UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 84: Economy and Social Development
Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Vegetable oils, mainly palm, soyabean and sunflower oil, form the largest item in India's agricultural imports by value, well ahead of pulses, fresh fruits and spices. Domestic oilseed production falls short of the demand for edible oil, so India imports a large share of its needs. Remember edible oil as the biggest agricultural import and the reason the oilseeds mission matters.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Spices are a small import and a large export item.
- (b) Fresh fruits are imported but in smaller value.
- (c) Pulses are a significant import but smaller in value than vegetable oils.
- (d) Correct: vegetable oils top the list of agricultural imports by value.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.