Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the nodal agency responsible for food security, PDS implementation, and foodgrain management in India.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

MSP is a government-guaranteed price for agricultural commodities to protect farmers from price volatility and ensure remunerative returns for their produce.

Question 3

Which of the following is India's primary food security scheme that aims to provide subsidized food grains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families?

Accepted Answer

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India's primary food security mechanism established post-independence to ensure food grain availability at affordable prices to economically weaker sections.

Question 4

Which scheme was launched by the Government of India to provide subsidised foodgrains to the poor under the National Food Security Act, 2013?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 provides for subsidised foodgrains to approximately two-thirds of India's population through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Beneficiaries receive foodgrains at highly subsidised prices of Rs. 1–3 per kg.

Question 5

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was enacted in which year to provide legal right to food to Indian citizens?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act, 2013 was enacted to provide a legal framework ensuring food security and nutritional support to vulnerable populations in India.

Question 6

Green Revolution in India primarily focused on increasing production of which crop?

Accepted Answer

The Green Revolution (1960s-1970s) in India primarily aimed at increasing production of wheat and rice through high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and modern agricultural techniques.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The Public Distribution System 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.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The NFSA, 2013 guarantees subsidized foodgrains to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, making it a legally enforceable right to food.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a component of India's food security framework?

Accepted Answer

India's food security framework includes PDS, MSP, buffer stock maintenance, and NFSA. Agricultural export subsidies are not part of the domestic food security framework.

Question 10

The 'Green Revolution' in India, which significantly increased agricultural productivity, was primarily associated with which crop and which state initially?

Accepted Answer

The Green Revolution (1960s-1970s) was initiated in Punjab with wheat as the primary crop, using high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, and modern irrigation. Punjab became the 'Granary of India' due to this transformation.

Question 11

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) in India is announced by which ministry/organization?

Accepted Answer

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), an autonomous body under the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, recommends MSP for various crops. The Union Cabinet approves these recommendations.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The PDS is a food security mechanism that distributes essential commodities (rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene) at subsidized rates to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families through Fair Price Shops.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The NFSA, 2013 provides for subsidized foodgrains to approximately 67% of India's population: 75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas. This covers both Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries.

Question 14

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural crops in India is recommended by which body?

Accepted Answer

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), established in 1965, recommends MSP for major agricultural commodities to the Government of India. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. CACP does not fix MSP but only recommends it; the final decision rests with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Question 15

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 guarantees subsidized foodgrains to what percentage of the population?

Accepted Answer

The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for subsidized foodgrains to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population. This was a landmark legislation that made food security a legal right rather than a welfare measure.

Question 16

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme?

Accepted Answer

The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in February 2019, is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. It provides direct income support of ₹6,000 per annum (in three installments of ₹2,000 each) to all landholding farmers.

Question 17

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural commodities in India is announced by which body?

Accepted Answer

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, recommends MSP for various agricultural commodities. The Union Government accepts these recommendations and announces MSP before each sowing season.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, provides crop insurance coverage for food crops (cereals, pulses, oilseeds) and commercial/horticulture crops. However, it does NOT cover livestock, fisheries, or non-agricultural activities.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Development (ISAD) as per the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare guidelines?

Accepted Answer

ISAD was a centrally sponsored scheme that integrated multiple agricultural development programs. The scheme covered crop production, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries. However, it did NOT explicitly include urban agriculture or agro-forestry as primary components, though these may be supported under other schemes.

Question 20

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides direct income support to farmers. What is the total annual income support per beneficiary farmer as per the current scheme, and how is it disbursed?

Accepted Answer

PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers, disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each (every four months). The scheme was launched on 24 February 2019 and covers all landholding farmers, with some exclusions for high-income groups.

SSC CHSL 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