140. Under Rainfed Area Development of NMSA, which objective is included? Consider:
1. Encouraging monoculture;
2. Increasing irrigated rice area;
3. Improving productivity and reducing climatic risks through integrated farming systems.
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 3 only
Answer: D. 3 only
Explanation: Rainfed Area Development encourages diversified integrated farming systems, combining crops with allied enterprises. It is intended to manage climate risk in rainfed districts, not increase monoculture or expand irrigated rice cultivation.
139. The Rural Prosperity and Resilience programme announced in Union Budget 2025–26 was intended to tackle what difficulty?
[RRB Group D 2026]
A. Rural school dropout
B. Underemployment in agriculture
C. Sports infrastructure only
D. Local administrative appointments
Answer: B. Underemployment in agriculture
Explanation: The proposed multi-sectoral rural initiative emphasised livelihood opportunities and productivity, particularly addressing underemployment in agriculture. This is different from schemes devoted exclusively to school enrollment, sports facilities or administrative staffing.
138. Which scheme is NOT intended for development of the agricultural sector:
PM-Kisan Maandhan Yojana,
Modified Interest Subvention Scheme,
PM SVANidhi, or
National Food Security and Nutrition Mission?
[UPSC CDS-I (General Knowledge) 2026]
A. PM-Kisan Maandhan Yojana
B. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme
C. PM SVANidhi
D. National Food Security and Nutrition Mission
Answer: C. PM SVANidhi
Explanation: PM SVANidhi finances working capital for urban street vendors under a Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs programme. The other listed programmes relate directly to farmers, agricultural credit or food security and nutrition within the agricultural sector.
137. Which is correct about ethanol production in Brazil and the USA?
Statement I: Brazil produces more ethanol than the USA.
Statement II: Brazil mainly uses sugarcane whereas the USA mainly uses corn.
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. Both correct; II explains I
B. Both correct; II does not explain I
C. I correct, II incorrect
D. I incorrect, II correct
Answer: D. I incorrect, II correct
Explanation: The USA is the leading ethanol producer, so Statement I is false. Brazil mainly processes sugarcane and the USA mainly uses maize. The contrasting raw materials do not reverse the countries’ production rankings.
136. For turmeric in India in 2022–23, consider:
1. India led production and exports;
2. More than thirty varieties were cultivated;
3. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were major producing states.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: India accounted for a dominant share of global turmeric production and exports. More than thirty varieties occur across the country, with important production in the named states. The question tests crop geography alongside agricultural trade.
135. About the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, consider:
1. It benefits small farmers and landless families owning indigenous animals;
2. It supports scientific conservation and development of native cattle and buffalo breeds.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Rashtriya Gokul Mission works on conserving and improving indigenous bovine breeds. Many low-yielding animals are owned by small cultivators and landless families. Breeding improvements can enhance milk productivity and livelihoods.
134. Regarding income taxation, consider:
1. Poultry farming and wool-rearing income in rural areas is automatically exempt as agricultural income;
2. Rural agricultural land is excluded from the definition of capital asset under specified income-tax provisions.
Choose the correct statement relationship.
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. Both correct; II explains I
B. Both correct; II does not explain I
C. I correct, II incorrect
D. I incorrect, II correct
Answer: D. I incorrect, II correct
Explanation: Agricultural income has a specific statutory meaning: poultry and wool income are generally not automatically exempt. Qualifying rural agricultural land is excluded from the definition of capital asset for capital gains purposes.
133. How many of the following were introduced into India by the Portuguese during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: papaya, pineapple and guava?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: C. All three
Explanation: Papaya, pineapple and guava came to India through post-Columbian trade links, with Portuguese traders facilitating introductions. All three subsequently became familiar horticultural crops in different Indian climatic zones.
132. How many pairs correctly describe the plant habit:
cassava—woody shrub;
ginger—herb with pseudostem;
Malabar spinach—herbaceous climber;
mint—annual shrub;
papaya—woody shrub?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. Only two
B. Only three
C. Only four
D. All five
Answer: B. Only three
Explanation: Cassava is a woody shrub, ginger has a pseudostem and Malabar spinach climbs as a herb. Mint is usually perennial, not an annual shrub; papaya is a giant herb rather than a true woody shrub.
131. What was a central equity goal of agrarian land reforms after independence?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Import substitution
B. Industrial-credit expansion
C. Abolition of intermediaries and land ceilings
D. Strengthening zamindari
Answer: C. Abolition of intermediaries and land ceilings
Explanation: Land reforms targeted unequal ownership and exploitative intermediaries. Zamindari abolition connected cultivators more directly with the state, while ceiling laws aimed to make surplus holdings available for redistribution to eligible landless households.