UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ahead of kharif season, India stares at fertilizer shortage

Q1. Which one of the following fertilizers has the highest import dependence for India as of 2025-26?

  • A. Urea
  • B. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
  • C. Muriate of Potash (MOP)
  • D. Single Super Phosphate (SSP)

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal Union body that administers the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme and the urea subsidy in India?

  • A. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • B. Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs
  • D. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q3. How many new mega urea plants (each of about 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonne per annum capacity) have been commissioned in India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat urea revival initiative since 2014?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q4. With reference to the pricing and subsidy regime for fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. Urea is sold at a statutorily fixed Maximum Retail Price, whereas the prices of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme are decontrolled. 2. The NBS Scheme for P&K fertilizers was introduced after urea had already been brought under statutory price control. 3. As of 2025-26, both urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) are entirely produced domestically without any import dependence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Urea is sold at a statutorily fixed Maximum Retail Price, whereas the prices of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme are decontrolled.
  2. The NBS Scheme for P&K fertilizers was introduced after urea had already been brought under statutory price control.
  3. As of 2025-26, both urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) are entirely produced domestically without any import dependence.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3