20. Which matching of commodity boards to headquarters is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2008]
A. Coffee—Bengaluru; Rubber—Kottayam; Tea—Kolkata; Tobacco—Guntur
B. Coffee—Kolkata; Rubber—Bengaluru; Tea—Kottayam; Tobacco—Guntur
C. Coffee—Guntur; Rubber—Kolkata; Tea—Bengaluru; Tobacco—Kottayam
D. Coffee—Kottayam; Rubber—Guntur; Tea—Bengaluru; Tobacco—Kolkata
Answer: A. Coffee—Bengaluru; Rubber—Kottayam; Tea—Kolkata; Tobacco—Guntur
Explanation: India’s commodity boards have specialised headquarters: Coffee Board in Bengaluru, Rubber Board in Kottayam, Tea Board in Kolkata and Tobacco Board in Guntur. They support regulation, research or promotion depending on their mandates.
19. Among these rounded 2008-era data, which were accurate:
1. Per-capita GDP ₹37,000;
2. Rice output 180 million tonnes;
3. Wheat output 75 million tonnes?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2008]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Answer: D. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: For the historical question, rounded per-capita GDP of approximately ₹37,000 and wheat output near 75 million tonnes were considered correct. Rice output was closer to 100 million tonnes, not 180 million tonnes. Historical figures must be judged against their examination period.
18. Under Kisan Credit Card insurance provisions, which were true:
1. Loans were covered by a scheme of the Life Insurance Corporation;
2. Personal accident cover included ₹50,000 for death and ₹25,000 for disability?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2004]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation: Kisan Credit Cards were linked to personal accident insurance with the stated historical cover limits. Crop insurance and personal accident insurance are distinct, and the claimed LIC arrangement was not correctly stated.
17. Which is correct about government foodgrain procurement:
1. Purchases always have fixed targets;
2. MSP exists only for cereals;
3. Wheat and rice have uniform central issue prices for states under TPDS?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2004]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C. 3 only
Explanation: Procurement of key grains has included open-ended purchase subject to norms, and MSP extends beyond cereals. Central issue pricing for wheat and rice under the targeted public distribution system explains the correct third statement.
16. Which factors contributed to India’s edible-oil import dependence:
1. Attractive grain support prices;
2. Rainfed oilseed production;
3. Underused nonconventional oil sources;
4. Imports invariably cheaper than domestic growing?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2004]
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1 and 4 only
D. All four
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Support-price incentives favoured cereals, and much oilseed cultivation depended on rainfall. Several unconventional oil sources were underexploited. The blanket assertion that imports were always cheaper was not a valid explanation.
15. Sugar processing:
1. Molasses is a by-product;
2. Bagasse can fuel sugar-factory boilers;
3. Sugar can only be made from sugarcane.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2003]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All three
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Molasses remains after sugar crystallisation, and fibrous bagasse supplies steam and electricity in mills. Beet is another sugar source internationally, so sugar production is not restricted exclusively to cane.
14. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, whose permission was required for cultivation of genetically modified crops such as Bt cotton, fell under which Union ministry?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2003]
A. Ministry of Agriculture
B. Ministry of Environment and Forests
C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D. Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: B. Ministry of Environment and Forests
Explanation: The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, subsequently renamed the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, operated under the environment ministry. Its regulatory role includes appraisal of environmental risks in proposed releases of genetically engineered organisms and crops.
13. Which of these high-yielding crop varieties are wheat: 1. Arjun; 2. Jaya; 3. Padma; 4. Sonalika?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2002]
A. 1 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 4
D. All four
Answer: A. 1 and 4 only
Explanation: Sonalika and Arjun are associated with wheat, whereas Jaya and Padma are rice varieties. Recognising named high-yielding varieties is essential for tracing the technologies of India’s Green Revolution.
12. Which commodity had the highest value among India’s agricultural exports during 1997–98 to 1999–2000?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2002]
A. Rice
B. Tea
C. Coffee
D. Spices
Answer: A. Rice
Explanation: Rice accounted for a major export value in the cited period. Historical export comparisons depend on both traded quantity and unit value, so the correct commodity need not be the crop with greatest domestic production.
11. In which year was the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme introduced to replace the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2001]
A. 1995–96
B. 1997–98
C. 1999–2000
D. 2002–03
Answer: C. 1999–2000
Explanation: The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme began in the 1999–2000 rabi season, replacing the earlier comprehensive crop-insurance arrangement. It was designed to broaden risk protection for cultivators against crop losses.
