservation of indigenous breeds. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q16.With reference to the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), consider the following statements: 1. The programme aims for the complete eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis by 2025. 2. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying with 100 per cent funding by the Government of India. 3. The programme's scope includes vaccination for cattle, buffalo, pig, sheep, and goat. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q17.With reference to fertiliser subsidies in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy determines the subsidy for all primary macro-nutrient fertilisers, including Urea, based on their nutrient content. 2. Under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for fertilisers, the subsidy amount is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiary farmers. 3. The New Urea Policy (NUP), 2015, is applicable to all urea manufacturing units in India to promote indigenous production and rationalise the subsidy burden. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q18.Consider the following statements regarding the Draft Seeds Bill, 2019: 1. The Bill mandates that farmers must register their farm-saved seeds to ensure they conform to prescribed minimum standards of germination and purity. 2. The Bill empowers the Central government to fix the prices of all varieties of seeds in the market to control monopolistic practices. 3. For registration of transgenic seed varieties, the Bill requires prior clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q19.Consider the following statements regarding the Biotech-KISAN programme: Statement-I: The Biotech-KISAN programme is a farmer-centric scheme implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Statement-II: The programme aims to connect available science and technology to farms by understanding local problems and providing scientific solutions, following a pan-India hub-and-spoke model. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q20.With reference to cropping patterns, consider the following statements: 1. In Sequence Cropping, the seeds of a succeeding crop are sown before the preceding crop is harvested. 2. Mixed Cropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously in a definite row pattern to ensure efficient resource utilization. 3. Ratoon Cropping involves leaving the root of a crop uncut for regrowth, but this practice leads to a decrease in productivity after every cycle. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q21.Consider the following statements regarding the regulation of organic farming in India: 1. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer's Welfare. 2. The Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) is a certification system managed by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). 3. For a food product to be certified as organic, it must mandatorily comply with the provisions of both the NPOP and the PGS-India systems. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q22.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Draft Model Contract Farming Act, 2018, proposes that contract farming activities be kept outside the regulatory ambit of the State Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs). Statement-II: A key objective of the Draft Model Act is to exempt buyers from paying market fees and commission charges to APMCs for produce procured through contract farming, as APMCs often do not provide any services for such transactions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q23.With reference to the changes in India's cropping patterns since 1950-51, consider the following statements: 1. The share of area under pulses as a percentage of the total area under foodgrains has consistently decreased. 2. The area under coarse cereals like jowar and bajra has significantly increased as a share of total foodgrain area. 3. The share of area under rice in the total area under foodgrains has decreased to less than one-third of the total. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q24.With reference to the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, consider the following statements: 1. The KCC was designed by NABARD and is exclusively implemented by it across India. 2. Investment credit requirements, such as for purchasing pump sets and sprayers, are classified under the short-term credit limit portion of the KCC. 3. For KCC loans, collateral security is waived for credit limits up to ₹1.60 lakh. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q25.Consider the following statements regarding certification marks in India: 1. The AGMARK certification, legally enforced by the Agricultural Produce Act of 1937, is administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 2. The FPO mark, which is mandatory for all processed fruit products sold in India, is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. 3. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification scheme is entirely mandatory for all industrial products to ensure conformity to Indian standards. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q26.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In the context of agricultural finance in India, loans taken to perform social obligations such as marriages and festivals are categorized as unproductive loans and are predominantly sourced from the informal sector. Statement-II: Institutional sources like Primary Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks specialize in providing short-term loans for consumption purposes to meet the basic needs of a farmer's family. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q27.With reference to the regulatory framework for Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, consider the following statements: 1. The primary legislation governing all activities involving GMOs, including research and commercial use, is the Food Safety and Standards Act. 2. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex statutory body for the approval of commercial release of GM crops. 3. Currently, multiple food crops, including brinjal and mustard, have received final approval for commercial cultivation across all states in India. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q28.With reference to the production of pulses in India, consider the following statements: 1. Rabi pulses, which require a mild cold climate for sowing, contribute to more than half of the total pulse production. 2. Gram (chickpea) and Arhar (pigeon pea) are the two most significant pulses, collectively accounting for over half of the production. 3. Unlike cereals like wheat and rice, pulses are primarily cultivated as Kharif crops across India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q29.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Despite India being the world's largest producer of pulses, it has recently experienced record-high import volumes. Statement-II: Government procurement policies for pulses under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism are as robust and consistent as those for wheat and rice. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q30.Consider the following statements regarding the cultivation of pulses and their impact on food inflation in India: 1. Being predominantly rain-fed crops, the production of pulses is highly sensitive to the performance of the monsoon. 2. A significant portion of India's pulse requirement is met through Kharif crops like Gram and Masoor. 3. Pulses, as nitrogen-fixing crops, improve soil fertility, which can reduce the long-term cost of cultivation for subsequent crops. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q31.Consider the following statements regarding India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme: 1. The programme aims to reduce dependence on crude oil imports, thereby decreasing the foreign exchange outgo. 2. To promote climate-resilient agriculture, the programme primarily utilizes surplus millets as feedstock for ethanol production. 3. The use of ethanol-blended fuel results in lower emissions of carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases compared to conventional petrol. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q32.With reference to the regulation of mineral resources in India, consider the following statements: 1. Sand is classified as a 'minor mineral', and the administrative control for its auction and management exclusively rests with the State Governments. 2. The Union Government is empowered to grant production leases for mineral resources, including construction-grade sand, located within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 3. Geological surveys have identified significant construction-grade sand deposits within India's territorial waters. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q33.With reference to the production landscape of key agricultural inputs in India, consider the following statements: 1. In the fertilizer manufacturing sector, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) account for the largest share of domestic production, followed by the private sector. 2. In the certified seed production sector, public sector entities continue to hold a dominant market share over private companies. 3. As per the current policy framework for strategic disinvestment, the fertilizer sector is classified as a 'non-strategic sector'. How many of the statements given above are correct?