Farm Subsidies, MSP, PDS & Food Security — UPSC Questions
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Previous year questions and Mains practice questions on this exact syllabus topic, collected from every GainingSun analysis mapped to it. Each question links back to the analysis it came from, so you can read the material behind the answer.
Previous year questions (from 10 analyses)
Questions UPSC has set on this syllabus topic, as cited in our analyses.
How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (UPSC Mains GS3, 2017)
From Fertiliser Sales and El Niño Explained: What Weak Farm Demand Signals for India
La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino?
La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Answer: D (UPSC Prelims 2011)
Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? (UPSC Mains 2014, GS Paper 1)
From El Niño Effect: Why India's Vegetable Oil, Pulses and Cotton Imports May Hit New Records
Consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2020) 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. 3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Answer: (a)
From WPI Inflation Nears 10% in June: New 2022-23 Base Series, PPI and Food Prices Explained
What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become bane in India? (UPSC Mains GS3, 2020)
From Direct-Seeded Rice Explained: Why Farmers Are Shifting Amid El Niño Monsoon Risk
What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of 'Trade War', especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (UPSC GS Paper II, 2018)
'What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India's national self-esteem and ambitions.' Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC GS Paper II, 2019)
From India–US Trade Deal Explained: Greer's Visit, Section 301 Tariffs & a Shrinking Surplus
How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss. (UPSC Mains GS1, 2015)
From El Niño and Weak Monsoon Explained: Why Maharashtra Rainfall Has Stalled and What It Means for India
"What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India's national self-esteem and ambitions." Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC CSE Mains 2019, GS Paper II)
From India-US Trade Deal Explained: USTR Visit, Section 301 Tariffs and the Mission 500 BTA
(UPSC CSE Prelims 2017) With reference to 'Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)' sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting the Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between the tropical Western Indian Ocean and the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Niño's impact on the monsoon. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: (b) 2 only
(UPSC CSE Mains 2014, GS Paper 1) Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?
From El Niño Emerges in Pacific: How ENSO, IOD and IMD's 2026 Forecast Shape India's Monsoon
What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and at state levels? Critically analyse the agricultural subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2013)
In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2016)
In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2015)
What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyse the agriculture subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2013)
From Fertiliser Subsidy Burden Set to Double: Hormuz Crisis, Urea Imports & NBS Explained
Mains practice questions (from 19 analyses)
Practice questions written for this topic, each tied to the current affairs that would answer it.
A fall in fertiliser sales may reveal agricultural stress, but it is an incomplete measure of rural economic conditions. Examine the links between monsoon variability, farm-input demand and fertiliser policy, and suggest an appropriate response. (250 words, 15 marks)
From Fertiliser Sales and El Niño Explained: What Weak Farm Demand Signals for India
A weak southwest monsoon coinciding with a strengthening El Niño exposes the structural vulnerability of India's rainfed agriculture, particularly in pulses, oilseeds and cotton. Examine how such climatic shocks affect India's food security and import bill, and suggest short-term policy responses as well as long-term measures to reduce import dependence in these commodities. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS Paper 3)
From El Niño Effect: Why India's Vegetable Oil, Pulses and Cotton Imports May Hit New Records
"India's transition from the Wholesale Price Index to a Producer Price Index framework is not merely a statistical exercise but a reform in how inflation is measured and managed." In the light of the surge in wholesale inflation to nearly 10 per cent in June 2026, explain the key features of the revised WPI series (base year 2022-23) and the new PPI framework, and examine the challenges that a divergence between wholesale and retail inflation poses for monetary policy. (250 words)
From WPI Inflation Nears 10% in June: New 2022-23 Base Series, PPI and Food Prices Explained
Direct-seeded rice can reduce the water and labour intensity of paddy cultivation, but it is not a complete solution to India’s groundwater and cropping-pattern crisis. Discuss.
