UPSC Mains 2026 Agriculture Optional Paper I questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

What are the major sources of water pollution in India? What are the ways to check it?
What are the basic concepts of a farming system? Briefly explain three major indigenous farming systems followed in India.
Write down the names and characteristics of tree species suitable for agroforestry.
Write down the dissemination of weeds with appropriate examples.
Write down the functions and deficiency symptoms of secondary nutrients in plants.
Give an account of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. State the mitigation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture.
20 marks
Give a lucid account on the scope of precision farming in India. Enumerate its benefits and limitations in the Indian scenario.
20 marks
How can GIS be utilised for land use analysis and micro-watershed planning?
Discuss the vegetative propagation methods adopted in forest plants with suitable examples and their limitations.
20 marks
Discuss in detail the management practices in the ratoon crop of sugarcane.
20 marks
Tet Suggest suitable chemical weed management practices for the following crops: 409 (i) Maize Gi) Moong (iii) Cotton (iv) Sugarcane
What do you mean by soil consistency and soil plasticity? Briefly discuss the various forms of soil consistency found in soils.
20 marks
What is nitrification? Describe the factors affecting nitrification process in soil.
20 marks
Briefly discuss the reasons responsible for increasing available phosphorus after flooding, in most of the soils.
Write down the approaches for soil conservation.
Briefly discuss the criteria for irrigation scheduling in crop plants.
Describe the various components of the drip irrigation system with the help of a schematic diagram.
20 marks
How are prices regulated through agricultural price policy?
Write the steps involved in farm planning.
On the basis of Boron content, classify irrigation water suitability for various soils and crops.
Categorise industrial effluents and briefly discuss their effects on soil properties.
20 marks
Briefly discuss the problems associated with dryland agriculture in India. What are the ways to increase production and productivity in dryland areas?
20 marks
What are the various factors affecting farm profits? Discuss the decisions which are critical to attain good farm profits.
20 marks
Differentiate between extension education and extension services. Discuss extension education as an applied science.
20 marks
Write down the practices involved in 'Integrated Watershed Management' for improving livelihood security.
Differentiate between monitoring and evaluation of extension programmes. Discuss the various types of evaluation of extension programmes.
20 marks
Discuss the rationale of Farmers' markets in India. Enlist the impact of farmers' markets on various stakeholders with suitable examples.
20 marks
Briefly discuss the measures to control soil erosion by wind.

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