English UPSC CSE Prelims 2015
Q01. Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed Village Concept’?
A Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others B Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost C Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds D Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
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Correct answer: Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q02. What are the significance of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'? 1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. 2. Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this. 3. There is no application of chemical/ inorganic fertilizers at all in this. 4. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A 1 and 3 only B 1, 2 and 4 only C 2, 3 and 4 only D 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Correct answer: 1, 2 and 4 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q03. 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?
A The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics B The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas C The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of antihistamines D It is a source of high-quality biodiesel
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Correct answer: The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q04. Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A 1 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1 and 3 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q05. Consider the following pairs. Region Well-known for the production of 1. Kinnaur Areca nut 2. Mewat Mango 3. Coromandel Soya bean Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
A 1 and 2 only B 3 only C 1, 2 and 3 D None
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Correct answer: None
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q06. Consider the following statements. 1. Maize can be used for the production of starch. 2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. 3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A 1 only B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
Q07. In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider / greater implementation? 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A 1 and 2 B 3 only C 2 and 3 D None
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Correct answer: 3 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q08. With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is / are correct? 1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy. 2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers. 3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A 1 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1 and 3 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q09. Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in
A Desert margins, liable to strong wind action B Low flat plains, close to stream courses, liable to flooding C Scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth D None of the above
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Correct answer: None of the above
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q10. Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by
A Bacteria B Protozoa C Moulds D Viruses
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Correct answer: Moulds
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q11. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct? 1. They are generally red in colour. 2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash. 3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP. 4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A 1, 2 and 3 B 2, 3 and 4 C 1 and 4 D 2 and 3 only
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Correct answer: 1 and 4
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q12. Consider the following crops 1. Cotton 2. Groundnut 3. Rice 4. Wheat Which of these are Kharif crops?
A 1 and 4 B 2 and 3 only C 1, 2 and 3 D 2, 3 and 4
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Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2013
Q13. Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
A The new soil does not contain favourable minerals B Most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard C Most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation D Leaves get damaged during transplantation
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Correct answer: Most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
Q14. Consider the following kinds of organisms. 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Flowering plants Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?
A 1 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
Q15. How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor? 1. By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres in rural areas 2. By strengthening 'Self-Help Groups' and providing skill development 3. By supplying seeds, fertilisers, diesel pump-sets and micro-irrigation equipment free of cost to farmers Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A 1 and 2 only B 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 2 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
Q16. Consider the following crops of India. 1. Cowpea 2. Green gram 3. Pigeon pea Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?
A 1 and 2 only B 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1 and 2 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
Q17. Consider the following crops of India. 1. Groundnut 2. Sesamum 3. Pearl millet Which of the above is / are predominantly rainfed crop/s?
A 1 and 2 only B 2 and 3 only C 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1 and 2 only
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2011
Q18. When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries up and dies because?
A Water from soil cannot rise to aerial parts. B Roots are starved of energy. C Tree is infected by soil microbes. D Roots do not receive oxygen for respiration.
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Correct answer: Roots are starved of energy.
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2011
Q19. A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-Brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is
A To make it pest-resistant B To improve its taste and nutritive qualities C To make it drought resistant D To make its shelf-life longer
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Correct answer: To make it pest-resistant
English UPSC CSE Prelims 2011
Q20. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertiliser/nutrient loss can be reduced. 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming. 3. In some areas of farming, receding of the groundwater table can be checked. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A 1 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
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Correct answer: 1 and 3 only