UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India Scales New Heights in Fertilizer Self-Reliance: P&K Production Hits Historic 15.76 LMT in January

Q1. As per the Department of Fertilizers, how many grades of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers are presently covered under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy?

  • A. 12 grades
  • B. 16 grades
  • C. 22 grades
  • D. 28 grades

Q2. With reference to the pricing and subsidy regimes for fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, subsidy on P&K fertilizers is fixed on the basis of their nutrient content, whereas urea is sold at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price. 2. The NBS scheme has been operational for P&K fertilizers since 1 April 2010. 3. Under the NBS scheme, the Maximum Retail Price of P&K fertilizers is fixed directly by the Central Government, while urea prices are left to be fixed freely by manufacturers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, subsidy on P&K fertilizers is fixed on the basis of their nutrient content, whereas urea is sold at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price.
  2. The NBS scheme has been operational for P&K fertilizers since 1 April 2010.
  3. Under the NBS scheme, the Maximum Retail Price of P&K fertilizers is fixed directly by the Central Government, while urea prices are left to be fixed freely by manufacturers.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, which houses the nodal body for fertilizer regulation, is organised into how many Departments?

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

Q4. The Department of Fertilizers, which regulates both urea and P&K fertilizers and announced the record January 2026 P&K output, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

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

Q5. The historic monthly high of 15.76 LMT in domestic P&K fertilizer production in January 2026 was reported by which one of the following?

  • A. Food Corporation of India
  • B. Department of Fertilizers
  • C. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • D. National Fertilizers Limited

Q6. In the context of the record January 2026 output, the term 'P&K fertilizers' refers exclusively to which one of the following?

  • A. Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers, principally DAP and NPKs
  • B. Phosphorus and Kalium micronutrient foliar sprays only
  • C. Phosphate and Kaolin based soil conditioners
  • D. Processed and Kharif-season blended fertilizers

Q7. Consider the following fertilizer–nutrient category pairs relevant to India's self-reliance drive: 1. Urea — Nitrogenous fertilizer 2. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) — Phosphatic (P&K) fertilizer 3. Muriate of Potash (MOP) — Potassic (P&K) fertilizer 4. Single Super Phosphate (SSP) — Potassic fertilizer Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Urea — Nitrogenous fertilizer
  2. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) — Phosphatic (P&K) fertilizer
  3. Muriate of Potash (MOP) — Potassic (P&K) fertilizer
  4. Single Super Phosphate (SSP) — Potassic fertilizer
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q8. India's combined domestic production of two fertilizer categories rose from 112.19 LMT in 2014 to 168.55 LMT by December 2025. Which one of the following is the principal phosphatic fertilizer counted in this figure alongside NPKS grades?

  • A. Muriate of Potash
  • B. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
  • C. Single Super Phosphate
  • D. Urea

Q9. For the Rabi 2025-26 season, the per-metric-tonne Nutrient Based Subsidy on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) approved by the Union Cabinet was:

  • A. ₹21,911 per MT
  • B. ₹27,799 per MT
  • C. ₹29,805 per MT
  • D. ₹32,110 per MT

Q10. In the long-term DAP supply agreements signed in July 2025 with Indian PSUs IPL, KRIBHCO and CIL, the entity 'Maaden' is best described as:

  • A. A Saudi Arabian state-owned mining company
  • B. A Moroccan phosphate-rock export corporation
  • C. A Russian potash producer
  • D. A joint India–Gulf fertilizer sovereign fund

Q11. Which one of the following is the principal nitrogenous fertilizer in India that remains under statutory price control, distinct from the decontrolled P&K basket?

  • A. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
  • B. Urea
  • C. Muriate of Potash (MOP)
  • D. Single Super Phosphate (SSP)

Q12. In the context of India's fertilizer import dependence — where roughly 90% of the requirement is imported — 'rock phosphate' is best described as:

  • A. The key raw material for manufacturing DAP and phosphatic fertilizers
  • B. A finished potassic fertilizer imported mainly from Canada
  • C. A nitrogen-rich feedstock used for producing urea
  • D. A soil conditioner applied only to raise soil pH