Question 1

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, what percentage of the population is entitled to receive subsidized food grains?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act, 2013 guarantees subsidized food grains to 67% of the population in rural areas and 50% in urban areas, prioritizing the poorest households.

Question 2

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing food security and agricultural policies in India?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution handles food security, PDS, and food grain management. Agricultural policies are handled by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Question 3

What is the minimum support price (MSP) in agriculture primarily designed to achieve?

Accepted Answer

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government-guaranteed price for agricultural commodities. It is primarily designed to protect farmers from price fluctuations and ensure remunerative prices for their produce, thereby promoting agricultural production and farmer welfare.

Question 4

Which of the following is the primary objective of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India?

Accepted Answer

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a food security mechanism that ensures affordable access to essential commodities like rice, wheat, and sugar to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families. It is one of the world's largest food distribution networks.

Question 5

Which of the following crops is NOT typically covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?

Accepted Answer

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana covers food crops (cereals, pulses, oilseeds) and commercial crops like cotton, sugarcane, and jute. Horticulture crops like fruits and vegetables are generally not covered under PMFBY.

Question 6

What is the minimum support price (MSP) mechanism primarily designed to achieve?

Accepted Answer

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government-set price floor for agricultural commodities to protect farmers from price volatility and ensure remunerative returns for their produce.

Question 7

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was enacted in India in which year?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was enacted in 2013. It is a landmark legislation that provides a legal right to food for all citizens, covering approximately 67% of the population through the Public Distribution System.

Question 8

Which scheme was launched by the Government of India to provide food grains to the poor at highly subsidised prices under the National Food Security Act, 2013?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 provides for the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under which eligible beneficiaries receive food grains (rice, wheat, coarse grains) at subsidised prices. Under the scheme, up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban population are covered.

Question 9

Which ministry in India is primarily responsible for implementing food security and public distribution policies?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the nodal ministry responsible for implementing food security policies, managing the Public Distribution System, and regulating food prices in India.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?

Accepted Answer

PMKSY focuses on irrigation efficiency and water conservation through 'Per Drop More Crop' and 'Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme' components, not on direct crop insurance or fertilizer subsidies.

Question 11

The National Food Security Act, 2013 guarantees food grains to what percentage of the population?

Accepted Answer

The NFSA, 2013 provides subsidized food grains to approximately 67% of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas), covering both BPL and APL households.

Question 12

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) in India?

Accepted Answer

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Question 13

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) primarily covers which risk to farmers?

Accepted Answer

PMFBY, launched in 2016, provides insurance coverage against crop loss due to natural calamities (drought, flood, hail, cyclone), pests, and diseases—not market price fluctuations.

Question 14

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, what is the quantity of foodgrains entitled to eligible households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) per month?

Accepted Answer

Under NFSA 2013, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month, while priority households (PHH) receive 5 kg per person per month. AAY targets the poorest of the poor families.

Question 15

Which constitutional article specifically addresses the State's duty to provide food security and nutrition?

Accepted Answer

Article 47 of the Indian Constitution places a duty on the State to improve public health and nutrition and to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living of its people.

Question 16

Under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) classifies beneficiary households into how many categories based on economic status?

Accepted Answer

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), implemented nationwide from June 1997, categorizes beneficiary households into three distinct categories: Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL), and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). AAY was introduced in December 2000 specifically for the poorest of the poor households. This three-tier classification determines the quantity and subsidy level of foodgrains (rice and wheat) each household receives monthly. The distinction is critical for food security policy implementation and is a frequently tested static fact in SSC economics sections.

Question 17

Under the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) classifies beneficiary households into how many categories based on economic status?

Accepted Answer

The TPDS divides beneficiary households into three categories: Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL), and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). This three-tier classification determines the quantity and price of foodgrains distributed to each household.

Question 18

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, what quantity of foodgrains per month is entitled to each person belonging to the 'Antyodaya Anna Yojana' (AAY) household?

Accepted Answer

Under NFSA 2013, AAY households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per month per household (not per person), whereas priority households under NFSA get 5 kg per person per month. AAY was launched in December 2000 and targets the poorest of the poor. The 35 kg per household figure is a frequently tested static fact in SSC exams.

Question 19

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides direct income support to small and marginal farmers. What is the annual amount transferred per beneficiary household under this scheme?

Accepted Answer

The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in December 2018, provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible small and marginal farmers, disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The scheme covers farmers with landholding up to 2 hectares.

Question 20

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, mandates that farmers pay a uniform premium rate of what percentage of the sum insured for kharif crops?

Accepted Answer

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched on January 13, 2016, requires farmers to pay a uniform premium of 2% of the sum insured for kharif crops and 1.5% for rabi crops. The government and state governments together cover the remaining premium.

SSC CGL Agriculture & Food Security

Agriculture & Food Security— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Agriculture & Food Security — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Agriculture & Food Security