Crops, irrigation, farm marketing
Syllabus: Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Current affairs on this topic 10
- Monsoon 2026 ends 12.6% below normal, India's weakest season since 2015 1 October 2026
A dry June, a strong El Niño and a late rally: how did India end up with a 'deficient' monsoon?
- Why the Centre cut import duty on crude edible oils ahead of the festival season 30 September 2026
Cheaper cooking oil for the festivals, or a setback for India's oilseed farmers and its self-reliance mission?
- Op-ed: Cutting food loss and waste offers India a triple win 29 September 2026
India grows enough food for 1.4 billion people. Why does so much of it rot before anyone eats it?
- Towards recognising women as farmers 23 September 2026
Women do much of India's farm work. Few own the land they work on.
- The persistent decline in India's groundwater 21 September 2026
India pumps more groundwater than any other country. For how long?
- Monsoon begins withdrawing from west Rajasthan with 43% of India's area rain-deficient 20 September 2026
The monsoon is leaving on time, but 15% short. What decides when it 'withdraws', and what comes next?
- Stiff 'red entry' rules in land records to curb farm fires 19 September 2026
A mark on your land record for burning stubble. Will it work?
- India's first payments to farmers for soil carbon 18 September 2026
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana paid for carbon stored in their soil.
- Op-ed: E20 petrol's mileage loss may have cost consumers ₹88,234 crore in three years 17 September 2026
Blending ethanol was meant to save money, crude and carbon. What if lower mileage eats into all three?
- Six States sign the Kishau dam pact on the Tons; Centre to bear about 90% of the cost 16 September 2026
A dam pending for about four decades finally has six signatures. Who gains, who loses land, and who pays?
Previous-year questions 17
- 2026 · GS3 · 15 marks Discuss the different types of subsidies and supports provided by the Government of India to agricultural sector. Examine the related issues pertaining to Agreement on Agriculture of World Trade…
- 2026 · GS3 · 15 marks Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?
- 2025 · GS3 · 15 marks Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
- 2025 · GS3 · 10 marks How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?
- 2024 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.
- 2023 · GS3 · 10 marks Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam…
- 2021 · GS3 · 10 marks How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers?
- 2021 · GS3 · 10 marks How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India's water crisis?
- 2021 · GS3 · 10 marks Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What…
- 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario.
- 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?
- 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India?
- 2019 · GS3 · 15 marks Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector.
- 2018 · GS3 · 10 marks Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries?
- 2018 · GS3 · 10 marks Sikkim is the first 'Organic State' in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State?
- 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010…
- 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with…