UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — What is the Essential Commodities Act?

Q1. With reference to the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the expression 'essential commodity' is most precisely defined as —

• A. a commodity declared as such in the Schedule to the Act, which the Central Government may add to or remove from by notification
• B. any commodity listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India
• C. any commodity whose production is reserved for the Micro and Small Enterprises sector
• D. any commodity for which a Minimum Support Price has been declared by the CACP

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry administering the Essential Commodities Act, 1955?

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

Q3. Consider the following commodities as listed under the Schedule to the Essential Commodities Act, 1955: 1. Drugs 2. Fertilizers, whether inorganic, organic or mixed 3. Cement and steel products 4. Petroleum and petroleum products Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an essential commodity under the Schedule to the Act?

1. Drugs
2. Fertilizers, whether inorganic, organic or mixed
3. Cement and steel products
4. Petroleum and petroleum products

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 3 only
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and the present position of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, consider the following statements: 1. The 2020 Amendment permitted stock limits on agricultural produce only under extraordinary circumstances such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise or natural calamity. 2. The Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021 omitted sub-section (1A) of Section 3 of the ECA, which had been inserted by the 2020 Amendment. 3. Under the law as it stands today, the Central Government can never impose stock limits on agricultural commodities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The 2020 Amendment permitted stock limits on agricultural produce only under extraordinary circumstances such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise or natural calamity.
2. The Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021 omitted sub-section (1A) of Section 3 of the ECA, which had been inserted by the 2020 Amendment.
3. Under the law as it stands today, the Central Government can never impose stock limits on agricultural commodities.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to recent actions taken under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, consider the following statements: 1. The Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026 was notified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas under the ECA, 1955. 2. The Centre revised the wheat stock limit applicable to traders, wholesalers, retailers and processors with effect until 31 March 2025 under the ECA, 1955. 3. Fertilizers are notified as an essential commodity under the Act, and selling above the printed MRP is punishable under the Act. 4. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the statutory authority empowered to enforce penalties under Section 7 of the Act. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. The Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026 was notified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas under the ECA, 1955.
2. The Centre revised the wheat stock limit applicable to traders, wholesalers, retailers and processors with effect until 31 March 2025 under the ECA, 1955.
3. Fertilizers are notified as an essential commodity under the Act, and selling above the printed MRP is punishable under the Act.
4. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the statutory authority empowered to enforce penalties under Section 7 of the Act.

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 1 and 4 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4