Original Paper from UPSC Website: 

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 Agricultural Paper - I

Exam Details

• Time Allowed: Three Hours

• Maximum Marks: 250

• Instructions:

  • Eight questions divided into two sections.

  • Five questions to be attempted in all.

  • Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory.

  • Choose at least one question from each section for the remaining questions.

  • Answers must be written in the authorized medium.

  • Adhere to the word limit specified.

  • Attempts of questions will be counted in sequential order.

Section A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. Discuss the response of crop plants to rising temperature and carbon dioxide levels in relation to climate change with suitable examples.

   2. How can the cropping intensity and farm profitability be enhanced with the incorporation of different types of specialty corn in existing cropping systems?

   3. What are non-wood forest products? How do they help local community development in terms of economy and employment?

   4. Briefly write about cultural and chemical weed control methods of soybean and wheat.

2. Give an account of the genesis of soil structure and its significance to crop production:

   1. What do you understand by agroecology? How does agroecology help in crop distribution and sustainable food production? (20 marks)

   2. Classify the parasitic weeds on the basis of their parasitism. Explain the preventive measures and integrated management practices for Orobanche. (20 marks)

   3. Describe the concept of microbial consortia and its role in crop residue management. (10 marks)

3. Organic and Natural Farming:

   1. Give the specific features of organic farming and natural farming. Briefly discuss the preparations and role of biodynamics and cow-pat pit in organic crop production. (20 marks)

   2. Classify the agroforestry systems and explain in detail the importance of social forestry in the Indian context. (20 marks)

   3. Write about the various tools used in proximal and remote sensing. (10 marks)

4. Nitrogen Loss and Management:

   1. Discuss the primary pathways of gaseous nitrogen losses from soil and the factors affecting nitrogen losses. (20 marks)

   2. Discuss various aspects related to groundnut: (20 marks)

      • (i) Role of macro- and micro-nutrients

      • (ii) Pegging

      • (iii) Critical growth stages for irrigation

      • (iv) Weed management

      • (v) Region-specific cropping systems 

   3. Give a brief note on GIS-based soil mapping and yield mapping. (10 marks)

Section B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks):

   1. Discuss the ways and means of minimizing erosion for conserving soil.

   2. What are the major aims of irrigation? Discuss the different types of irrigation efficiencies used in adjudging the most efficient irrigation method.

   3. Discuss various issues related to farm women empowerment. How do self-help groups play a major role in empowering farm women?

   4. Explain the important types of agricultural markets in India.

   5. Discuss the efforts of the Government of India for the extension, renovation, and modernization of irrigation projects.

6. Problems and Solutions in Agriculture:

   1. Elaborate on the various problems encountered in agricultural production in dryland areas of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Deccan Plateau of Andhra Pradesh. Also, explain the probable solutions to minimize these problems. (20 marks)

   2. Discuss the management practices for improving the crop yield potential in regions where poor quality water is available for irrigation. (20 marks)

   3. Explain the roles of various Non-Governmental Organizations in agriculture extension and the socio-economic upliftment of landless agricultural laborers. (10 marks)

7. Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Empowerment:

   1. Write the main functions of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection. Discuss the roles of AGMARK and e-NAM in agricultural marketing. (20 marks)

   2. How do Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) help in empowering farmers by addressing their needs? Describe the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in climate-resilient agriculture citing suitable examples. (20 marks)

   3. Discuss the role of integrated watershed management in rainfed agriculture. (10 marks)

8. Agricultural Policies and Issues:

   1. What is the need for agricultural price policy? Write its objectives. Discuss the criteria for deciding the minimum support price (MSP) for each crop. (20 marks)

   2. Why is the evaluation of extension programs needed? Explain the various types of evaluation and also discuss the steps involved in the evaluation process. (20 marks)

   3. Discuss the causes of waterlogging and its effects on crop production. (10 marks)

Original Paper from UPSC Website: 

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 Agricultural Paper - II

Exam Details

• Time Allowed: Three Hours

• Maximum Marks: 250

• Instructions:

  • Eight questions divided into two sections, printed in both Hindi and English.

  • Candidates must attempt five questions in total.

  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory.

  • Out of the remaining, any three questions are to be attempted, choosing at least one question from each section.

  • Marks carried by each question/part are indicated.

  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate.

  • Word limit in questions must be adhered to.

  • Attempts of questions will be counted in sequential order.

