130. During which Five-Year Plan was the Green Revolution introduced in India?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. First Plan
B. Second Plan
C. Third Plan
D. Fifth Plan
Answer: C. Third Plan
Explanation: The high-yielding-seed programme began in the mid-1960s, towards the end of the Third Five-Year Plan. Irrigation, chemical fertilisers and improved wheat and rice varieties were its prominent technological components.
129. Which sector was adversely affected by reduced fertiliser subsidies after the 1991 reforms?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Industry
B. Banking
C. Agriculture
D. Transport
Answer: C. Agriculture
Explanation: Farmers are direct purchasers of fertiliser inputs. When subsidy reductions increase their price, cultivation costs can rise, particularly for small farmers with limited working capital. The direct sectoral impact is therefore agriculture.
128. What is the principal agricultural objective of PM-KUSUM?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Universal free farm electricity
B. More chemical fertiliser use
C. Solar pumps and decentralised solar generation
D. Rural-grid-only expansion
Answer: C. Solar pumps and decentralised solar generation
Explanation: PM-KUSUM promotes standalone solar irrigation pumps, solarisation of existing pumps and small grid-connected solar power projects. These measures diversify farmers’ energy supply and can support additional income through electricity generation.
127. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Ministry of Finance
B. Ministry of Rural Development
C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
D. Ministry of Health
Answer: C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Explanation: The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission operates through the agriculture administration and National Bee Board. It helps modernise apiculture, improve honey processing and enhance pollination services for horticultural and field crops.
126. Under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana, what monthly pension is assured after age 60 to eligible small and marginal farmers?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. ₹1,000
B. ₹2,000
C. ₹3,000
D. ₹5,000
Answer: C. ₹3,000
Explanation: PM-KMY is a voluntary contributory pension programme for eligible small and marginal cultivators. Qualified subscribers receive an assured minimum pension of ₹3,000 monthly after reaching sixty years of age.
125. What is the main purpose of the Soil Health Card Scheme?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Improving seed germination alone
B. Issuing organic certification
C. Assessing soil nutrient status
D. Stopping land acquisition
Answer: C. Assessing soil nutrient status
Explanation: Soil Health Cards report soil properties and nutrient levels, including major and selected micronutrients. The accompanying fertiliser recommendations promote balanced application rather than indiscriminate nutrient use, potentially improving input efficiency and soil productivity.
124. Which programme promotes crop diversification through cluster-based agricultural planning?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. PM-AASHA
B. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
C. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation
D. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Answer: B. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Explanation: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana supports state-led, area-specific agricultural strategies, including diversification. PM-AASHA primarily concerns price support, while farm mechanisation and infrastructure financing have different principal objectives.
123. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund provides support primarily for what purpose?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. Consumer food subsidies
B. Post-harvest and community farm infrastructure
C. Waiving all farm loans
D. Fixing retail fertiliser prices
Answer: B. Post-harvest and community farm infrastructure
Explanation: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund finances eligible post-harvest management and community farming assets, such as storage, sorting and processing infrastructure. The emphasis is investment in productive facilities, not routine procurement or cash-transfer expenditure.
122. What is the age eligibility for entry into the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. 18–40 years
B. 18–60 years
C. 25–55 years
D. 40–65 years
Answer: A. 18–40 years
Explanation: Enrollment in the contributory pension scheme is normally for eligible small and marginal farmers aged eighteen to forty. Pension payments begin upon reaching sixty, subject to the scheme’s membership and contribution conditions.
121. Concerning fertiliser manufacture in India, which are accurate:
1. India is self-sufficient in potash fertilisers;
2. Urea is the most commonly produced nitrogenous fertiliser;
3. Fertiliser production expanded after the Green Revolution;
4. Gujarat and Kerala make only minor contributions?
[SSC CGL Tier I 2025]
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 only
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: India depends largely on imported potash and cannot be called self-sufficient in that nutrient. Urea is the dominant nitrogenous fertiliser, and Indian fertiliser manufacture expanded with Green Revolution demand. The claimed insignificance of Gujarat and Kerala is also incorrect.
