2015 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I

Question 24: Economy and Social Development

In India, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the

aEssential Commodities Act, 1955
bAgricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States
cAgricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937
dFood Products Order, 1956 and Meat and Food Products Order, 1973

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Agriculture and markets are State subjects, so agricultural produce markets in India are regulated by the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts enacted by the States. These Acts set up regulated market yards, require sale through licensed traders and commission agents, and fix market fees. The Essential Commodities Act controls supply and stocking, not the market yards themselves.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 regulates production, supply and price of essential goods, not market yards.
  • (b) Correct: States regulate agricultural markets through their APMC Acts.
  • (c) The 1937 Act only provides for grading and marking of produce quality, not for regulating markets.
  • (d) These orders concern food safety and meat product standards, not agricultural markets.

Worth knowing: Many States have since reformed or diluted their APMC Acts, and the three central farm laws of 2020 were repealed in 2021, but the answer stands as UPSC set it in 2015.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.