Crops and Cropping Patterns

18 UPSC Mains GS III questions on Crops and Cropping Patterns, 2016 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Crops and Cropping Patterns toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q3Describe the various Technology Missions initiated in Indian agriculture and examine their role in food security.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2026 Q13How Indian agriculture has been transformed from food scarcity to food surplus level ? Explain the various government policies implemented for diversification of Indian agriculture.15 marks · 250 words
3. 2025 Q3Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India.10 marks · 150 words
4. 2024 Q4Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2023 Q13Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions.15 marks · 250 words
6. 2022 Q14What is Integrated Farming System ? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India ?15 marks · 250 words
7. 2021 Q14What are the present challenges before crop diversification ? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification ?15 marks · 250 words
8. 2020 Q13What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?15 marks · 250 words
9. 2019 Q3How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?10 marks · 150 words
10. 2019 Q5How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?10 marks · 150 words
11. 2019 Q16How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?15 marks · 250 words
12. 2018 Q8Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State?10 marks · 150 words
13. 2018 Q13Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?15 marks · 250 words
14. 2018 Q14How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.15 marks · 250 words
15. 2017 Q4Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India ?10 marks · 150 words
16. 2017 Q14What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system ? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system ?15 marks · 250 words
17. 2017 Q15How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers ? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers ?15 marks · 250 words
18. 2016 Q8What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.12.5 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.