Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment — UPSC Prelims practice questions

Q: How many Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment MCQs are available for UPSC Prelims practice?

PrelimsAI currently has 80+ Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment MCQs under Environment. This page shows 12 sample questions in full.

Q: How many Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment previous year questions are included?

18+ questions in this chapter are tagged as UPSC Prelims PYQs. PYQs are prioritised in the visible sample set when available.

Q: Do these Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment questions include explanations?

Yes. The 12 visible sample questions show the correct option and explanation on this page.

Q: Where should I go after practising Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment?

Continue with Forests, Wetlands and Coastal Ecology or Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance, or return to the Environment subject page for more chapter-wise practice.

Question 1

Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants?
1. Alfalfa
2. Amaranth
3. Chickpea
4. Clover
5. Purslane (Kulfa)
6. Spinach
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1, 3 and 4 only (B) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only (C) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only (D) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6

Accepted Answer

(A) 1, 3 and 4 only — Correct. Alfalfa, chickpea and clover are legumes that harbour Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules, enabling biological nitrogen fixation.

Question 2

"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
1. Reduced seed requirement
2. Reduced methane production
3. Reduced electricity consumption
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. SRI uses fewer seeds per hectare, reduces methane by breaking continuous submergence, and cuts electricity by avoiding perpetual pumping.

Question 3

In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR's research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. CCAFS leads the Climate-Smart Village initiative, operates under CGIAR headquartered in France, and ICRISAT in India is a CGIAR centre.

Question 4

In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?
1. Crop diversification
2. Legume intensification
3. Tensiometer use
4. Vertical farming
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1, 2 and 3 only (B) 3 only (C) 4 only (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(A) 1, 2 and 3 only — Correct. Crop diversification reduces pest pressure, legume intensification adds soil nitrogen naturally, and tensiometers optimise irrigation to prevent water waste.

Question 5

What is the use of biochar in farming?
1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.
2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.
3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Biochar is a versatile soil amendment that serves as a growing medium, supports nitrogen fixers, and enhances water retention.

Question 6

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
1. Sowing of wheat without burning the residue of previous crop.
2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Zero tillage avoids residue burning, enables direct seeding of paddy, and enhances soil carbon sequestration by leaving soil structure intact.

Question 7

With references to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 and 3 only — Correct. APEDA serves as the NPOP secretariat under the Ministry of Commerce, and Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016.

Question 8

With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. GACSA is an outcome of the climate summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 and 3 only (B) 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 only — Correct. GACSA is a voluntary multi-stakeholder platform; its membership does not impose any legally binding commitments on participants.

Question 9

Why does the Government of India promote the use of 'Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture? (A) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms (B) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil (C) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields (D) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops

Accepted Answer

(B) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil — Correct. Neem coating inhibits nitrification, slowing the breakdown of urea so nitrogen remains available to crops longer and losses through leaching and volatilisation are reduced.

Question 10

Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
1. Reduction in weed
2. Reduction in soil salinity
3. Reduction in soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation

Accepted Answer

(C) 1 and 3 only — Correct. Drip irrigation limits water to the root zone reducing weed germination, and delivers water gently at low pressure preventing soil erosion.

Question 11

What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.
2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place.
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (A) 1 and 3 only (B) 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(C) 2 and 3 only — Correct. Ammonium-based fertilizers release hydrogen ions during nitrification, acidifying soil, and excess nitrate leaches into groundwater causing pollution.

Question 12

Consider the following statements:
1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 only — Correct. CADP was launched in 1974-75 to bridge the gap between irrigation potential created and utilised, thereby improving water-use efficiency.

Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment MCQs

Sample Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment questions

Continue chapter practice

More UPSC Prelims practice

Frequently asked questions

Practise all Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment questions