UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Diversify agriculture and encourage farmers to grow pulses, SC tells govt.

Q1. Which of the following pair of agencies has been designated to undertake 100% procurement of Tur, Urad and Masoor from registered farmers under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA, as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26?

  • A. Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)
  • B. NAFED and NCCF
  • C. NABARD and Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC)
  • D. APEDA and National Horticulture Board (NHB)

Q2. Which one of the following is the umbrella scheme under which the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for MSP-based procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra is operationalised in India?

  • A. PM-KISAN
  • B. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
  • C. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
  • D. PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan)

Q3. With reference to the changes introduced in the procurement and pulses policy framework through the Union Budget 2025-26 and the subsequent Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31), consider the following statements: 1. The PM-AASHA procurement guarantee ceiling was enhanced from Rs. 45,000 crore to Rs. 60,000 crore. 2. A 100% procurement guarantee for Tur, Urad and Masoor was extended for four years up to 2028-29. 3. The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has replaced the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA as the procurement mechanism for pulses. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The PM-AASHA procurement guarantee ceiling was enhanced from Rs. 45,000 crore to Rs. 60,000 crore.
  2. A 100% procurement guarantee for Tur, Urad and Masoor was extended for four years up to 2028-29.
  3. The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has replaced the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA as the procurement mechanism for pulses.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for pulses notified by the Government of India each season is fixed on the recommendation of which one of the following bodies?

  • A. NITI Aayog's Working Group on Agriculture
  • B. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
  • C. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
  • D. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Q5. In the context of pulses procurement under PM-AASHA, the term 'Price Support Scheme (PSS)' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A direct income transfer paid to pulse farmers to compensate the gap between MSP and the prevailing market price
  • B. A mechanism by which central nodal agencies physically procure notified pulses, oilseeds and copra from registered farmers at MSP when market prices rule below MSP
  • C. A buffer-stocking operation in which State Civil Supplies Corporations alone procure pulses for the Public Distribution System
  • D. An export incentive scheme that supports domestic prices of pulses by subsidising overseas shipments