UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Strategic Alliance between ICAR and NDDB to Strengthen Research, Innovation, and Extension
Q1. In the ICAR–NDDB Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2026, the document was executed on behalf of ICAR by an officer holding which designation?
- A. Director General, ICAR
- B. Deputy Director General (Animal Science)
- C. Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education
- D. Assistant Director General (Dairy Extension)
Q2. In the context of India's dairy cooperatives, the 'Anand Pattern' that NDDB was mandated to replicate is best described as which of the following?
- A. A wholly state-owned dairy corporation that alone procures and markets all milk in a district
- B. A three-tier structure of producer-owned village societies, district unions and a state federation
- C. A contract-farming model in which private processors exclusively own the entire milk supply chain
- D. A single national cooperative that centralises all milk procurement without district or village tiers
Q3. Consider the following statements about the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB):
1. It was established in 1965 at Anand, Gujarat.
2. It was accorded statutory status by an Act of Parliament in 1987.
3. Its founder chairman was Dr. Verghese Kurien.
4. Its founder chairman was Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.
Which of the pairings/statements above is/are NOT correctly identified?
- It was established in 1965 at Anand, Gujarat.
- It was accorded statutory status by an Act of Parliament in 1987.
- Its founder chairman was Dr. Verghese Kurien.
- Its founder chairman was Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q4. Phase I of Operation Flood (1970–80) was financed largely through the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil donated by which body?
- A. The World Bank under an IDA soft loan
- B. The European Economic Community, channelled through the World Food Programme
- C. The United States under the PL-480 food aid programme
- D. The Food and Agriculture Organization from its own reserves
Q5. During Operation Flood, the number of milksheds linked to major urban markets rose from 18 in Phase I to how many by the end of Phase II?
Q6. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) functions as an autonomous organisation exclusively under which of the following?
- A. Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- B. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- C. Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
- D. Ministry of Rural Development
Q7. Which of the following most precisely describes the legal/institutional character of the ICAR?
- A. A statutory corporation created by a dedicated Act of Parliament
- B. A registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
- C. A constitutional body established under a specific Article of the Constitution
- D. A public-sector undertaking incorporated under the Companies Act
Q8. With reference to India's position in global dairy as of the latest available data, consider the following statements:
1. India has ranked first in world milk production since 1998.
2. India contributes about 25% of global milk output.
3. India's milk production in 2023-24 was about 239 million tonnes.
4. India's per capita milk availability is below the world average.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- India has ranked first in world milk production since 1998.
- India contributes about 25% of global milk output.
- India's milk production in 2023-24 was about 239 million tonnes.
- India's per capita milk availability is below the world average.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q9. The 2019 MoU signed by ICAR to facilitate action research and up-scaling of ICAR technologies and innovative farmer models was concluded with which institution?
- A. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- B. National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
- C. Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC)
- D. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Q10. Within the ICAR–NDDB alliance covering the dairy value chain, the partner that contributes multidisciplinary scientific research and technology-development capacity is exclusively which body?
- A. NDDB
- B. ICAR
- C. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- D. National Dairy Research Institute (as an independent signatory)
Q11. As reflected in the 2026 ICAR–NDDB MoU proceedings, who holds the office of Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board?
- A. Dr. Mangi Lal Jat
- B. Dr. Meenesh Shah
- C. Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta
- D. Shri S. Regupathi