90. Which occupation predominated in India on the eve of independence?
[RRB Group D 2022]
A. Education
B. Services
C. Agriculture
D. Industry
Answer: C. Agriculture
Explanation: Colonial India was overwhelmingly agrarian. Much of the population depended directly or indirectly on cultivation, often with low productivity and exposure to rainfall uncertainty, while non-farm employment opportunities remained comparatively limited.
89. Match the personalities and themes:
M. S. Swaminathan,
L. K. Jha,
Verghese Kurien,
Morarji Desai
with
Green Revolution,
administrative reform,
milk production and
social control of banks.
[UPPCS 2022]
A. Swaminathan—administration; Jha—milk; Kurien—green; Desai—banks
B. Swaminathan—milk; Jha—green; Kurien—administration; Desai—banks
C. Swaminathan—green; Jha—administrative reform; Kurien—milk; Desai—bank social control
D. Swaminathan—banks; Jha—milk; Kurien—administration; Desai—green
Answer: C. Swaminathan—green; Jha—administrative reform; Kurien—milk; Desai—bank social control
Explanation: Swaminathan is strongly associated with the Green Revolution and Kurien with dairy cooperatives and the White Revolution. L. K. Jha and Morarji Desai connect with administrative and banking-policy developments respectively.
88. For Climate-Smart Agriculture, which are correct:
1. Climate-Smart Village approach involved CCAFS;
2. CCAFS belonged to CGIAR, headquartered in France;
3. ICRISAT is connected with international agricultural research?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
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: Climate-smart village projects test adaptive agricultural technologies. CCAFS operated within international agricultural research partnerships, while ICRISAT works on dryland crops and resilience. The question examines the institutional network supporting this approach.
87. Which broad feature distinguishes permaculture from conventional chemical farming?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. Reliance on only monoculture
B. Ecological diversity and natural cycles
C. Greater dependence on chemical inputs
D. Permanent absence of livestock
Answer: B. Ecological diversity and natural cycles
Explanation: Permaculture designs farms as interdependent ecological systems using soil cover, diversity and nutrient recycling. Conventional chemical farming more commonly relies on purchased fertilisers and pesticides as important components of production.
86. Which of these crops is least water-efficient: sugarcane, sunflower, pearl millet and red gram?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. Sugarcane
B. Sunflower
C. Pearl millet
D. Red gram
Answer: A. Sugarcane
Explanation: Sugarcane has a comparatively high seasonal water demand and is often cultivated under irrigation. Pearl millet and red gram are better adapted to dry conditions and frequently perform in rainfed regions.
85. Regarding palm oil, consider:
1. Oil palm is native to Southeast Asia;
2. Palm oil is used in cosmetics;
3. Palm oil can produce biodiesel.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 3
D. All three
Answer: B. 2 and 3
Explanation: Oil palm originated in West Africa even though Southeast Asia dominates commercial plantations. Palm oil is used in processed products, personal-care materials and biodiesel, making statements two and three accurate.
84. Which sector withdraws and consumes the greatest share of water in India?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I 2021]
A. Domestic use
B. Hotels
C. Manufacturing
D. Agriculture
Answer: D. Agriculture
Explanation: Agriculture dominates India’s freshwater withdrawals because irrigated cultivation requires substantial water, especially for crops such as rice and sugarcane. Efficient irrigation and suitable crop selection can help reduce pressure on water supplies.
83. e-NAM, introduced in April 2016, is what kind of initiative?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I 2021]
A. Only a domestic company registry
B. An electronic agricultural marketing platform
C. A business-name registration system
D. A general e-commerce portal
Answer: B. An electronic agricultural marketing platform
Explanation: The National Agriculture Market connects participating agricultural markets through an online trading and price-discovery platform. It aims to improve transparency and market access, including for farmers and agricultural traders.
82. Which committee was concerned with agriculture policies and programmes?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I 2021]
A. Charan Singh Committee
B. Ramamurthy Committee
C. Bhanu Pratap Singh Committee
D. Yashpal Committee
Answer: C. Bhanu Pratap Singh Committee
Explanation: The Bhanu Pratap Singh Committee is associated with agricultural policy and reform discussions. The question tests a committee’s subject area rather than a crop fact or farm technology.
81. In which state is slash-and-burn cultivation called Bewar?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I 2021]
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Jharkhand
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Rajasthan
Answer: C. Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Bewar, also called Dahiya in some contexts, refers to shifting or slash-and-burn cultivation in Madhya Pradesh. Regional names such as jhum and podu occur in other parts of India.
