UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — MoU signed between ICAR and the Agriculture Department of Seychelles during Prime Minister's visit

Q1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) directly administers a nationwide network of research institutes and national research centres. As per ICAR, approximately how many such institutes does it comprise?

• A. 63
• B. 88
• C. 113
• D. 141

Q2. ICAR functions as an autonomous body under which of the following, which provides its government interface?

• A. Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• B. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• C. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology
• D. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Q3. Consider the following areas said to be covered under the ICAR-Seychelles Work Plan (2026-2031) signed during PM Modi's visit: 1. Climate-smart agriculture 2. Horticulture 3. Post-harvest management 4. Joint hydrographic surveying of Seychelles' waters Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being under the ICAR Work Plan?

1. Climate-smart agriculture
2. Horticulture
3. Post-harvest management
4. Joint hydrographic surveying of Seychelles' waters

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

Q4. The Work Plan annexed to the 2026 ICAR-Seychelles MoU on cooperation in agricultural research and education runs for a period of how many years?

• A. Three years
• B. Five years
• C. Seven years
• D. Ten years

Q5. During PM Narendra Modi's State Visit to Seychelles in June 2026, the two sides unveiled how many outcomes across defence, digital payments, space, health, agriculture and education?

• A. 9
• B. 12
• C. 19
• D. 25

Q6. In geographical descriptions of Seychelles, its 'granitic islands' (the Mahé group) are best described as:

• A. Mountainous inner islands of granitic (continental) rock, distinct from the low, flat outer coralline islands
• B. Low-lying outer atolls built up entirely from coral limestone
• C. Recently formed volcanic cones rising from an active mid-ocean ridge
• D. Artificial, land-reclaimed islands created for tourism and port infrastructure

Q7. Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago and Small Island Developing State, is made up of approximately how many islands?

• A. About 26
• B. About 72
• C. About 115
• D. About 340

Q8. Consider the following elements attributed to the India-Seychelles Joint Vision (SESEL) unveiled in February 2026: 1. A Special Economic Package of USD 175 million 2. A line of credit of USD 125 million and grants of USD 50 million 3. Seychelles' decision to become a full member of BIMSTEC 4. An Indian grain donation of 1,000 metric tons Which of the above is NOT correctly matched with the Joint Vision?

1. A Special Economic Package of USD 175 million
2. A line of credit of USD 125 million and grants of USD 50 million
3. Seychelles' decision to become a full member of BIMSTEC
4. An Indian grain donation of 1,000 metric tons

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

Q9. As articulated by the United Nations, 'South-South cooperation' most precisely refers to:

• A. A process by which developing countries, regardless of geographic location, pursue development goals through mutual exchange of knowledge, skills and resources
• B. The transfer of concessional aid and technology from developed (Northern) donors to developing (Southern) recipients
• C. Preferential market access granted by the WTO exclusively to least-developed countries
• D. A collective security arrangement binding states of the Global South against external military threats

Q10. During the June 2026 visit, PM Modi was conferred which award, described as the highest civilian honour of Seychelles?

• A. Guardian of the Blue Horizon
• B. Order of the Golden Turtle
• C. Grand Cross of the Indian Ocean
• D. Chevalier of the Coco de Mer

Q11. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)?

• A. It is a department within the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (created in 1973) that provides the government interface for ICAR and handles international cooperation in agricultural research and education
• B. It is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, headquartered at Pusa, New Delhi
• C. It is the apex research council that directly runs 113 institutes and 74 agricultural universities
• D. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations coordinating global agricultural research