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Agriculture India PYQs






πŸ“‹ Chapter 06 Β· Previous Year Questions

Agriculture in India β€” Previous Year Questions

10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Indian agriculture.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Agriculture questions focus on crop-state associations and cropping seasons. Master these.
πŸ“‹ 10 Previous Year Questions
UPSC Prelims2022MCQ
With reference to Indian agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. Rice is a Kharif crop.
2. Wheat is a Rabi crop.
3. Cotton is a Rabi crop.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 only

βœ… Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyStatements 1 and 2 are correct. Rice is a Kharif crop (sown June-July, harvested September-October). Wheat is a Rabi crop (sown October-November, harvested March-April). Statement 3 is incorrect β€” Cotton is a Kharif crop (not Rabi). Cotton is sown in June-July and harvested in September-October.

UPSC Prelims2020MCQ
The “White Revolution” in India is associated with:
A) Cotton production
B) Milk production (Operation Flood)
C) Egg production
D) Sugar production

βœ… Answer: B) Milk production (Operation Flood)The White Revolution (Operation Flood) is associated with milk production. It was launched in 1970 by Verghese Kurien (Father of White Revolution) through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). India became the world’s largest milk producer. The Amul cooperative model was the foundation of Operation Flood.

APPSC Group 12019MCQ
The largest producer of sugarcane in India is:
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Maharashtra
C) Karnataka
D) Tamil Nadu

βœ… Answer: A) Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane in India, accounting for about 40% of India’s sugarcane production. Maharashtra is the second largest. Sugarcane requires alluvial/black soil, high temperature, and abundant rainfall or irrigation. India is the world’s second largest producer of sugarcane (after Brazil).

TGPSC Group 22020MCQ
The largest producer of tea in India is:
A) Assam
B) West Bengal
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Kerala

βœ… Answer: A) AssamAssam is the largest producer of tea in India, accounting for about 50% of India’s tea production. West Bengal (Darjeeling) is second. Tea is grown in laterite/forest soil with high rainfall and acidic conditions. India is the world’s second largest producer of tea (after China). Darjeeling tea is famous for its unique flavour.

UPSC Prelims2019MCQ
The “Blue Revolution” in India is associated with:
A) Water conservation
B) Fish production (aquaculture)
C) Oilseed production
D) Horticulture

βœ… Answer: B) Fish production (aquaculture)The Blue Revolution is associated with fish production (aquaculture). India is the world’s second largest fish producer. The Yellow Revolution is associated with oilseed production. The Golden Revolution is associated with horticulture (fruits). The Pink Revolution is associated with meat/poultry production. The Silver Revolution is associated with egg production.

APPSC Group 22021MCQ
The largest producer of groundnuts in India is:
A) Gujarat
B) Rajasthan
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Tamil Nadu

βœ… Answer: A) GujaratGujarat is the largest producer of groundnuts in India, accounting for about 40% of India’s groundnut production. Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are also major producers. Groundnuts are grown in red/sandy soil. India is the world’s second largest producer of groundnuts (after China). Groundnut oil is widely used in cooking.

UPSC Prelims2021MCQ
The “Zaid” cropping season in India is characterised by:
A) Crops grown during the monsoon season
B) Crops grown during winter
C) Short-duration crops grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons (April-June)
D) Crops grown in hilly areas

βœ… Answer: C) Short-duration crops grown between Rabi and KharifThe Zaid season is a short cropping season between the Rabi and Kharif seasons (April-June). Crops grown in Zaid include watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, bitter gourd, and other vegetables and fodder crops. These crops require warm weather and are grown with irrigation. The Zaid season is also called the “summer season.”

TGPSC Group 12022MCQ
The largest producer of cotton in India is:
A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) Telangana
D) Punjab

βœ… Answer: A) GujaratGujarat is the largest producer of cotton in India, accounting for about 35% of India’s cotton production. Maharashtra and Telangana are also major producers. Cotton is grown in black soil (Regur) and is a Kharif crop. India is the world’s largest producer of cotton. Cotton is called “White Gold” due to its economic importance.

APPSC Group 12022MCQ
The “Operation Flood” launched in 1970 was related to:
A) Flood control in India
B) Dairy development and milk production
C) Irrigation expansion
D) Fish production

βœ… Answer: B) Dairy development and milk productionOperation Flood (1970) was India’s dairy development programme launched by Verghese Kurien through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It transformed India from a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest milk producer. The Amul cooperative model was replicated across India. It is also called the “White Revolution.”

UPSC Prelims2023MCQ
The “Evergreen Revolution” concept was proposed by M.S. Swaminathan to:
A) Increase forest cover
B) Achieve sustainable agricultural productivity without environmental damage
C) Promote organic farming
D) Increase vegetable production

βœ… Answer: B) Sustainable agricultural productivity without environmental damageThe “Evergreen Revolution” concept was proposed by M.S. Swaminathan as a response to the limitations of the Green Revolution. It aims to achieve sustainable agricultural productivity without environmental damage β€” addressing soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and biodiversity loss caused by the Green Revolution. It emphasises ecological sustainability alongside productivity.