Agriculture and Allied Sectors

1. Who among the following is known as the Father of the White Revolution

Who among the following is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India ?

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Dr. Verghese Kurien
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Dr. Amrita Patel
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
This question was previously asked in
UPSC SO-Steno – 2018
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The correct answer is Dr. Verghese Kurien.
Dr. Verghese Kurien is widely recognized as the “Father of the White Revolution in India” for his pivotal role in launching and leading “Operation Flood”, the world’s largest dairy development program.
Operation Flood transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Prime Minister who encouraged the milk cooperative movement and supported Kurien’s work. Dr. Amrita Patel is a prominent figure in India’s dairy cooperative sector and a former chairperson of NDDB. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent freedom fighter and India’s first Minister of Education, not directly related to the White Revolution.

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2. The MSPs are fixed at incentive level, to fulfil the following purpose

The MSPs are fixed at incentive level, to fulfil the following purposes :

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  • 1. to induce less investment by farmers in the farm sector.
  • 2. to motivate farmers to adopt improved crop production technologies.
  • 3. to enhance production and thereby farmers’ income.

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC SO-Steno – 2018
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Statement 1 is incorrect. Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) are fixed at incentive levels specifically to *encourage* farmers to invest more in the farm sector by assuring them a minimum price for their produce, thereby reducing market risk. Statements 2 and 3 are correct. By ensuring a floor price, MSPs reduce the risk associated with adopting new technologies (like better seeds, fertilizers) that require higher initial investment. This motivates farmers to modernize agriculture, leading to increased production and potentially higher income, especially for farmers cultivating MSP-covered crops who can sell their produce at the guaranteed price.
MSPs aim to provide a price guarantee to farmers, reduce income volatility, encourage production of certain crops, and incentivize investment and technology adoption.
MSPs are announced by the Government of India for certain crops based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). While intended to support farmers, the MSP system has also been criticized for creating market distortions, encouraging the production of specific crops (like rice and wheat) over others, impacting soil health, and contributing to procurement and storage challenges.

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3. ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ is launched by which one of the following ministr

‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ is launched by which one of the following ministries of the Government of India ?

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Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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The correct answer is B) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ (Digital Gateway) was launched by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, which falls under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The initiative aims to provide farmers with warehousing options for their produce.
This digital platform facilitates online registration of farmers, storage of their produce in registered warehouses under the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA), and obtaining electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (eNWRs). This enables farmers to store their produce closer to their location and secure post-harvest loans.

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4. The purpose of land reforms was : Increase in production Increase t

The purpose of land reforms was :

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  • Increase in production
  • Increase the purchasing power of the rural population
  • Ensure distributive justice with economic growth

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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The purpose of land reforms in India was multi-faceted:
1. **Increase in production:** By abolishing intermediaries, providing security of tenure to tenants, and consolidating fragmented holdings, reforms aimed to give cultivators a direct stake in the land and encourage investment in inputs and technology, leading to increased productivity.
2. **Increase the purchasing power of the rural population:** Distributing land to the landless and providing security and fair rent to tenants improved their economic status and income, thereby increasing their purchasing power for goods and services.
3. **Ensure distributive justice with economic growth:** A primary goal was to reduce the stark inequalities in land ownership inherited from colonial and feudal systems, distributing land more equitably and empowering the marginalized sections of rural society, thus promoting economic growth that was more inclusive and just.
All three listed points accurately reflect the key objectives behind land reform measures implemented in India after independence.
– Key pillars of land reforms in India: Abolition of intermediaries, Tenancy reforms, Ceilings on landholdings, Consolidation of landholdings.
– Objectives: Equity, Productivity, Social justice, Poverty reduction.
While land reforms achieved partial success, implementation faced challenges such as legal hurdles, lack of political will, poor record-keeping, and resistance from powerful landholders.

5. The demand for which one of the following commodities will be almost p

The demand for which one of the following commodities will be almost perfectly inelastic ?

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Gold
Cars
Dining out
Basic food grains
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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Perfectly inelastic demand means the quantity demanded does not change at all when the price changes. Demand for basic necessities, especially staple food grains, tends to be highly inelastic because people need them for survival regardless of the price, particularly for low-income households where these form a significant portion of consumption. While demand is rarely perfectly inelastic in reality, basic food grains are the best example among the given options of a commodity with very low price elasticity of demand. Gold, cars, and dining out are generally considered luxury or discretionary items with relatively elastic demand.
– Elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of quantity demanded to price changes.
– Inelastic demand: Quantity demanded changes little with price changes.
– Perfectly inelastic demand: Quantity demanded does not change with price changes (vertical demand curve).
– Necessities tend to have more inelastic demand than luxuries.
Examples of goods with highly inelastic demand include life-saving medicines, essential basic food items, and addictive substances (though the latter has ethical implications).

