UPSC Mains 2021 Agriculture Optional Paper I questions

27 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

The major ways for sustainable management of natural resources
Improved agro-practices for the production of quality protein maize
Social forestry and various schemes related to social forestry
The major weeds of rice and their management practices under both upland and lowland conditions
Biofertilizers and the major constraints in popularization of biofertilizers
What is greenhouse effect? Write in detail about various greenhouse gases and their impact on crop production.
20 marks
What is the role of new agricultural technologies and market policies in crop diversification? Discuss in detail.
20 marks
Discuss the activity and selectivity of herbicides.
10 marks
What do you understand by agroforestry? Discuss various types of agroforestry systems in India with the help of examples.
20 marks
What do you mean by Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM)? Write the steps and recommendations for implementing SSNM in major cereals.
20 marks
Discuss various international conventions and recent global initiatives pertaining to climate change.
10 marks
What are the factors responsible for declining soil fertility? Discuss various measures adopted for improving soil productivity.
20 marks
Define Integrated Farming System (IFS). How can IFS improve the income of different forms. groups?
Describe the major biological control methods of weeds.
10 marks
Technologies and policies for sustained crop production in rainfed agriculture
Define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Discuss various initiatives to promote ICTs in agriculture.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) and its determination
Parameters for determination of quality of irrigation water
Define soil erosion and its different forms. Explain agronomic and mechanical measures to reduce the adverse effects of soil erosion in crop production.
20 marks
What is irrigation potential of India and how can it be increased through rain- water harvesting?
20 marks
Discuss cooperative marketing with successful case studies.
10 marks
Define ecology. Mention its basic concepts and relevance in crop production.
20 marks
How to improve drainage of waterlogged areas? Discuss the advantages and limitations of drip and sprinkler irrigation methods.
20 marks
Discuss various approaches of extension. Describe the recent emerging concepts in transfer of technology.
10 marks
Critically examine the major extension programmes of agricultural sector in India. Suggest different measures to improve technology dissemination and adoption at farmer's field.
20 marks
Discuss the success and failure of agricultural price policy since its inception. Discuss the recent initiatives/changes in agricultural price policy.
20 marks
Discuss the value addition of forest products.
10 marks

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