2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 28: Economy and Social Development

Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ?

  1. 1.Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
  2. 2.Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
  3. 3.Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Select the answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b1 and 2
c2 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The Rainfed Area Development component of NMSA promotes an Integrated Farming Systems approach, combining crops with livestock, horticulture, fishery and agroforestry, to raise productivity and reduce climatic risk for farmers in rainfed areas. It encourages diversification and farm-based livelihoods. It does not promote monoculture or the expansion of rice cultivation in irrigated regions.

  • 1. RAD promotes diversified farming, not monoculture.
  • 2. RAD targets rainfed areas, not irrigated rice.
  • 3. Integrated Farming Systems raise productivity and cut climatic risk.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: RAD promotes diversified farming, not monoculture.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: RAD targets rainfed areas, not irrigated rice.

Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

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: RAD promotes diversification, not monoculture.
  • (b) Wrong: neither 1 nor 2 is an objective of RAD.
  • (c) Wrong: increasing rice in irrigated areas is not a RAD objective.
  • (d) Right: only integrated farming for productivity and risk reduction is an objective.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.