UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PM-PRANAM Launched to Promote Sustainable Fertilizer Use and Restore Soil Health Across States

Q1. PM-PRANAM is operated as a Central scheme. Which one of the following is the nodal department primarily responsible for its implementation?

  • A. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • B. Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Department of Agricultural Research and Education (ICAR)
  • D. Department of Rural Development

Q2. With reference to PM-PRANAM, consider the following statements: 1. Its acronym expands to 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth.' 2. Unlike most farm schemes run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it is administered by the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. 3. It is implemented as a sub-component of the Soil Health Card Scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its acronym expands to 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth.'
  2. Unlike most farm schemes run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it is administered by the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  3. It is implemented as a sub-component of the Soil Health Card Scheme.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the incentive mechanism of PM-PRANAM, consider the following statements: 1. The grant equals 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a financial year. 2. The savings are measured against the State/UT's previous three years' average consumption of Urea, DAP, NPK and MOP. 3. The scheme is financed through a separate budgetary allocation distinct from the existing fertilizer subsidy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The grant equals 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a financial year.
  2. The savings are measured against the State/UT's previous three years' average consumption of Urea, DAP, NPK and MOP.
  3. The scheme is financed through a separate budgetary allocation distinct from the existing fertilizer subsidy.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the design and grant rules of PM-PRANAM, consider the following statements: 1. The scheme has no separate budget and is financed from savings in the existing fertilizer subsidy of the Department of Fertilizers. 2. All States and Union Territories are eligible to receive grants under the scheme. 3. The grant may be used for asset creation related to production of alternate fertilizers and for awareness generation. 4. The grant is released only to States that have achieved net-zero chemical fertilizer use. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The scheme has no separate budget and is financed from savings in the existing fertilizer subsidy of the Department of Fertilizers.
  2. All States and Union Territories are eligible to receive grants under the scheme.
  3. The grant may be used for asset creation related to production of alternate fertilizers and for awareness generation.
  4. The grant is released only to States that have achieved net-zero chemical fertilizer use.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. PM-PRANAM was approved on 28 June 2023 by which one of the following?

  • A. Union Cabinet
  • B. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
  • C. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
  • D. NITI Aayog Governing Council

Q6. Under PM-PRANAM, a State/UT's subsidy savings are computed from the reduction in consumption of how many specified chemical fertilizers?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Six

Q7. With reference to the Nano DAP and Nano Urea farmer field trials promoted under PM-PRANAM's alternate-fertilizer push, consider the following statements: 1. The trials were conducted across all 15 agro-climatic zones of the country. 2. They were conducted by IFFCO under the guidance of ICAR and the supervision of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). 3. Nano fertilizers are intended to entirely replace all granular chemical fertilizers within the trial period. 4. Trials were carried out during Kharif and Rabi 2025-26, among other seasons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The trials were conducted across all 15 agro-climatic zones of the country.
  2. They were conducted by IFFCO under the guidance of ICAR and the supervision of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
  3. Nano fertilizers are intended to entirely replace all granular chemical fertilizers within the trial period.
  4. Trials were carried out during Kharif and Rabi 2025-26, among other seasons.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The Nano DAP and Nano Urea farmer field trials promoted under PM-PRANAM were conducted under the guidance of which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • B. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
  • C. Food Corporation of India (FCI)
  • D. Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute

Q9. As of July 2025, approximately how many Soil Health Cards had been distributed to farmers in India?

  • A. Over 5 crore
  • B. Over 11 crore
  • C. Over 25 crore
  • D. Over 40 crore

Q10. With reference to PM-PRANAM as an instrument of cooperative federalism, consider the following statements: 1. It works through grants-in-aid to States/UTs rather than the Centre directly regulating State-level fertilizer consumption. 2. States and UTs are the primary implementers and beneficiaries of the scheme. 3. Participation is mandatory and the Centre directly fixes consumption targets for each State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It works through grants-in-aid to States/UTs rather than the Centre directly regulating State-level fertilizer consumption.
  2. States and UTs are the primary implementers and beneficiaries of the scheme.
  3. Participation is mandatory and the Centre directly fixes consumption targets for each State.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) as supported by ICAR's long-term fertilizer experiments, consider the following statements: 1. INM combines inorganic fertilizers with organic sources such as manure, biofertilizers, green manuring and crop residue recycling. 2. ICAR long-term experiments indicate that balanced, integrated nutrient use maintains soil fertility. 3. The nitrogen use efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers generally ranges between 30% and 50%. 4. ICAR recommends applying nitrogenous fertilizers alone, without organic sources, for best long-term soil health. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. INM combines inorganic fertilizers with organic sources such as manure, biofertilizers, green manuring and crop residue recycling.
  2. ICAR long-term experiments indicate that balanced, integrated nutrient use maintains soil fertility.
  3. The nitrogen use efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers generally ranges between 30% and 50%.
  4. ICAR recommends applying nitrogenous fertilizers alone, without organic sources, for best long-term soil health.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. Among the chemical fertilizers whose consumption PM-PRANAM seeks to reduce, which one is the most consumed in India and is sold at a statutorily fixed Maximum Retail Price outside the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?

  • A. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
  • B. Muriate of Potash (MOP)
  • C. Urea
  • D. NPK complex fertilizers