UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Progress of Area Coverage under Rabi Crops as on 9th January 2026

Q1. The crop-wise weekly area-coverage figures released in the 'Progress of Area Coverage under Rabi Crops' bulletin are compiled by which one of the following?

  • A. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
  • B. Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • C. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC)
  • D. Food Corporation of India (FCI)

Q2. Regarding the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) and the Normal Area benchmark, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

  1. The DES functions under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  2. The Normal Area is derived by averaging the last five years' sown area.
  3. Weekly Rabi sowing progress is reported against the Normal Area.
  4. The DES fixes the Minimum Support Price for Rabi crops.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q3. In the Indian agricultural calendar, the term 'Rabi crop' most precisely refers to a crop that is:

  • A. sown at the onset of the south-west monsoon (June-July) and harvested in September-October
  • B. sown in the winter (October-December) and harvested in spring (March-April)
  • C. grown in the short summer season between Rabi and Kharif with irrigation
  • D. grown throughout the year under fully assured irrigation, independent of season

Q4. Into how many principal cropping seasons is the Indian agricultural year conventionally divided?

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

Q5. As on 9 January 2026, which single crop accounted for the largest area under Rabi cultivation?

  • A. Gram (Chana)
  • B. Rapeseed & Mustard
  • C. Wheat
  • D. Rice

Q6. The weekly 'Progress of Area Coverage' bulletins for the Rabi and Kharif seasons are published by which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
  • B. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation

Q7. With reference to wheat procurement and the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS), which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

  1. Wheat for the central pool is procured by the Food Corporation of India along with designated State Agencies.
  2. The wheat procurement estimate for RMS 2025-26 was fixed at 310 LMT.
  3. Actual wheat procurement in RMS 2025-26 was about 300.35 LMT.
  4. The wheat procurement target for RMS 2026-27 has been set at 266 LMT.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only