Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on the “Impact of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture” tailored for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. Which of the following is a major impact of climate change on Indian agriculture?

A) Increased soil fertility
B) Stable crop yields
C) Altered rainfall patterns
D) Uniform temperature throughout the year

Answer: C) Altered rainfall patterns

2. What is the primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change that affects Indian agriculture?

A) Methane
B) Oxygen
C) Nitrogen
D) Argon

Answer: A) Methane

3. Which crop is particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature due to climate change in India?

A) Wheat
B) Rice
C) Cotton
D) Sugarcane

Answer: B) Rice

4. How does increased temperature affect wheat production in India?

A) Improves yield
B) Reduces grain quality
C) Increases growth duration
D) Enhances disease resistance

Answer: B) Reduces grain quality

5. What is a direct effect of altered monsoon patterns on Indian agriculture?

A) Increased soil moisture
B) Enhanced irrigation efficiency
C) Water scarcity during critical crop growth periods
D) Stable crop productivity

Answer: C) Water scarcity during critical crop growth periods

6. Which Indian state is most likely to face severe water shortages due to climate change?

A) Punjab
B) Kerala
C) Rajasthan
D) West Bengal

Answer: C) Rajasthan

7. What role do carbon dioxide levels play in agriculture under climate change?

A) Increase soil erosion
B) Enhance crop photosynthesis
C) Reduce crop growth
D) Decrease pest populations

Answer: B) Enhance crop photosynthesis

8. Which of the following is a common adaptive measure for farmers to cope with climate change?

A) Crop diversification
B) Increased use of chemical fertilizers
C) Reduction in irrigation
D) Decreasing crop rotation practices

Answer: A) Crop diversification

9. What impact does climate change have on pest and disease prevalence in Indian agriculture?

A) Decrease in pest numbers
B) Reduced disease incidence
C) Increase in pest and disease outbreaks
D) Stabilized pest populations

Answer: C) Increase in pest and disease outbreaks

10. How does climate change affect the nutritional quality of crops?

A) Improves nutrient content
B) Decreases micronutrient levels
C) Increases protein content
D) Enhances vitamin content

Answer: B) Decreases micronutrient levels

11. Which of the following practices helps mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture?

A) No-till farming
B) Monocropping
C) Excessive groundwater extraction
D) Limiting crop rotation

Answer: A) No-till farming

12. What is the primary effect of erratic rainfall on Indian agriculture?

A) Enhanced crop yield
B) Stable irrigation water supply
C) Increased risk of crop failure
D) Improved soil fertility

Answer: C) Increased risk of crop failure

13. How does rising sea level impact agriculture in coastal regions of India?

A) Increases arable land
B) Enhances crop yields
C) Leads to soil salinization
D) Reduces pest populations

Answer: C) Leads to soil salinization

14. Which crop is most affected by flooding due to climate change in India?

A) Barley
B) Pulses
C) Rice
D) Maize

Answer: C) Rice

15. The Indian government’s “National Action Plan on Climate Change” includes which strategy to address agricultural impacts?

A) Promotion of organic farming
B) Expansion of urban areas
C) Development of climate-resilient crop varieties
D) Increase in chemical pesticide use

Answer: C) Development of climate-resilient crop varieties

16. What is the impact of increased frequency of extreme weather events on Indian agriculture?

A) Decreased crop damage
B) Improved crop resilience
C) Increased crop losses
D) Stable crop yields

Answer: C) Increased crop losses

17. Which of the following irrigation methods is considered more resilient to climate change impacts?

A) Flood irrigation
B) Drip irrigation
C) Surface irrigation
D) Sprinkler irrigation

Answer: B) Drip irrigation

18. How does climate change affect the timing of planting and harvesting in Indian agriculture?

A) Increases planting flexibility
B) Decreases planting flexibility
C) Stabilizes crop cycles
D) Has no significant impact

Answer: B) Decreases planting flexibility

19. Which Indian region is most prone to drought due to climate change?

A) The Himalayas
B) The Indo-Gangetic Plain
C) The Deccan Plateau
D) The Western Ghats

Answer: C) The Deccan Plateau

20. What impact does climate change have on traditional farming practices in India?

A) Preserves traditional practices
B) Leads to a shift towards modern practices
C) Enhances traditional farming methods
D) Reduces the need for technological adoption

Answer: B) Leads to a shift towards modern practices

21. The increase in temperature can lead to which of the following effects on crop pests?

A) Reduced pest activity
B) Increased pest activity
C) No change in pest activity
D) Increased predator activity

Answer: B) Increased pest activity

22. How does climate change impact soil health in Indian agriculture?

A) Improves soil texture
B) Reduces soil fertility
C) Stabilizes soil pH
D) Increases soil organic matter

Answer: B) Reduces soil fertility

23. What is the effect of changing climate patterns on crop water requirements?

A) Decreased water requirements
B) Stable water requirements
C) Increased water requirements
D) Unchanged water requirements

Answer: C) Increased water requirements

24. How do higher temperatures affect the productivity of maize in India?

A) Increases productivity
B) Decreases productivity
C) Has no effect on productivity
D) Improves nutrient density

Answer: B) Decreases productivity

25. Which government scheme supports farmers in adapting to climate change impacts in India?

A) Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
B) National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
C) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
D) National Agroforestry Policy

Answer: A) Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

26. What is the impact of climate change on livestock farming in India?

A) Increased milk production
B) Decreased disease incidence
C) Increased heat stress and reduced productivity
D) Enhanced feed availability

Answer: C) Increased heat stress and reduced productivity

27. How does climate change affect the availability of groundwater for irrigation in India?

A) Increases groundwater levels
B) Decreases groundwater levels
C) Has no effect on groundwater levels
D) Enhances groundwater recharge

Answer: B) Decreases groundwater levels

28. Which of the following is an example of a climate-resilient agricultural practice?

A) Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
B) Traditional monoculture cropping
C) Integrated pest management
D) Extensive land clearing

Answer: C) Integrated pest management

29. What is the role of genetic engineering in mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture?

A) Reduces genetic diversity
B) Develops climate-resilient crop varieties
C) Increases pesticide usage
D) Enhances soil erosion

Answer: B) Develops climate-resilient crop varieties

30. Which of the following is NOT a likely impact of climate change on Indian agriculture?

A) Increased frequency of crop failures
B) Enhanced crop yields in all regions
C) Shifts in crop growing seasons
D) Increased vulnerability to pest infestations

Answer: B) Enhanced crop yields in all regions

These MCQs cover a range of topics related to the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture and should be useful for preparing for civil services examinations.