UPSC CSE Prelims
Allied Activities Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Allied Activities with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
Filter & practice questions topic-wise
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
- Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
- Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
- In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
This question tests knowledge about pulse cultivation patterns and production trends in India. Statement 1 is correct as black gram is a versatile pulse cultivated in both seasons, while statements 2 and 3 contain factual inaccuracies regarding production shares and trends.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Black gram (Urad dal) is indeed cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop in India, showing its adaptability to different seasons and agro-climatic conditions.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Green gram does not account for nearly half of pulse production; Chickpea (Chana) is the dominant pulse contributing approximately 40% of total pulse production in India.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Both kharif and rabi pulse production have increased over the last three decades due to government initiatives like National Food Security Mission and improved varieties; rabi pulses contribute over 60% of total production and have shown substantial growth.
📝 Short Notes: Pulse Production in India
| Pulse Type | Dominant Season | Share in Production | Major Producing States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickpea (Chana) | Rabi | ~40% | Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra |
| Pigeon Pea (Arhar/Tur) | Kharif | ~15% | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh |
| Black Gram (Urad) | Both Kharif & Rabi | ~10% | Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh |
| Green Gram (Moong) | Both Kharif & Rabi | ~10% | Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Lentil (Masur) | Rabi | ~7% | Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal |
- Seasonal Distribution: Rabi pulses account for about 60-65% of total pulse production, while kharif pulses contribute 35-40%.
- Growth Trends: Both kharif and rabi pulse production have increased significantly since 1990s due to improved varieties, better agronomic practices, and government support schemes.
- India's Position: India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally, accounting for about 25% of world production.
- Key Initiatives: National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), and minimum support price (MSP) have boosted pulse production.
With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
- The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
- Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Rural Development, making statement 1 incorrect. Statement 2 is correct as APEDA serves as the Secretariat for NPOP implementation, and statement 3 is correct as Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: NPOP is operated under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Rural Development.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: APEDA functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016, converting all its cultivable land to organic farming.
📝 Short Notes: Organic Farming in India
- National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Launched in 2001 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to provide framework for accreditation of certification bodies and standards for organic production.
- APEDA's Role: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority acts as the Secretariat for NPOP implementation and promotes export of organic products.
- Sikkim's Achievement: Became India's first fully organic state in 2016 by converting approximately 76,000 hectares of agricultural land to certified organic farming.
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Agriculture to promote organic farming through cluster approach and PGS certification.
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Central Sector Scheme to support certified organic production in northeastern states.
In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Guar gum, extracted from the endosperm of guar seeds, is used as a thickening and gelling agent in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas extraction. Its viscosifying properties help carry proppants into fractures.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Guar seed oil is not used in biodegradable plastics manufacture; guar gum finds industrial applications but not in this domain.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Guar leaves do not possess antihistamine properties; they are primarily used as animal feed and vegetables.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Guar is not a source of biodiesel; its primary economic value lies in guar gum production, not oil extraction for fuel.
🧐 Not Sure What to Study Next?
Get a personalised study plan based on your goals, time and revision needs.
Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because -
Detailed Explanation:
Cold storage lowers the temperature, which directly reduces the rate of respiration in fruits.
Slower metabolic and enzymatic processes delay ripening, reduce microbial activity, and extend storage life significantly.
Related Topics in Indian Economy
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Allied Activities in UPSC CSE PRELIMS