Q: Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world?
(a)Algeria and Morocco
(b)Botswana and Namibia
(c)Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana
(d)Madagascar and Mozambique
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Indian Agriculture & Land Use — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
46 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Indian Agriculture & Land Use (Geography). Spanning from 1995 to 2024. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
46
Questions
23
Years
23
Easy
19
Moderate
Year-wise Distribution
What UPSC Asks About Indian Agriculture & Land Use
Based on 46 questions across 23 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Indian Agriculture & Land Use within the broader Geography syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Indian Agriculture & Land Use. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Related Geography Sub-topics
All Indian Agriculture & Land Use Questions
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. India has more arable area than China. 2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China. 3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
(a)Only one
(b)Only two
(c)All three
(d)None
Q: निम्नलिखित राज्यों पर विचार कीजिए : 1. आंध्र प्रदेश 2. केरल 3. हिमाचल प्रदेश 4. त्रिपुरा उपरोक्त में से कितने आम तौर पर चाय-उत्पादक राज्य के रूप में जाने जाते हैं ?
(a)केवल एक राज्य
(b)केवल दो राज्य
(c)केवल तीन राज्य
(d)सभी चारों राज्य
Q: Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
(a)Sugarcane
(b)Sunflower
(c)Pearl millet
(d)Red gram
Q: भारत में काली कपास मृदा की रचना, निम्नलिखित में से किसके अपक्षरण से हुई है?
(a)सूखी वन मृदा
(b)बेसाल्टिक ज्वालामुखीय लावा
(c)ग्रेनाइट और ग्नाइस
(d)शेल तथा चूनापत्थर
Q: With reference to the production of pulses in India, consider the following statements: 1. Black gram (urad) can be cultivated both as Kharif and Rabi crop. 2. Green-gram (moong) alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. 3. 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?
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)2 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: “This crop is of tropical origin. For its development it requires about 210 frost-free days and 50–100 centimetres of rainfall annually. Its adaptability to moist, deep, well-drained soils makes it ideally suited for plantation agriculture.” Which one of the following crops is described in the above passage?
(a)Cotton
(b)Jute
(c)Ragi
(d)Tea
Q: With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements: 1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings’ are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field. 2. When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds. 3. If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts. 4. Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 4 only
(d)2, 3 and 4 only
Q: Which one of the following groups of plants was domesticated in the ‘New World’ and introduced into the ‘Old World’?
(a)Tobacco, cocoa and rubber
(b)Tobacco, cotton and rubber
(c)Cotton, coffee and sugarcane
(d)Rubber, coffee and wheat
Q: 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
Q: 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
Q: 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
Q: 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
Q: Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?
(a)Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
(b)Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
(c)Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
(d)None of the above
Q: 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
Q: Consider the following crops of India : 1. Groundnut 2. Sesamum 3. Pearl millet Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertilizer/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 ground water table can be checked. 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
Q: Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export-oriented industry in this field?
(a)Andhra Pradesh
(b)Arunachal Pradesh
(c)Madhya Pradesh
(d)Uttar Pradesh
Q: The lower Gangetic plain is characterised by humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?
(a)Paddy and cotton
(b)Wheat and jute
(c)Paddy and jute
(d)Wheat and cotton
Q: A state in India has the following characteristics: 1. Its northern part is arid and semi-arid. 2. Its central part produces cotton. 3. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops. Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics?
(a)Andhra Pradesh
(b)Gujarat
(c)Karnataka
(d)Tamil Nadu
Q: Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements : 1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas. 2. Coffee is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only. 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
Q: Following are the characteristics of an area in India: 1. Hot and humid climate 2. Annual rainfall 200 cm 3. Hill slopes up to an altitude of 1100 metres 4. Annual range of temperature 15 °C to 30 °C Which one among the following crops are you most likely to find in the area described above?
(a)Mustard
(b)Cotton
(c)Pepper
(d)Virginia tobacco
Q: When you travel in certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this colour?
(a)Abundance of magnesium
(b)Accumulated humus
(c)Presence of ferric oxides
(d)Abundance of phosphates
Q: The approximate representation of land-use classification in India is
(a)Net area sown 25%; forests 33%; other areas 42%
(b)Net area sown 58%; forests 17%; other areas 25%
(c)Net area sown 43%; forests 29%; other areas 28%
(d)Net area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Chikmagalur is well-known for sugar production. 2. Mandya is well-known as a coffee-producing region. 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
Q: Which one of the following is the correct sequence in the decreasing order of production (in million tonnes) of the given food grains in India?
(a)Wheat – Rice – Pulses – Coarse Cereals
(b)Rice – Wheat – Pulses – Coarse Cereals
(c)Wheat – Rice – Coarse Cereals – Pulses
(d)Rice – Wheat – Coarse Cereals – Pulses
Q: Assertion (A): There are no tea plantations in any African country. Reason (R): Tea plants need fertile soil with high humus.
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: Assertion (A): The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as compared to that of West Bengal. Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: Consider the following crops: 1. Cotton 2. Groundnut 3. Maize 4. Mustard Which of the above are Kharif crops?
