UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare releases Second Advance Estimates of Production of major agricultural crops (Kharif & Rabi) for 2025-26

Q1. With reference to the cycle of Advance Estimates of crop production compiled by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The First Advance Estimates cover only Kharif crops, whereas the Second Advance Estimates cover both Kharif and Rabi crops.
  2. The Second Advance Estimates are released later in the agricultural year than the Third Advance Estimates.
  3. The Fourth (Final) Advance Estimates are the last in the annual sequence compiled by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The Advance Estimates of production of major agricultural crops are compiled and released by which one of the following?

  • A. National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
  • B. Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • C. Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices
  • D. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre

Q3. As per the Second Advance Estimates for 2025-26, by approximately how many Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) is Rabi foodgrain production estimated to have increased over the previous year?

  • A. About 46 LMT
  • B. About 53 LMT
  • C. About 23 LMT
  • D. About 12 LMT

Q4. Regarding the Second Advance Estimates of foodgrain production for 2025-26 compared with 2024-25, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Kharif foodgrain output grew at a higher percentage rate than Rabi foodgrain output over the previous year.
  2. Total Rabi foodgrain production marginally exceeds total Kharif foodgrain production in 2025-26.
  3. Kharif rice production for 2025-26 is estimated higher than in 2024-25.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Of the 22 mandated crops for which the Government announces Minimum Support Prices, how many are classified as Kharif crops?

  • A. 6
  • B. 14
  • C. 2
  • D. 8

Q6. With reference to the classification of crops into Kharif and Rabi seasons in India, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Jowar and bajra are Kharif crops, while barley and gram are Rabi crops.
  2. Rapeseed & mustard is sown in the Kharif season and harvested before the onset of the monsoon.
  3. The Kharif season largely coincides with the south-west monsoon, whereas Rabi crops are grown in the winter season.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The Government of India fixes the Minimum Support Prices of mandated crops primarily on the recommendations of which one of the following bodies?

  • A. NITI Aayog
  • B. Food Corporation of India
  • C. Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices
  • D. Directorate of Economics & Statistics

Q8. With reference to the procurement and price-support mechanisms linked to Minimum Support Price, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Paddy and wheat are procured for the Central Pool through the Food Corporation of India and State agencies.
  2. Pulses, oilseeds and copra are procured at MSP under the PM-AASHA umbrella when market prices fall below MSP.
  3. The MSP cost formula assures farmers a margin of at least 100% over the cost of production.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Which body functions as the lead centre, under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, for in-season crop forecasts based on remote-sensing techniques developed by ISRO?

  • A. National Remote Sensing Centre
  • B. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre
  • C. Space Applications Centre
  • D. Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute

Q10. The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) that compiles the Advance Estimates of crop production functions under which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
  • B. Department of Food & Public Distribution
  • C. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • D. Department of Agricultural Research & Education

Q11. With reference to the Second Advance Estimates for 2025-26, consider the following crop-figure identifications: 1. Wheat — estimated at a record 1202.10 LMT. 2. Kharif rice — estimated at 1239.28 LMT. 3. Kharif maize — estimated at 159.03 LMT. 4. Wheat production is lower than the previous year's 1179.45 LMT. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Wheat — estimated at a record 1202.10 LMT.
  2. Kharif rice — estimated at 1239.28 LMT.
  3. Kharif maize — estimated at 159.03 LMT.
  4. Wheat production is lower than the previous year's 1179.45 LMT.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q12. Central pool foodgrain procurement, buffer-stock maintenance and the Public Distribution System—areas informed by crop production estimates—are the principal operational responsibility of which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • B. Department of Food & Public Distribution
  • C. Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices
  • D. NITI Aayog