UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Over the Past Year, ICAR Developed 386 Improved Varieties Across 44 Crops, Including 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified Varieties: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Q1. With reference to ICAR's institutional status, the description of ICAR as 'an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)' most precisely means which one of the following?

  • A. It is a registered society that carries out and coordinates agricultural research with operational autonomy, while DARE provides the administrative and budgetary link to the Union Government
  • B. It is a statutory corporation created by an Act of Parliament and directly controlled on a day-to-day basis by DARE
  • C. It is a constitutional body whose members are appointed by the President on the advice of DARE
  • D. It is a wholly government-owned public sector undertaking whose research output is owned by DARE

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the two departments under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: 1. Both the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare function under the same Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 2. ICAR is the autonomous body linked to DARE rather than directly to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 3. DARE is the only department in the entire Union Government that has any autonomous research body attached to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Both the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare function under the same Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  2. ICAR is the autonomous body linked to DARE rather than directly to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  3. DARE is the only department in the entire Union Government that has any autonomous research body attached to it.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which of the following sectors is/are correctly identified as falling within ICAR's mandate of coordinating research and education, as defined at its establishment? 1. Horticulture 2. Fisheries 3. Animal sciences 4. Atomic energy research Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Horticulture
  2. Fisheries
  3. Animal sciences
  4. Atomic energy research
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. ICAR was established in 1929 as a registered society under which one of the following?

  • A. Societies Registration Act, 1860
  • B. Indian Companies Act, 1913
  • C. Indian Trusts Act, 1882
  • D. Co-operative Societies Act, 1912

Q5. ICAR's national agricultural research system, described as one of the largest in the world, comprises 113 ICAR institutes along with how many agricultural universities?

  • A. 74
  • B. 47
  • C. 63
  • D. 105

Q6. Within ICAR's institutional network, frontline agricultural extension and on-farm technology demonstration at the district level is primarily carried out through which one of the following?

  • A. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • B. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
  • C. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
  • D. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

Q7. Consider the following statements distinguishing biofortification from conventional food fortification: 1. Biofortification raises the micronutrient content of a crop during plant growth through breeding or agronomy, whereas conventional fortification adds nutrients during processing. 2. Biofortification can be achieved through conventional plant breeding, agronomic practices or transgenic approaches. 3. Unlike fortification, biofortification targets only fat-soluble vitamins and never minerals such as iron or zinc. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Biofortification raises the micronutrient content of a crop during plant growth through breeding or agronomy, whereas conventional fortification adds nutrients during processing.
  2. Biofortification can be achieved through conventional plant breeding, agronomic practices or transgenic approaches.
  3. Unlike fortification, biofortification targets only fat-soluble vitamins and never minerals such as iron or zinc.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The development and release of biofortified crop varieties (such as zinc-rich rice and iron-rich pearl millet) in India is carried out primarily by which one of the following?

  • A. ICAR-led National Agricultural Research System
  • B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • C. National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
  • D. Department of Food and Public Distribution

Q9. With reference to ICAR's achievements announced at its 98th Foundation Day (2026), which of the following is/are correctly stated? 1. 386 improved varieties were developed across 44 crops in the past year. 2. About 94% of these varieties are climate-resilient. 3. 29 of the varieties are biofortified. 4. Half of the varieties are genetically modified (GM) crops. Which of the above is/are correctly stated?

  1. 386 improved varieties were developed across 44 crops in the past year.
  2. About 94% of these varieties are climate-resilient.
  3. 29 of the varieties are biofortified.
  4. Half of the varieties are genetically modified (GM) crops.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), consider the following statements: 1. NICRA was launched by ICAR in 2011 as a flagship network project. 2. It carries out district-level climate risk and vulnerability assessment of agriculture. 3. Climate-resilient technologies are demonstrated in model villages through Krishi Vigyan Kendras. 4. NICRA is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. NICRA was launched by ICAR in 2011 as a flagship network project.
  2. It carries out district-level climate risk and vulnerability assessment of agriculture.
  3. Climate-resilient technologies are demonstrated in model villages through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
  4. NICRA is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 only

Q11. In the policy narrative invoked at ICAR's 98th Foundation Day, the term 'Viksit Bharat 2047' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. India's aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence, to which science-led agriculture is expected to contribute
  • B. A legally binding constitutional target that solely mandates the doubling of foodgrain output by 2047
  • C. A dedicated central scheme that exclusively funds biofortified seed research until 2047
  • D. An international treaty obligation that binds India only to climate-resilient farming targets by 2047

Q12. Among India's national research councils, which one is the apex body specifically for coordinating research and education in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences?

  • A. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
  • B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • D. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)