Agriculture MCQs for UPSC Prelims

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

It is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, headquartered at Pusa, New Delhi

Answer

It is the apex research council that directly runs 113 institutes and 74 agricultural universities

Answer

It is a specialised agency of the United Nations coordinating global agricultural research

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Answer

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Answer

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

113

Answer

63

Answer

88

Answer

141

Question 4

Under the Centrally Sponsored PMKSY-PDMC component, in what ratio are funds shared between the Centre and the State for general (non-North-Eastern, non-Himalayan) States?

Accepted Answer

60:40

Answer

50:50

Answer

75:25

Answer

90:10

Question 5

The Economic Survey 2024-25 noted that 'irrigation intensity' rose from 144.2 per cent to 154.5 per cent. In this context, 'irrigation intensity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

the ratio of gross irrigated area to net irrigated area, expressed as a percentage

Answer

the ratio of gross irrigated area to gross cropped area, expressed as a percentage

Answer

the ratio of net irrigated area to total geographical area, expressed as a percentage

Answer

the ratio of area under micro-irrigation to total cultivable area, expressed as a percentage

Question 6

Consider the following statements regarding PMKSY's financial parameters:
1. PMKSY for the 2021-26 cycle was approved with a total outlay of Rs.93,068 crore.
2. Within this, the central support component to States is Rs.37,454 crore.
3. The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs.6,587 crore to PMKSY.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Question 7

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), now a component of PMKSY, was originally launched by the Government of India in which year to provide central assistance for major and medium irrigation projects?

Accepted Answer

1996-97

Answer

1991-92

Answer

2004-05

Answer

2015-16

Question 8

In the context of PMKSY, the description of the scheme as an 'umbrella' Centrally Sponsored Scheme most precisely means that it:

Accepted Answer

converged and consolidated several pre-existing irrigation programmes (such as AIBP) under a single integrated framework

Answer

is funded entirely by the Central Government with no State contribution

Answer

is confined exclusively to micro-irrigation through drip and sprinkler systems

Answer

provides crop insurance coverage against irrigation failure

Question 9

In which year was the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) launched as an umbrella scheme converging pre-existing irrigation programmes?

Accepted Answer

2015-16

Answer

2014-15

Answer

2016-17

Answer

2019-20

Question 10

The dedicated fund created to enable States to mobilise resources for providing top-up incentives to farmers for micro-irrigation beyond PMKSY-PDMC provisions was set up with which one of the following institutions?

Accepted Answer

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Answer

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

Answer

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Answer

National Water Development Agency (NWDA)

Question 11

With reference to the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component and micro-irrigation under PMKSY, consider the following:
1. PDMC promotes water-use efficiency mainly through drip and sprinkler irrigation.
2. A Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with a corpus of Rs.5,000 crore has been created under NABARD.
3. The Government of India provides a 3% interest subvention on loans extended to State Governments under the MIF.
4. PDMC is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 12

The 'Per Drop More Crop' (PDMC) component of PMKSY, focused on enhancing water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation, is operationalised by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Jal Shakti

Answer

Department of Land Resources

Answer

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Question 13

The 'Har Khet Ko Pani' (HKKP) component of PMKSY, implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, comprises how many sub-components?

Accepted Answer

Four

Answer

Two

Answer

Three

Answer

Six

Question 14

Consider the following statements about CARTMAN, the body associated with the bullock-cart redesign project. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 only

Answer

3 and 4

Question 15

The two-year project begun in April 2001 to redesign six bullock-cart variants for difficult rural terrain was funded by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Answer

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Answer

Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Answer

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Question 16

Which mango variety became the first to be commercially exported from India to Singapore by sea route under the ICAR-CISH protocol?

Accepted Answer

Banganapalli

Answer

Alphonso

Answer

Kesar

Answer

Dasheri

Question 17

In the context of mango sea exports, a 'reefer container' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A refrigerated shipping container with controlled temperature and atmosphere for transporting perishables

Answer

An air-cargo unit load device fitted with ethylene scrubbers

Answer

A bonded warehouse maintained at ambient temperature near the port

Answer

A fumigation chamber used to disinfest fruit before loading

Question 18

The statutory authority that, in collaboration with ICAR-CISH, facilitated the cost-cutting commercial sea shipment of mangoes is:

Accepted Answer

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Answer

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

Answer

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)

Answer

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Question 19

The scientific sea-shipment protocol developed by ICAR-CISH and APEDA extends the shelf life of fresh mangoes to up to how many days?

Accepted Answer

30 days

Answer

15 days

Answer

45 days

Answer

60 days

Question 20

In the context of the ICAR-CISH sea-shipment protocol for mangoes, what is 'CISH-Met Wash'?

Accepted Answer

An ICAR-CISH-developed post-harvest treatment that enhances shelf life and minimises disease incidence during long-distance transport

Answer

A controlled-atmosphere reefer container that regulates ethylene levels in transit

Answer

A vapour-heat disinfestation method targeting fruit-fly larvae for quarantine clearance

Answer

An edible wax coating applied to obtain Geographical Indication certification

Question 21

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) functions as a statutory body under which one of the following ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Answer

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Question 22

In the 2026 El Niño assessment, how many districts were classified as being of 'primary concern' on account of irrigation coverage below 25%?