(a)1 and 2
(b)1, 2 and 3
(c)3 and 4
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Q: Assertion (A): The eastern coast of India produces more rice than the western coast. Reason (R): The eastern coast receives more rainfall than the western coast.
(a)Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: The correct sequence in decreasing order of the four sugarcane producing States in India is
(a)Maharashtra, U.P., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
(b)U.P., Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
(c)Maharashtra, U.P., Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
(d)U.P., Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Q: Consider the following statements: I. Maharashtra has the highest acreage under jawar in India. II. Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut in India. III. Rajasthan has the largest area of cultivable wastelands in India. IV. Andhra Pradesh has the highest per hectare yield of maize in India. Which of these statements are correct?
(a)I and IV
(b)II and III
(c)I and III
(d)II and IV
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. Cotton II. Flax III. Sugar beet IV. Jute List II A. Rainfall 1000-1500 mm; Temperature 40°-60 °C B. Rainfall 1500-2000 mm; Temperature 25°-35 °C C. Rainfall 600-800 mm; Temperature 5°-18 °C D. Rainfall 500-1000 mm; Temperature 18°-22 °C E. Rainfall 500-600 mm; Temperature 18°-22 °C Codes:
(a)I-A, II-C, III-D, IV-B
(b)I-B, II-C, III-E, IV-D
(c)I-D, II-E, III-B, IV-A
(d)I-D, II-C, III-E, IV-B
Q: The discovery of Oak flora in 1966 added a new chapter to the history of Indian sericulture. Which one of the following states is the leading producer of Oak tasar silk?
(a)Assam
(b)Bihar
(c)Manipur
(d)Orissa
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Agricultural products) I. Cotton II. Gram III. Black pepper IV. Pineapple List II (Foremost producer) A. Madhya Pradesh B. Gujarat C. West Bengal D. Kerala Codes:
(a)I-B, II-A, III-D, IV-C
(b)I-B, II-A, III-C, IV-D
(c)I-A, II-B, III-D, IV-C
(d)I-A, II-B, III-C, IV-D
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Crops) I. Barley II. Rice III. Millets IV. Tea List II (Geographical conditions) A) Hot and dry climate with poor soil B) Cool climate with poorer soil C) Warm and moist climate with high altitude D) Hot and moist climate with rich soil Codes:
(a)I–B, II–D, III–A, IV–C
(b)I–C, II–D, III–A, IV–B
(c)I–B, II–A, III–D, IV–C
(d)I–C, II–B, III–D, IV–A
Q: Consider the map given below: The places marked A, B, C and D in the map are respectively known for the cultivation of
(a)groundnut, ragi, tobacco and sugarcane
(b)groundnut, sugarcane, ragi and tobacco
(c)ragi, sugarcane, groundnut and tobacco
(d)ragi, groundnut, sugarcane and tobacco
Q: The following are the major oilseeds produced in India: I. Sesamum II. Mustard III. Groundnut IV. Soyabean Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the descending order of the quantity of their production?
(a)I, II, III, IV
(b)III, II, IV, I
(c)II, IV, III, I
(d)III, IV, II, I
Q: Which one of the following is cultivated by transplanting seedlings?
(a)Maize
(b)Sorghum
(c)Onion
(d)Soyabean
Q: Which of the following pairs of states and their important crops are correctly matched? I. Kerala: Tapioca II. Maharashtra: Cotton III. W. Bengal: Jute IV. Gujarat: Groundnut Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Codes:
(a)I, II and III
(b)I, II and IV
(c)I, III and IV
(d)II, III and IV
Q: Which one of the following sets of conditions is necessary for a good cultivation of wheat?
(a)Moderate temperature and moderate rainfall
(b)High temperature and heavy rainfall
(c)High temperature and moderate rainfall
(d)Low temperature and low rainfall
Q: Which one of the following is an important crop of the Barak valley?
(a)Jute
(b)Tea
(c)Sugarcane
(d)Cotton
Q: Which one of the following areas of India produces largest amount of cotton?
(a)North-western India and Gangetic West Bengal
(b)North-western and Western India
(c)Western and Southern India
(d)Plains of Northern India
Q: In the map given below four areas are differently shaded, three of which indicate cereal-crops production areas and one indicates non-cereal crop production area. As per the index given, the non-cereal crop production area is
(a)1
(b)2
(c)3
(d)4
Q: Coffee cultivation in Sri Lanka was abandoned because of the disease
(a)leaf blight
(b)leaf spot
(c)leaf rust
(d)rot
Q: In which one of the following crops international trade is low in the context of total produce?
(a)Rice
(b)Coffee
(c)Rubber
(d)Wheat
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Indian Agriculture & Land Use?▼
UPSC has asked 46 questions on Indian Agriculture & Land Use in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1995 and 2024. This sub-topic falls under Geography.
In which years has UPSC asked about Indian Agriculture & Land Use?▼
Questions on Indian Agriculture & Land Use have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995. The topic has appeared in 23 out of 31 years.
What is the difficulty level of Indian Agriculture & Land Use questions in UPSC Prelims?▼
Among 46 questions on Indian Agriculture & Land Use: 23 are easy, 19 are moderate, and 4 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.