GS3 · Topic
Subsidies and MSP
Direct and indirect farm subsidies, fertiliser and power subsidy, minimum support prices and procurement.
92 UPSC Mains GS3 questions on Subsidies and MSP that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Assess the potential of millet production in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food security in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsFood Security and PDS
Evaluate the impact of irrigation on the environment and natural resources, and suggest measures to ensure the sustainability and equity of irrigation practices in agriculture.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
What are the major challenges faced by India's agriculture sector to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and vegetable oils? Suggest measures to address these challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
Why has India become increasingly import-dependent for edible oils despite being a major agricultural economy?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
"The sole point of MSP is to protect farmers from sudden price shock". Do you think legalization of MSP can insure farmers from sudden price shocks? What are the other measures which can be taken to make MSP-led procurement effective?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Subsidies and MSPAgricultural Marketing
Discuss the role of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security in India. Suggest necessary reforms in the functioning of FCI to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Discuss the role of nanotechnology on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in India. Highlight recent developments and potential benefits and risks of use of nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Agri-technologyEmerging Technologies
What are the direct and indirect subsidies in Indian agriculture? How have these subsidies impacted the cropping diversity and farm economy of the country?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
How can minimum support prices help in promoting farmers' income? What are the challenges faced by farmers in accessing the benefits of minimum support prices?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Subsidies and MSPAgricultural Marketing
It is being argued that India is struggling with overflowing foodgrains in warehouses. Discuss the statement in view of the existing buffer stock policy of India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Farm policies in the country have inadvertently led to undesirable consequences. Do you agree? Giving emphasis on PM PRANAM, discuss ways to enhance soil health and farm productivity.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
Why does India's agricultural export performance remain weak despite high production levels? What measures would you suggest to improve agri-export competitiveness?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Agricultural MarketingFood Processing
While an agreement was recently reached at the WTO on a deal to curb "harmful" government fisheries subsidies, certain concerns raised by India suggests that the matter will require further negotiations. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Animal Rearing and FisheriesSubsidies and MSP
The existing MSP procurement regime is neither economically nor agro-ecologically sustainable. Elaborate. Also, evaluate the alternative approaches that can be adopted to improve the existing MSP regime.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
The objective of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to provide a long term and equitable solution to the dilemma between free trade and food security has remained unfulfilled. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Despite the potential to check the triple whammy of nutritional deficiency, environmental degradation, and receding farm incomes, the adoption of Millets has been abysmally low. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
It has been pointed out that competitive politics to fund mostly non-merit subsidies is pushing a few states in India to the brink of a deep fiscal crisis. In this context, discuss the need to rationalise the subsidy regime in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingSubsidies and MSP
Micro-irrigation systems can revolutionize Indian agriculture, but adoption remains limited. In this context, discuss how micro-irrigation can help in sustainable water management. What are the barriers to its widespread adoption? Suggest measures to overcome them.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
Despite significant pressure from the developed countries to alter its food subsidy regime, there is merit in India trying to retain its policy support for the poor in the country. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
The rising import of oilseeds and pulses has made their cultivation unremunerative. In the light of this statement, elucidate the steps needed to promote the production and consumption of oilseeds and pulses in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
Discuss the impact of direct and indirect farm subsidies on the agriculture sector in India. How have Minimum Support Prices (MSP) affected the agricultural economy?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023
Subsidies and MSPInclusive Growth
Do you think there is a need for a shift from 'land productivity' to 'irrigation water productivity' in India? Justify your answer. What are the challenges in making this shift? Explain.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
What is India's stand on the New Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies under WTO? How is the Fisheries sector significant for India? Enumerate the steps taken by the Government to develop this sector.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023
Animal Rearing and FisheriesTrade and Foreign Investment
In recent years, Indian agriculture has been witnessing a transformation towards better productivity and improved farmer incomes. What institutional and structural reforms have been undertaken by the Government to make agriculture more rewarding and sustainable?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Planning and Resource MobilisationCrops and Cropping Patterns
“The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to achieve ‘more crop per drop’, yet irrigation efficiency in India remains suboptimal.” Critically analyse. What reforms are needed to strengthen its implementation?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
"The agricultural subsidy regime in the country needs reforms to address the distortions it causes." Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
India's food management system is marred with lack of pro-active liquidation policy with respect to buffer stocks resulting in problem with the food security ecosystem. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Explain the concept of a nutrition-sensitive food system and suggest strategies to achieve it in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Food Security and PDSInclusive Growth
Why is self-sufficiency in pulse production crucial for India? Discuss the policy and technological interventions needed to achieve Aatma Nirbharata in pulses.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
India's agriculture export-import policies are tilted more towards the consumers rather than the farmers. In light of the given statement, critically analyze the impact of import and export policies on farmers. What measures can be undertaken to shield farmers from import-export price shocks?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Agricultural MarketingSubsidies and MSP