UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Historic reforms for farmers’: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan shares details of new Seed Act

Q1. The draft Seeds Bill, 2025, on which the Union Agriculture Minister announced 'historic reforms for farmers', is intended to replace how many of the existing central seed-regulation instruments (the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983)?

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

Q2. The principal central legislation regulating seed quality that the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025) seeks to replace was enacted in which year?

  • A. 1955
  • B. 1966
  • C. 1983
  • D. 2001

Q3. Under the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025), the maximum term of imprisonment proposed for the deliberate sale or production of spurious/substandard seeds is up to how many years?

  • A. One year
  • B. Two years
  • C. Three years
  • D. Five years

Q4. With reference to the penalty framework proposed under the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025), consider the following statements: 1. The maximum fine proposed for selling substandard/fake seeds is ₹30 lakh. 2. Under the earlier regime the penalty was as low as up to ₹500. 3. Imprisonment of up to three years is proposed for deliberate offences. 4. The proposed fine represents an increase from a previous maximum of ₹5,000. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The maximum fine proposed for selling substandard/fake seeds is ₹30 lakh.
  2. Under the earlier regime the penalty was as low as up to ₹500.
  3. Imprisonment of up to three years is proposed for deliberate offences.
  4. The proposed fine represents an increase from a previous maximum of ₹5,000.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. Regulation of seeds (as trade and commerce in foodstuffs) is a subject on the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. As it stands today, the Concurrent List (List III) contains how many entries?

  • A. 47
  • B. 52
  • C. 61
  • D. 66

Q6. Trade and commerce in, and the production, supply and distribution of, foodstuffs including edible oilseeds and oils — the entry under which seed regulation is primarily located — appears as which entry of the Concurrent List?

  • A. Entry 14
  • B. Entry 26
  • C. Entry 33
  • D. Entry 41

Q7. With reference to the traceability architecture proposed under the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025), consider the following statements: 1. Every seed packet is to carry a QR code disclosing producer, dealer and seller details. 2. The QR code can be generated through a Centralised Seed Traceability Portal. 3. Registration of all seed companies is to be made mandatory. 4. The QR-code requirement extends to farmer-to-farmer exchange of traditional seed varieties. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Every seed packet is to carry a QR code disclosing producer, dealer and seller details.
  2. The QR code can be generated through a Centralised Seed Traceability Portal.
  3. Registration of all seed companies is to be made mandatory.
  4. The QR-code requirement extends to farmer-to-farmer exchange of traditional seed varieties.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q8. In the context of the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025), the 'Centralised Seed Traceability Portal' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A central-government platform for tracking seed production and distribution through which QR codes/labels on seed packets are generated
  • B. A state-level licensing register for seed dealers maintained under the Essential Commodities Act
  • C. A price-fixation exchange where seed companies bid for minimum support prices
  • D. An intellectual-property registry recording farmers' varieties under the PPVFR Act

Q9. In the evolution of India's seed regulation, the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An order promulgated under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, requiring licensing of persons who sell, export or import seeds
  • B. A subordinate rule framed under the Seeds Act, 1966, applicable only to notified varieties
  • C. A sui generis intellectual-property statute protecting plant breeders and farmers
  • D. A scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture establishing Krishi Vigyan Kendras

Q10. Which one of the following was the first central legislation in India to regulate the quality of seeds?

  • A. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955
  • B. The Seeds Act, 1966
  • C. The Seeds (Control) Order, 1983
  • D. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001

Q11. A farmer's right to save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell farm produce, including seed of a registered variety in an unbranded manner, is expressly guaranteed under which one of the following?

  • A. The Seeds Act, 1966
  • B. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001
  • C. The draft Seeds Bill, 2025
  • D. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Q12. Comparing the new Seed Act (draft Seeds Bill, 2025) with the earlier regime and its implementing machinery, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the Seeds Act, 1966, the draft Bill makes registration of all seed companies mandatory. 2. The draft Bill raises the maximum penalty for spurious seeds from up to ₹500 to up to ₹30 lakh. 3. India's network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which is to spread seed awareness, numbers 638 across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the Seeds Act, 1966, the draft Bill makes registration of all seed companies mandatory.
  2. The draft Bill raises the maximum penalty for spurious seeds from up to ₹500 to up to ₹30 lakh.
  3. India's network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which is to spread seed awareness, numbers 638 across the country.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3