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6. Yellow Revolution is related to which one of the following crop produc

Yellow Revolution is related to which one of the following crop productions ?

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Pulses
Oil seeds
Sunflower
Rice
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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The Yellow Revolution in India is a term associated with the increase in the production of edible oilseeds. It was launched to increase the production of nine oilseeds: groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, soybean, safflower, sunflower, niger, sesamum, linseed, and castor.
– Yellow Revolution: Increase in edible oilseed production.
– Green Revolution: Wheat and Rice production.
– White Revolution: Milk production.
– Blue Revolution: Fish production.
Sam Pitroda is considered the father of the Yellow Revolution in India. The revolution involved the use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation techniques to boost oilseed yield.

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7. LEADS Programme 2024 is launched by which one of the following organiz

LEADS Programme 2024 is launched by which one of the following organizations ?

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Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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The LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) report and associated initiatives are primarily driven by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. However, industry bodies often partner in its launch and promotion. FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) is a prominent industry body that actively engages with the government on logistics issues and participates in events related to the LEADS index. While the inclusion of RBI is unusual for the standard LEADS report launch, it’s possible a specific “LEADS Programme 2024” event or initiative involving both was launched by FICCI. Based on the provided options, FICCI’s involvement makes option A the most plausible choice, despite the confusing pairing with RBI.
The LEADS initiative assesses and ranks states based on their logistics ecosystem.
The LEADS index is a government initiative by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to evaluate the efficiency of logistics infrastructure and services across states, aiming to improve India’s logistics performance. Industry associations like FICCI play a role in providing feedback and promoting the findings. The pairing with RBI in option A is unconventional for this specific initiative, potentially indicating a specific joint program or an error in the question/options as presented.

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8. Which among the following pairs pertaining to revolutions that changed

Which among the following pairs pertaining to revolutions that changed the country is/are correctly matched?

1. Verghese Kurien: Father of the Indian White Revolution
2. Chidambaram Subramaniam: Father of the Indian Green Revolution
3. Neel Kranti Mission: Enhanced the production of fish

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1 only
1 and 2
1 and 3
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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Pair 1 and Pair 3 are correctly matched, while Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution (Operation Flood), and the Neel Kranti Mission (Blue Revolution) aims to enhance fish production. M.S. Swaminathan is widely considered the Father of the Green Revolution in India, not Chidambaram Subramaniam, although Subramaniam played a significant political role as the Union Minister for Food and Agriculture during that period.
– Pair 1: Verghese Kurien is correctly matched with the White Revolution (Milk Production).
– Pair 2: Chidambaram Subramaniam is incorrectly matched; M.S. Swaminathan is considered the Father of the Green Revolution in India.
– Pair 3: Neel Kranti Mission means Blue Revolution, which is correctly associated with enhancing fish production.
– The question asks for correctly matched pairs.
The Green Revolution in India involved the adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation techniques, primarily driven by the scientific work of M.S. Swaminathan and supported by political leaders like C. Subramaniam. The White Revolution transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer. The Blue Revolution focused on the growth of the aquaculture and fisheries sector.

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9. Which one among the following States in India has received maximum fun

Which one among the following States in India has received maximum funds under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization from 2014-2015 to 2023-2024?

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Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2024
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Based on data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare regarding the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) fund releases from 2014-15 up to December 2023, Uttar Pradesh has received the maximum funds compared to other states in this specific period.
– The Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) aims to increase the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where it is low.
– The scheme provides subsidies and support for purchasing various agricultural machinery and equipment.
– The allocation and release of funds under central schemes like SMAM depend on various factors, including the area under cultivation, the number of eligible farmers, state proposals, and implementation capacity.
– Uttar Pradesh, being a large state with extensive agricultural activity and a high number of farmers, often receives substantial allocations under nationwide agricultural development schemes.

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10. The Central Government is planning to make major interventions in whic

The Central Government is planning to make major interventions in which one of the following regions of India to make it an oil palm hub?

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Coromandel Coast
North-Eastern States
Rayalaseema
Saurashtra
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2022
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The correct answer is North-Eastern States.
India is one of the world’s largest importers of edible oils, including palm oil. To reduce dependence on imports and boost domestic production, the Indian government launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). This mission specifically focuses on increasing the area under oil palm cultivation and productivity in certain regions of India with suitable climatic conditions. The North-Eastern States and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have been identified as having significant potential for oil palm cultivation due to their high rainfall and favourable temperatures. The mission aims to achieve a substantial increase in oil palm production primarily by expanding cultivation in these regions.
While oil palm is also cultivated in other parts of India like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, the NMEO-OP targets a major expansion in the Northeast and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to significantly boost domestic production. The other regions listed (Coromandel Coast, Rayalaseema, Saurashtra) are either not the primary focus for this major intervention (Coromandel Coast), or are less suitable for extensive oil palm cultivation without significant irrigation (Rayalaseema, Saurashtra).

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