Accepted Answer

111

Answer

76

Answer

128

Answer

315

Question 23

Among the three priority categories into which the 315 vulnerable districts were grouped in 2026, which category contains the largest number of districts?

Accepted Answer

Category 3 (low priority, better irrigation)

Answer

Category 1 (primary concern, irrigation below 25%)

Answer

Category 2 (medium priority, irrigation 25–50%)

Answer

All three categories contain an equal number of districts

Question 24

With reference to the three-tier classification of the 315 vulnerable districts in the 2026 El Niño contingency assessment, consider the following statements:
1. Category 1 (primary concern) districts have irrigation coverage below 25%.
2. Category 2 (medium priority) districts have irrigation coverage between 25% and 50%.
3. Category 3 (low priority) districts are fewer in number than Category 1 districts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 25

In the 2026 El Niño preparedness exercise, the term 'district of primary concern' (Category 1) is defined on the basis of which one of the following criteria?

Accepted Answer

A district where irrigation coverage is below 25%, making it almost entirely rain-fed

Answer

A district where the entire net sown area lies within the monsoon core zone

Answer

A district that recorded more than 50% rainfall deficit in the previous Kharif season

Answer

A district where groundwater extraction has been officially classified as 'over-exploited'

Question 26

The Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for the 22 mandated crops are announced by the Government of India primarily on the basis of recommendations made by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

Answer

NITI Aayog

Answer

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Answer

National Statistical Commission

Question 27

The assured 100% procurement of tur, urad and masoor under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is carried out under which one of the following umbrella schemes?

Accepted Answer

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

Answer

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Answer

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Answer

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Question 28

NAFED serves as the principal central nodal cooperative agency for MSP-based procurement of which one of the following categories of agricultural commodities?

Accepted Answer

Pulses and oilseeds

Answer

Wheat and paddy

Answer

Cotton and jute

Answer

Sugarcane and tobacco

Question 29

The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses', approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore, covers which one of the following implementation periods?

Accepted Answer

2025-26 to 2030-31

Answer

2024-25 to 2029-30

Answer

2025-26 to 2029-30

Answer

2026-27 to 2031-32

Question 30

Under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (approved 2025), which one of the following is the apex cooperative marketing agency tasked with assured procurement of the target pulses at MSP?

Accepted Answer

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)

Answer

Food Corporation of India (FCI)

Answer

Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC)

Answer

National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF)

Agriculture MCQs for UPSC Prelims

Q1. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)?

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

Q3. 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?

Q4. Under the Centrally Sponsored PMKSY-PDMC component, in what ratio are funds shared between the Centre and the State for general (non-North-Eastern, non-Himalayan) States?

Q5. The Economic Survey 2024-25 noted that 'irrigation intensity' rose from 144.2 per cent to 154.5 per cent. In this context, 'irrigation intensity' refers to:

Q7. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), now a component of PMKSY, was originally launched by the Government of India in which year to provide central assistance for major and medium irrigation projects?

Q8. In the context of PMKSY, the description of the scheme as an 'umbrella' Centrally Sponsored Scheme most precisely means that it:

Q9. In which year was the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) launched as an umbrella scheme converging pre-existing irrigation programmes?

Q10. The dedicated fund created to enable States to mobilise resources for providing top-up incentives to farmers for micro-irrigation beyond PMKSY-PDMC provisions was set up with which one of the following institutions?

Q12. The 'Per Drop More Crop' (PDMC) component of PMKSY, focused on enhancing water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation, is operationalised by which one of the following?

Q13. The 'Har Khet Ko Pani' (HKKP) component of PMKSY, implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, comprises how many sub-components?

Q14. Consider the following statements about CARTMAN, the body associated with the bullock-cart redesign project. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Q15. The two-year project begun in April 2001 to redesign six bullock-cart variants for difficult rural terrain was funded by which one of the following?

Q16. Which mango variety became the first to be commercially exported from India to Singapore by sea route under the ICAR-CISH protocol?

Q17. In the context of mango sea exports, a 'reefer container' is best described as:

Q18. The statutory authority that, in collaboration with ICAR-CISH, facilitated the cost-cutting commercial sea shipment of mangoes is:

Q19. The scientific sea-shipment protocol developed by ICAR-CISH and APEDA extends the shelf life of fresh mangoes to up to how many days?

Q20. In the context of the ICAR-CISH sea-shipment protocol for mangoes, what is 'CISH-Met Wash'?

Q21. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) functions as a statutory body under which one of the following ministries?

Q22. In the 2026 El Niño assessment, how many districts were classified as being of 'primary concern' on account of irrigation coverage below 25%?

Q23. Among the three priority categories into which the 315 vulnerable districts were grouped in 2026, which category contains the largest number of districts?

Q25. In the 2026 El Niño preparedness exercise, the term 'district of primary concern' (Category 1) is defined on the basis of which one of the following criteria?

Q26. The Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for the 22 mandated crops are announced by the Government of India primarily on the basis of recommendations made by which one of the following?

Q27. The assured 100% procurement of tur, urad and masoor under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is carried out under which one of the following umbrella schemes?

Q28. NAFED serves as the principal central nodal cooperative agency for MSP-based procurement of which one of the following categories of agricultural commodities?

Q29. The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses', approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore, covers which one of the following implementation periods?

Q30. Under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (approved 2025), which one of the following is the apex cooperative marketing agency tasked with assured procurement of the target pulses at MSP?