Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Agricultural Reforms in India: Prospects and Challenges” for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. What was the primary goal of the Green Revolution in India?

• a) Increase in industrial production
• b) Boost agricultural productivity
• c) Development of urban infrastructure
• d) Expansion of educational facilities
  Answer: b) Boost agricultural productivity

2. Which of the following was a major outcome of the Green Revolution?

• a) Decrease in agricultural output
• b) Reduction in the use of technology
• c) Increase in crop yields
• d) Decline in irrigation facilities
  Answer: c) Increase in crop yields

3. The introduction of which act is considered a significant agricultural reform in recent years?

• a) Food Security Act
• b) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act
• c) Land Acquisition Act
• d) National Agricultural Policy Act
  Answer: b) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act

4. What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)?

• a) To enhance food security
• b) To increase irrigation coverage
• c) To promote organic farming
• d) To provide subsidies for fertilizers
  Answer: b) To increase irrigation coverage

5. The National Agricultural Market (eNAM) aims to:

• a) Increase crop production
• b) Facilitate online trading of agricultural produce
• c) Reduce the use of pesticides
• d) Improve animal husbandry
  Answer: b) Facilitate online trading of agricultural produce

6. Which scheme focuses on providing financial support to farmers for purchasing agricultural equipment?

• a) Soil Health Management Scheme
• b) National Food Security Mission
• c) Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization
• d) Integrated Pest Management
  Answer: c) Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization

7. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is designed to:

• a) Stabilize market prices
• b) Provide financial aid to farmers
• c) Guarantee a minimum price for certain crops
• d) Increase export of agricultural products
  Answer: c) Guarantee a minimum price for certain crops

8. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to:

• a) Promote organic farming
• b) Ensure food availability and access for the poor
• c) Increase agricultural exports
• d) Develop industrial agriculture
  Answer: b) Ensure food availability and access for the poor

9. What is a significant challenge in implementing agricultural reforms in India?

• a) High level of urbanization
• b) Lack of awareness among farmers
• c) Over-reliance on technology
• d) Excessive government funding
  Answer: b) Lack of awareness among farmers

10. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides:

• a) Financial assistance for farm equipment
• b) Crop insurance against losses
• c) Subsidies for organic fertilizers
• d) Support for water conservation
  Answer: b) Crop insurance against losses

11. Which of the following is a key feature of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act?

• a) Regulating water usage
• b) Establishing state-level marketing boards
• c) Setting up local markets for agricultural produce
• d) Facilitating direct farmer-to-consumer sales
  Answer: c) Setting up local markets for agricultural produce

12. What is the primary aim of the Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme?

• a) To improve soil quality and fertility
• b) To increase the area under irrigation
• c) To promote agro-based industries
• d) To reduce crop subsidies
  Answer: a) To improve soil quality and fertility

13. Which initiative focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices in India?

• a) National Agricultural Innovation Project
• b) National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
• c) Integrated Child Development Services
• d) National Dairy Plan
  Answer: a) National Agricultural Innovation Project

14. The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in India is primarily aimed at:

• a) Increasing crop resistance to pests
• b) Reducing the use of organic fertilizers
• c) Lowering water consumption
• d) Enhancing soil fertility
  Answer: a) Increasing crop resistance to pests

15. Which of the following schemes supports the development of organic farming in India?

• a) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• b) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• c) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
• d) National Agriculture Market
  Answer: a) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

16. Which factor is a major constraint on agricultural productivity in India?

• a) Excessive rainfall
• b) Soil erosion
• c) High soil fertility
• d) Advanced farming techniques
  Answer: b) Soil erosion

17. The Indian government’s “Doubling Farmers’ Income” strategy aims to:

• a) Increase subsidies for fertilizers
• b) Promote export of agricultural products
• c) Enhance income through various agricultural reforms
• d) Reduce the number of agricultural workers
  Answer: c) Enhance income through various agricultural reforms

18. The “Krishi Vigyan Kendras” (KVKs) are established to:

• a) Conduct research on crop varieties
• b) Provide agricultural education and training
• c) Implement water conservation projects
• d) Promote agro-based industries
  Answer: b) Provide agricultural education and training

19. Which of the following is an objective of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)?

• a) Promotion of private sector investment
• b) Ensuring water availability for all farmers
• c) Enhancing growth in agriculture and allied sectors
• d) Developing rural infrastructure
  Answer: c) Enhancing growth in agriculture and allied sectors

20. The focus of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is:

• a) Increasing crop subsidies
• b) Enhancing sustainable agricultural practices
• c) Promoting urban agriculture
• d) Supporting large-scale irrigation projects
  Answer: b) Enhancing sustainable agricultural practices

21. Which of the following challenges is associated with the use of chemical fertilizers?

• a) Increased soil fertility
• b) Enhanced crop yield
• c) Soil degradation and pollution
• d) Improved crop resistance
  Answer: c) Soil degradation and pollution

22. What is the aim of the National Dairy Plan (NDP)?

• a) To promote dairy farming
• b) To reduce the number of cattle
• c) To import dairy products
• d) To increase the price of milk
  Answer: a) To promote dairy farming

23. The MGNREGA scheme provides employment in which sector?

• a) Information technology
• b) Rural infrastructure and agriculture
• c) Urban development
• d) Export promotion
  Answer: b) Rural infrastructure and agriculture

24. The role of agricultural cooperatives in India includes:

• a) Providing financial support to large industries
• b) Offering credit, inputs, and marketing support to farmers
• c) Regulating international trade
• d) Developing urban housing
  Answer: b) Offering credit, inputs, and marketing support to farmers

25. The role of the National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) is to:

• a) Monitor food prices
• b) Provide credit and support for rural and agricultural development
• c) Develop urban infrastructure
• d) Regulate stock markets
  Answer: b) Provide credit and support for rural and agricultural development

26. Which of the following programs aims to improve rural irrigation infrastructure?

• a) National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
• b) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
• c) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
• d) National Rural Health Mission
  Answer: c) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

27. The concept of “Agri-Insurance” aims to:

• a) Provide insurance coverage against crop failures
• b) Increase subsidies for crop production
• c) Enhance market access for farmers
• d) Promote industrial agriculture
  Answer: a) Provide insurance coverage against crop failures

28. Which of the following initiatives is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission?

• a) Promoting organic farming
• b) Improving rural sanitation
• c) Enhancing irrigation facilities
• d) Supporting agricultural exports
  Answer: b) Improving rural sanitation

29. The “Soil Health Management” program primarily focuses on:

• a) Soil conservation and fertility enhancement
• b) Increasing agricultural machinery usage
• c) Promoting hybrid seed varieties
• d) Reducing water usage in agriculture
  Answer: a) Soil conservation and fertility enhancement

30. The impact of climate change on Indian agriculture includes:

• a) Increased crop yields
• b) Reduced soil fertility
• c) More stable weather patterns
• d) Enhanced irrigation efficiency
  Answer: b) Reduced soil fertility

These MCQs cover a range of topics related to agricultural reforms, their benefits, challenges, and ongoing initiatives in India.