From Direct-Seeded Rice Explained: Why Farmers Are Shifting Amid El Niño Monsoon Risk
The recent India–US trade negotiations unfold against the backdrop of a shifting and increasingly unilateral global trade order. In this context, examine the challenges and opportunities a bilateral trade agreement with the United States presents for India's external sector, with particular reference to its agriculture, investment climate and trade balance. (250 words)
From India–US Trade Deal Explained: Greer's Visit, Section 301 Tariffs & a Shrinking Surplus
El Niño-induced monsoon variability can affect India’s agriculture, food inflation and water security. Discuss the institutional and policy measures needed to make India’s monsoon-dependent economy more climate-resilient.
From El Niño and Weak Monsoon Explained: Why Maharashtra Rainfall Has Stalled and What It Means for India
India's recent trade engagement with the United States reflects the challenge of balancing market-opening commitments with the protection of strategic domestic sectors. In this context, examine the opportunities and risks of the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement. (250 words / 15 marks)
From India-US Trade Deal Explained: USTR Visit, Section 301 Tariffs and the Mission 500 BTA
Explain the mechanism by which El Niño suppresses the Indian southwest monsoon, and assess why the Indian Ocean Dipole means an El Niño does not always translate into a drought year for India. (250 words, 15 marks)
From El Niño Emerges in Pacific: How ENSO, IOD and IMD's 2026 Forecast Shape India's Monsoon
India’s fertiliser subsidy system protects farmers from global price shocks but also creates fiscal and ecological distortions. Discuss with reference to urea imports, nutrient imbalance and the need for balanced fertiliser use.
India's fertiliser subsidy regime, while ensuring affordability for farmers, has created fiscal and agronomic distortions and exposed the country to global supply shocks. Critically examine, with reference to recent disruptions in global fertiliser supply chains. (250 words, 15 marks)
From Fertiliser Subsidy Burden Set to Double: Hormuz Crisis, Urea Imports & NBS Explained
"A weak monsoon no longer automatically translates into an economic crisis for India, yet rainfall variability remains a critical risk." In light of the IMD's 2026 below-normal monsoon forecast, examine the factors that have improved India's resilience to monsoon shocks and suggest measures to further reduce agricultural vulnerability to climate variability. (250 words / 15 marks)
From IMD Cuts 2026 Monsoon to 90% of LPA: El Niño, IOD & "Below Normal" Rainfall Explained
"El Niño is not destiny, but a probability." In the context of the developing 2026 El Niño and IMD's below-normal Southwest Monsoon forecast, examine the ocean-atmosphere mechanisms linking ENSO with the Indian monsoon. Discuss the role of the Indian Ocean Dipole and other moderating factors, and evaluate India's preparedness — institutional, agricultural, and economic — for a weak monsoon year. (250 words / 15 marks)
The recent Iranian attacks on petrochemical facilities in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait along with Israeli strikes in Lebanon have sharply escalated tensions in West Asia. In this context, examine the impact of targeting energy infrastructure on global oil supply chains and discuss the measures India should adopt to safeguard its energy security amid such regional conflicts.
The successful community biogas model in Ekauni village of Uttar Pradesh demonstrates an effective solution to rural energy challenges amid the LPG crisis. In this context, discuss the potential of decentralised biogas plants in achieving India’s clean energy and sustainable development goals while addressing issues of women’s health and climate change.
From UP Village of 500 Beats LPG Crisis with Biogas Plant: Ekauni Model Shows Sustainable Path
Discuss the environmental and health consequences of modern warfare, with special reference to the toxic fallout from airstrikes in conflict zones like the recent Israel-Iran tensions, and suggest measures for international regulation.
Examine the challenges in achieving a balance between controlling food inflation and ensuring remunerative prices for farmers in India's agricultural policy framework.
Examine the implications of the transition from sugarcane to grain-based ethanol production in India on agricultural sustainability, energy security, and the food vs fuel dilemma, in the context of achieving the 20% blending target by 2025-26.
Discuss the evolution of India's dairy sector since the White Revolution and evaluate the impact of government policies on its growth, sustainability, and contribution to rural empowerment in the context of achieving self-reliance by 2047.
From India's Dairy Sector: Achieving 70% Growth in 11 Years to Become World's Fastest-Expanding Industry
Discuss the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of camels in India and evaluate the potential impact of the National Camel Mission in addressing the challenges of their declining population.