π Chapter 03 Β· Previous Year Questions
Agriculture & Rural Economy β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Agriculture & Rural Economy.
π‘ Tip: Previous year questions reveal the exact pattern. Study these carefully.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in India, consider the following statements:
1. MSP is a legal guarantee for farmers.
2. MSP is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
3. MSP is currently announced for 23 crops.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. MSP is a legal guarantee for farmers.
2. MSP is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
3. MSP is currently announced for 23 crops.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
β
Answer: B) 2 and 3 onlyStatement 1 is incorrect β MSP is NOT a legal guarantee. It is an administrative price support mechanism. Farmers cannot legally demand MSP from private buyers. Statement 2 is correct β CACP recommends MSP. Statement 3 is correct β MSP is announced for 23 crops.
The Green Revolution in India was mainly confined to which crops?
A) Wheat and Rice
B) Cotton and Jute
C) Pulses and Oilseeds
D) Sugarcane and Tea
β
Answer: A) Wheat and RiceThe Green Revolution in India was mainly confined to wheat and rice. HYV wheat varieties (Sonora-64, Lerma Rojo) and HYV rice (IR-8) were the key crops. The revolution was concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, and western UP for wheat, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for rice.
NABARD was established on the recommendations of which committee?
A) Narasimham Committee
B) Shivaraman Committee
C) Swaminathan Committee
D) Rangarajan Committee
β
Answer: B) Shivaraman CommitteeNABARD was established on July 12, 1982 based on the recommendations of the Shivaraman Committee (Committee to Review Arrangements for Institutional Credit for Agriculture and Rural Development). It is headquartered in Mumbai.
Which of the following is a Rabi crop?
A) Rice
B) Cotton
C) Wheat
D) Sugarcane
β
Answer: C) WheatWheat is a Rabi crop β sown in October-November and harvested in March-April. Rice, Cotton, and Sugarcane are Kharif crops β sown in June-July and harvested in September-October.
India is the world’s largest producer of which of the following agricultural commodities?
A) Rice and Wheat
B) Tea and Coffee
C) Milk and Pulses
D) Sugarcane and Cotton
β
Answer: C) Milk and PulsesIndia is the world’s largest producer of milk (White Revolution) and pulses. India is also the largest producer of cotton and jute. India is the 2nd largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, and tea.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched in:
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2018
β
Answer: C) 2016PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) was launched in 2016. Under this scheme, farmers pay a premium of 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The government pays the remaining premium.
The “Golden Fibre” of India refers to:
A) Cotton
B) Silk
C) Jute
D) Wool
β
Answer: C) JuteJute is called the “Golden Fibre” of India because of its golden colour and economic importance. India is the world’s largest producer of jute. West Bengal is the largest jute-producing state. Jute is used for making bags, ropes, and carpets.
MGNREGA guarantees how many days of employment per year to rural households?
A) 50 days
B) 75 days
C) 100 days
D) 150 days
β
Answer: C) 100 daysMGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) guarantees 100 days of employment per year to rural households. It was enacted in 2005. Workers are paid minimum wages. If employment is not provided within 15 days, an unemployment allowance must be paid.
Which state is the largest producer of coffee in India?
A) Karnataka
B) Kerala
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh
β
Answer: A) KarnatakaKarnataka is the largest producer of coffee in India, producing approximately 70% of India’s total coffee output. The major coffee-growing districts are Coorg (Kodagu), Chikmagalur, and Hassan. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the other major coffee-producing states.
The Swaminathan Commission recommended that MSP should be fixed at:
A) A2 cost + 25%
B) A2+FL cost + 25%
C) C2 cost + 50%
D) A2 cost + 50%
β
Answer: C) C2 cost + 50%The Swaminathan Commission (National Commission on Farmers, 2004-06) recommended that MSP should be fixed at C2+50% β i.e., 50% profit over the comprehensive cost of production (C2 includes actual paid-out costs + family labour + imputed rent of land + interest on owned capital).