2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 59: Geography

With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture ?

  1. 1.Avoiding the monoculture practices
  2. 2.Adopting minimum tillage
  3. 3.Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
  4. 4.Using crop residues to cover soil surface
  5. 5.Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

a1, 3 and 4
b2, 3, 4 and 5
c2, 4 and 5
d1, 2, 3 and 5

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Conservation Agriculture rests on three linked principles: minimal soil disturbance (minimum or zero tillage), permanent organic cover on the soil surface (using crop residues), and diversified crop sequences or rotations. So statements 2, 4 and 5 belong in the list. Avoiding plantation crops has nothing to do with the concept. UPSC's key leaves out statement 1 even though it resembles the rotation principle.

  • 1. UPSC's key does not count it, although it resembles crop diversification.
  • 2. Minimum tillage is a core principle.
  • 3. Plantation crops are not excluded from Conservation Agriculture.
  • 4. Crop residue mulch is the soil cover principle.
  • 5. Rotations and sequencing are the diversification principle.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: Plantation crops are not excluded from Conservation Agriculture.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2, 4 or 5.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: includes avoiding plantation crops, which is not part of the concept.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 3 is not part of the concept.
  • (c) Right: minimum tillage, residue cover and rotations.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 3 is not part of the concept.

Worth knowing: Avoiding monoculture overlaps with crop diversification, so statement 1 can be argued as correct; UPSC's key excludes it.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.