Section A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. Enumerate the functions of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Apparatus. (10 marks)

   2. Explain inbreeding depression and its effect in crops. Also, explain the degrees of inbreeding depression. (10 marks)

   3. Briefly discuss the requirements for the production of certified seeds. (10 marks)

   4. Give the classification of soil water. Briefly discuss soil moisture availability with respect to soil type. (10 marks)

   5. Write about the origin and domestication of rice. (10 marks)

2. Molecular Models and Mendelian Inheritance:

   1. Enlist the molecular models of the cell membrane and explain the models given by S.J. Singer and G. Nicholson (1972), Green and Capaldi (1974), and Racker (1976). (20 marks)

   2. Give an account of seven different pairs of contrasting characters whose inheritance was studied by Mendel in Garden Pea (Pisum sativum). Give the reasons for Mendel's success in the study. (20 marks)

   3. Explain various theories of inheritance. Write down the evidence suggesting the presence of cytoplasmic inheritance in the crosses' results. (10 marks)

3. Plant Breeding and Disease Resistance:

   1. Describe the history of plant breeding in India. Write the objectives of plant breeding and methods for the creation of variability for crop improvement. (20 marks)

   2. Describe Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and sources of disease resistance with suitable examples. Write the advantages of breeding for disease resistance in plants. (20 marks)

   3. What do you understand by graft incompatibility? Describe the symptoms and causes of graft incompatibility in plants with suitable examples. (10 marks)

4. Intellectual Property Rights and Seed Certification:

   1. Discuss different forms of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in India. (20 marks)

   2. Give an account of stomatal anatomy and cytology. Write down the effect of light, water deficit, CO2 concentration, and temperature on stomatal movement along with the underlying mechanism. (20 marks)

   3. Describe the role of State Seed Certification Agencies. (10 marks)

Section B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. Write down the constraints of the fruit processing industry in India. (10 marks)

   2. Describe mentha cultivation with reference to varieties, soil, climate, nutrient management, and processing. (10 marks)

   3. Enlist the role of auxins in agriculture with suitable examples. (10 marks)

   4. Briefly discuss Integrated Pest Management in cotton. (10 marks)

   5. Briefly discuss the micronutrient deficiencies observed in children and women in India along with the diseases associated with them. (10 marks)

6. Integrated Disease and Crop Management:

   1. Describe the principles, components, and strategies for Integrated Disease Management in crops. Write down its application in the management of rice blast and bacterial blight of pomegranate. (20 marks)

   2. Discuss the package of guava cultivation with reference to soil and climate, propagation, varieties, disease management, and bahar treatment. (20 marks)

   3. Briefly discuss round-the-year marigold cultivation with reference to varieties, sowing and transplanting, disease management, and value-addition. (10 marks)

7. Photosynthesis and Metabolism:

   1. Enlist various photosynthetic pigments. Give a detailed account of chlorophyll synthesis along with the enzymes involved in the process. Also, mention the role of carotenoids in photosynthesis. (20 marks)

   2. List the reactions of the Calvin Cycle and Hatch-Slack Cycle for CO2 fixation in plants along with enzymes involved. (20 marks)

   3. Briefly discuss the pathways of carbohydrate metabolism in plants. (10 marks)

8. Food Production and Security:

   1. How has food production, including horticultural crops, changed in India during the last decade? Write down its impact on food and nutritional security. (20 marks)

   2. Write down the various programs run by State and Central Governments for ensuring food security in our country. Briefly discuss the strategies for sustainable agricultural production. (20 marks)

   3. Classify foods on the basis of their functions. Write down a balanced diet for a sedentary man and woman in India. (10 marks)

Original Paper from UPSC Website: 

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2022 Agricultural Paper - I

Exam Details

• Time Allowed: Three Hours

• Maximum Marks: 250

• Instructions:

  • Eight questions divided into two sections, printed in both Hindi and English.

  • Candidates must attempt five questions in total.

  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory.

  • Out of the remaining, any three questions are to be attempted, choosing at least one question from each section.

  • Marks carried by each question/part are indicated.

  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate.

  • Word limit in questions must be adhered to.

  • Attempts of questions will be counted in sequential order.

Section A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. What is "Geographic Information System" (GIS)? Discuss its elements and prospects in agriculture. (10 marks)

   2. What is "precision farming"? Write its different aspects for resource conservation. (10 marks)

   3. Describe various methods for propagation of forest plants. (10 marks)

   4. Discuss selection criteria of successful bioagent and bio-herbicides. State at least two examples of biocontrol of weeds. (10 marks)

   5. How to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in transplanted rice? (10 marks)

2. Soil and Crop Management:

   1. Write the various factors responsible for soil pollution. How can organic and natural farming play a role in minimizing soil pollution? (20 marks)

   2. What is the significance of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and System of Rice Intensification (SRI)? Describe the package of practices for direct seeded rice. (20 marks)

   3. Discuss various steps for long-term conservation of forest flora and fauna. (10 marks)

3. Soil Acidity and Conservation:

   1. How does soil acidity affect crop production? Elaborate on the remedial procedures for soil acidity. (20 marks)

   2. Classify various natural resources. Discuss the steps for long-term conservation of natural resources. (20 marks)

   3. Describe the importance of millets in Indian Agriculture. (10 marks)

4. Herbicide Resistance and Soil Structure:

   1. Discuss the types of herbicide resistance in weeds with specific examples in the Indian perspective. Discuss the management practices dealing with herbicide resistance in weeds. (20 marks)

   2. Why do we consider soil structure an important soil property for crop production? How is soil structure changed by various factors? (20 marks)

   3. Describe various components of agroforestry and state the benefits of agroforestry. (10 marks)

Section B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs). (10 marks)

