UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Agriculture Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

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09 Sep UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Agriculture Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

Posted at 09 Sep 2026 in UPSC by
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The questions below are from Agriculture Optional Paper I of UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 (held 2026-08-30) — the actual paper, which is public government content. This page carries the questions for reference and revision; model answers for this paper are not published here.

Official paper (PDF): upsc.gov.in.

  1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) What are the major sources of water pollution in India ? What are the ways to check it ? (b) What are the basic concepts of a farming system ? Briefly explain three major indigenous farming systems followed in India. (c) Write down the names and characteristics of tree species suitable for agroforestry. (d) Write down the dissemination of weeds with appropriate examples. (e) Write down the functions and deficiency symptoms of secondary nutrients in plants.
  2. (a) Give an account of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. State the mitigation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture. (b) Give a lucid account on the scope of precision farming in India. Enumerate its benefits and limitations in the Indian scenario. (c) How can GIS be utilised for land use analysis and micro-watershed planning ? KVMS-PAGL
  3. Discuss the vegetative propagation methods adopted in forest plants with suitable examples and their limitations. (b) Discuss in detail the management practices in the ratoon crop of sugarcane. (c) Suggest suitable chemical weed management practices for the following crops : – (i) Maize – (ii) Moong – (iii) Cotton – (iv) Sugarcane
  4. What do you mean by soil consistency and soil plasticity ? Briefly discuss the various forms of soil consistency found in soils. (b) What is nitrification ? Describe the factors affecting nitrification process in soil. (c) Briefly discuss the reasons responsible for increasing available phosphorus after flooding, in most of the soils.
  5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Write down the approaches for soil conservation. (b) Briefly discuss the criteria for irrigation scheduling in crop plants. (c) Describe the various components of the drip irrigation system with the help of a schematic diagram. (d) How are prices regulated through agricultural price policy ? (e) Write the steps involved in farm planning.
  6. On the basis of Boron content, classify irrigation water suitability for various soils and crops. (b) Categorise industrial effluents and briefly discuss their effects on soil properties. (c) Briefly discuss the problems associated with dryland agriculture in India. What are the ways to increase production and productivity in dryland areas ?
  7. (a) What are the various factors affecting farm profits ? Discuss the decisions which are critical to attain good farm profits. 20 (b) Differentiate between extension education and extension services. Discuss extension education as an applied science. 20 (c) Write down the practices involved in 'Integrated Watershed Management' for improving livelihood security. 10
  8. (a) Differentiate between monitoring and evaluation of extension programmes. Discuss the various types of evaluation of extension programmes. 20 (b) Discuss the rationale of Farmers' markets in India. Enlist the impact of farmers' markets on various stakeholders with suitable examples. 20 (c) Briefly discuss the measures to control soil erosion by wind. 10

Questions reproduced from the official paper for study purposes; verify on the exam-conducting body’s official website.

Related — other papers of this exam

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