This compilation presents UPSC Main Exam questions on Agriculture from 2013 to 2024. It serves as a valuable resource for aspirants to understand the depth and variety of topics covered in this critical area.
A review of past year questions reveals a consistent focus on sustainability, technology, and policy-driven measures in agriculture. Themes like irrigation efficiency, crop diversification, food processing, and integration of emerging technologies dominate the trend, reflecting the evolving priorities in India’s agricultural landscape.
2024
Q. What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management.
Q. Elucidate the importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices in India. What are the challenges associated with the storage of buffer stock? Discuss.
Q. Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.
2023
Q. How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce?
Q. Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions.
2022
Q. What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agriculture products in India?
Q. What is Integrated Farming system? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India?
2021
Q. How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis?
Q. How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers?
Q. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?
2020
Q. What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India?
Q. What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become a bane in India?
Q. What are the challenges and opportunities of food processing sector in the country? How can income of the farmers be substantially increased by encouraging food processing?
Q. Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario.
2019
Q. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?
Q. Elaborate the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.
Q. Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector.
Q. How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?
2018
Q. What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?
Q. Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity, and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?
Q. How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.
2017
Q. Explain the various types of revolutions that took place in Agriculture after independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (150 words)
Q. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How is crop diversification helpful to stabilize the yield of the crops in the system? (250 words)
Q. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity, and the economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price, and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (250 words)
2016
Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Q. Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suitable measures to promote this sector in India.
Q. What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
Q. Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
2015
Q. How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps have been taken in this regard?
Q. In view of the declining average size of land holdings in India which has made agriculture non–viable for a majority of farmers, should contract farming and land leasing be promoted in agriculture? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.
2014
Q. There is a point of view that APMC’s setup under the State Acts has not only impeded the development of agriculture but also been a cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine.
Q. In the villages, still, no form of credit organization will be suitable except the cooperative society – All India Rural Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agricultural finance in India. What constraints and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finance face? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?
2013
Q. What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agricultural subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it.
Q. India needs to strengthen the measures to promote Pink Revolution in the food industry for ensuring better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.