   2. Kisan Credit Card and Soil Health Card. (10 marks)

   3. Contour bunding and Graded bunding. (10 marks)

   4. Rainwater harvesting and Watershed Management. (10 marks)

   5. Cooperative Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). (10 marks)

6. Agricultural Extension and Planning:

   1. What are the target groups in Agricultural Extension? What role can KVKs play to reach such target groups? (20 marks)

   2. Narrate various components of contingent crop planning in dryland agriculture. (20 marks)

   3. Enlist the problems of agricultural marketing in India and describe the role of market intelligence in addressing these problems. (10 marks)

   4. Discuss Micro-Irrigation Systems and their advantages in Indian Agriculture. (20 marks)

7. Farm Planning and Water Quality:

   1. Describe the procedure for making a successful farm plan. Write the characteristics of good farm planning. (20 marks)

   2. Explain Participatory Rural Appraisal technique for farmers' need identification. (10 marks)

   3. Discuss the various parameters of quality of irrigation water. Write irrigation scheduling for pulses cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. (20 marks)

8. Nutrient Management and Crop Insurance:

   1. Discuss the relevance of Integrated Nutrient Management in sustainable agriculture. Describe various types of biofertilizers. (20 marks)

   2. Describe the importance of crop insurance for small and marginal farmers in India. Write the role of insurance companies for crop insurance. (10 marks)

UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2022 Agriculture Optional Paper-2

Original Paper from UPSC Website: 

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2022 Agricultural Paper - II

Exam Details

• Time Allowed: Three Hours

• Maximum Marks: 250

• Instructions:

  • Eight questions divided into two sections, printed in both Hindi and English.

  • Candidates must attempt five questions in total.

  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory.

  • Out of the remaining, any three questions are to be attempted, choosing at least one question from each section.

  • Marks carried by each question/part are indicated.

  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate.

  • Word limit in questions must be adhered to.

  • Attempts of questions will be counted in sequential order.

Section A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. What is polyploidy? Give a brief account of the classification of polyploids. (10 marks)

   2. What are the applications of mass selection in self-pollinated crops? Describe its merits and demerits. (10 marks)

   3. What do you understand by vertical and horizontal disease resistance in crop plants? (10 marks)

   4. Define seed quality. Describe the characteristics of a seed which decide its quality. (10 marks)

   5. Define matric potential, osmotic potential, and turgor potential and explain their interrelationships with water potential. (10 marks)

2. Plant Genetics and Breeding:

   1. Discuss the structure of a plant chromosome and its role in genetic diversity. (20 marks)

   2. Discuss the concept of the center of origin of crops and its role in plant breeding. Describe the role of N. I. Vavilov in identifying the center of origin of various crops with appropriate examples. (20 marks)

   3. What are the factors that affect the longevity of seeds during storage in warehouses? Describe. (10 marks)

3. Mutation and Genetic Engineering:

   1. What do you mean by mutation? What is the significance of induced mutation in plant breeding? (20 marks)

   2. Describe in brief the applications of genetic engineering for insect and herbicide resistance in crop plants. (20 marks)

   3. What is the need for the protection of intellectual property rights of traditional knowledge? Explain sui generis protection of traditional knowledge. (10 marks)

4. Nutrient Absorption and Somatic Hybridization:

   1. Discuss the mechanisms of absorption and translocation of mineral nutrients in plants. (20 marks)

   2. Define aneuploidy. Give an account of morphological and cytological functions of aneuploidy and discuss its application in crop improvement. (20 marks)

   3. Explain the techniques involved in somatic hybridization in crop plants. (10 marks)

Section B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

   1. Give a detailed account of sucrose metabolism in plants. (10 marks)

   2. Enlist and explain the symptoms of plant diseases which disrupt the photosynthesis function. (10 marks)

   3. What are pesticide formulations? Discuss the different types of formulations used in pest control. (10 marks)

   4. Enlist and explain the salient features of the Public Distribution System as per the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013. (10 marks)

   5. Enlist and explain the efforts of the Government of India in streamlining the current levels of poverty. (10 marks)

6. Poverty and Pesticide Use:

   1. Describe the vicious cycle of poverty and enlist the existing policy instruments for combating malnutrition. (20 marks)

   2. Enlist and explain 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' in pesticide usage with reference to purchase, handling, application, and disposal of pesticides. (20 marks)

   3. Define biotic stress in plants. Explain the role of salicylic acid in a plant's response to biotic stress. (10 marks)

7. Flower Trade and Photorespiration:

   1. Enlist the different commercial flowers cultivated on a large scale for cut flower trade. Briefly discuss the factors affecting the keeping quality of cut flowers and the remedies. (20 marks)

   2. Discuss photorespiration. What is the relationship between photorespiration and photosynthesis? (20 marks)

   3. Enlist and explain the issues and challenges in the growth of the food processing industry in India. (10 marks)

8. Seed Spices and Pest Control:

   1. Enlist the seed spices grown in India. Briefly discuss the cultivation and post-harvest management practices for coriander and cumin. (20 marks)

   2. Describe the various methods of pest control with appropriate examples. (20 marks)

   3. What is food security? Why is it essential? Describe the current food security system in India. (10 marks)