UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan - Rabi 2026

Q1. With reference to the approaches promoted for balanced fertilisation of crops, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under Integrated Nutrient Management, the nitrogen supplied by a green manure crop ploughed in before transplanting rice is taken into account while fixing the chemical nitrogen dose for that rice crop.
  2. The 4R principle, on its own, prescribes replacing part of the chemical fertiliser dose with farmyard manure and biofertilisers.
  3. Splitting the nitrogen dose of wheat between sowing and later growth stages applies the 'right time' element of the 4R principle.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Indian farmers tend to apply nitrogen far in excess of phosphorus and potassium relative to the agronomic requirement of crops.
  2. Urea is sold at a statutorily notified retail price, whereas phosphatic and potassic fertilisers receive a fixed per-nutrient subsidy and their retail prices are set by companies.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Suppose urea were moved out of its present pricing regime into the Nutrient Based Subsidy regime that applies to phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, with its retail price left to manufacturers. Consider the following possible consequences: Which of the statements given above are likely consequences?

  1. The retail price of urea would become responsive to movements in international prices of urea and its feedstock.
  2. Nitrogen would become dearer relative to phosphorus and potassium, discouraging its excessive application.
  3. The Government's subsidy outgo per tonne of urea would automatically rise whenever international gas prices rise.
  4. The cost of production of an individual urea plant would cease to be the basis of the subsidy it receives.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the parameters reported on a Soil Health Card, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Organic carbon reported on the card serves as an indicator of the soil's organic matter status.
  2. Electrical conductivity reported on the card indicates the concentration of soluble salts in the soil.
  3. Because sulphur is classed as a secondary nutrient, its status is left out of the card.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Growing dhaincha and ploughing it into the soil before transplanting rice can lower the quantity of urea needed by the rice crop.
  2. Dhaincha absorbs nitrogen gas directly through its leaves and stores it as nitrate in its tissues.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. With reference to biological nitrogen fixation by leguminous crops used for green manuring, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Bacteria in the nodules of the legume convert atmospheric nitrogen into compounds that the plant can use.
  2. Heavy application of urea at the sowing of a legume crop tends to enhance its nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
  3. A Rhizobium strain that nodulates one legume species nodulates all legume species with equal efficiency.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only