Agriculture MCQs for UPSC Prelims — May 2026

Q1. Under the long-term agreement concluded with Saudi Arabia's Ma'aden, Indian companies (IPL, KRIBHCO and CIL) are to receive approximately how many million metric tonnes (MMT) of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) annually for five years from FY 2025-26?

  • A. 1.5 MMT
  • B. 3.1 MMT
  • C. 6.5 MMT
  • D. 8.6 MMT

Q2. With reference to the geography of tea production in India in 2025, consider the following statements. Which of the above statements is/are correctly identified?

  1. Assam was the largest producer of tea in India.
  2. West Bengal was the second-largest producer of tea.
  3. Assam and West Bengal together accounted for more than 80% of national tea output.
  4. Kerala produced more tea than Tamil Nadu.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to India's tea sector in 2025 as compared with earlier years, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's total tea production in 2025 was higher than in 2024.
  2. India's tea exports in 2025 were lower than in 2024.
  3. In 2025, Assam accounted for a larger share of national tea production than West Bengal.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which of the following are recognised enterprise components of an Integrated Farming System (IFS) model as developed and promoted by ICAR-IIFSR? 1. Cropping system 2. Dairy and livestock 3. Aquaculture / fisheries 4. Contract manufacturing of synthetic agro-chemicals Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Cropping system
  2. Dairy and livestock
  3. Aquaculture / fisheries
  4. Contract manufacturing of synthetic agro-chemicals
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. In the context of ICAR's varietal development programmes referenced under initiatives such as SEHAT, the term 'biofortification' most precisely refers to:

  • A. Adding vitamins and minerals to staple foods during industrial post-harvest processing, such as fortifying wheat flour with iron premix at the miller's end.
  • B. Increasing the density of essential micronutrients in the edible portions of food crops through conventional plant breeding, agronomic management or modern biotechnology, so that the harvested grain itself is more nutrient-dense.
  • C. Spraying micronutrient solutions as foliar fertilisers on standing crops primarily to enhance grain yield and pest resistance rather than human nutrition.
  • D. Genetic engineering of livestock and poultry feed to produce animal-source foods (milk, eggs) enriched with vitamins and minerals for human consumption.

Q6. With reference to biofortification of crops in India as compared with conventional food fortification, consider the following statements: 1. Biofortification enhances the micronutrient content of staple crops through plant breeding, whereas conventional food fortification adds nutrients to foods during industrial processing. 2. Among the biofortified varieties released by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research during 2014-2024, more varieties of pulses were released than of millets. 3. HarvestPlus, an international initiative supporting biofortification, has collaborated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Department of Biotechnology in developing biofortified varieties in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Biofortification enhances the micronutrient content of staple crops through plant breeding, whereas conventional food fortification adds nutrients to foods during industrial processing.
  2. Among the biofortified varieties released by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research during 2014-2024, more varieties of pulses were released than of millets.
  3. HarvestPlus, an international initiative supporting biofortification, has collaborated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Department of Biotechnology in developing biofortified varieties in India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the development and release of biofortified crop varieties in India, which one of the following is the apex national body that breeds and notifies such varieties, working in collaboration with the international initiative HarvestPlus?

  • A. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
  • B. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • C. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • D. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Q8. The area under litchi cultivation in Bihar, as referenced by ICAR-NRC on Litchi during the 2026 crisis assessment, is approximately:

  • A. about 12,000 hectares
  • B. about 22,000 hectares
  • C. about 32,000 hectares
  • D. about 52,000 hectares

Q9. With reference to the central expert task force constituted in May 2026 on the litchi crisis in Bihar, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. 1. It was constituted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  2. 2. It is chaired by the Director of the ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur.
  3. 3. The pest implicated, Tessaratoma javanica, belongs to the Order Coleoptera.
  4. 4. The task force was directed to submit its report within one week of its constitution.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to litchi production in India relative to the rest of the country, consider the following statements: 1. Bihar accounts for more than 80% of India's total litchi production. 2. Bihar has the largest area under litchi cultivation among all Indian States. 3. The 'Shahi' litchi of Muzaffarpur has been accorded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1. Bihar accounts for more than 80% of India's total litchi production.
  2. 2. Bihar has the largest area under litchi cultivation among all Indian States.
  3. 3. The 'Shahi' litchi of Muzaffarpur has been accorded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to litchi cultivation in Bihar, consider the following districts. Which of the above are correctly identified as principal litchi-producing districts forming the State's traditional litchi belt?

  1. 1. Muzaffarpur
  2. 2. Vaishali
  3. 3. Samastipur
  4. 4. Bhagalpur
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. Which one of the following is the lead/nodal ICAR institute mandated to conduct research on cotton crop production, protection and fibre quality in India, and is among the key research bodies supporting the Mission for Cotton Productivity?

  • A. ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai
  • B. ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur
  • C. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
  • D. ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur

Q13. With reference to the institutional architecture supporting the Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026-27 to 2030-31), consider the following statements: 1. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra. 2. The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai, undertakes work on post-harvest processing and technology of cotton. 3. The research backbone of the Mission comprises ten institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 4. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton centres associated with the Mission operate through State Agricultural Universities. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra.
  2. The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai, undertakes work on post-harvest processing and technology of cotton.
  3. The research backbone of the Mission comprises ten institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
  4. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton centres associated with the Mission operate through State Agricultural Universities.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q14. Which one of the following is the lead/nodal ICAR institute mandated to conduct research on cotton crop production, protection and fibre quality in India, and is among the key research bodies supporting the Mission for Cotton Productivity?

  • A. ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai
  • B. ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur
  • C. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
  • D. ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur

Q15. With reference to the institutional architecture supporting the Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026-27 to 2030-31), consider the following statements: 1. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra. 2. The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai, undertakes work on post-harvest processing and technology of cotton. 3. The research backbone of the Mission comprises ten institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 4. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton centres associated with the Mission operate through State Agricultural Universities. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra.
  2. The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai, undertakes work on post-harvest processing and technology of cotton.
  3. The research backbone of the Mission comprises ten institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
  4. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton centres associated with the Mission operate through State Agricultural Universities.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4