Agriculture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Agriculture (Geography). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 1996Geography · Agriculture
Q1. Which one of the following sets of conditions is necessary for a good crop of wheat?
Explanation
Wheat is mainly grown during Rabi season and has wide adaptability. It can be grown not only in the tropical and sub-tropical zones, but also in the temperate zone and the cold tracts of the far north, beyond even to the 60 degrees North altitude.
Option (a) is correct: Wheat grows best in a moderate temperature range of 10°C-25°C. For a good crop of wheat, the following conditions are ideal:
Temperature: Wheat grows best in a moderate temperature range of 10°C-25°C. Temperatures above 25 C during this period tend to depress grain weight. Moderate rainfall of 50-75 cm is sufficient, as excessive rainfall can damage the crop. Cloudy weather, with high humidity and low temperatures is conducive for rust attack Wheat requires a cool climate during the growing period and a warm, dry climate during harvesting to ensure proper grain development.
UPSC 1996Geography · Agriculture
Q2. Which one of the following is an important crop of the Barak valley?
Explanation
The Barak Valley is located in the southern part of Assam, India, comprising the districts of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. This region is characterized by a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C and annual rainfall between 100 to 200 cm. These conditions are ideal for the cultivation of jute, making it a significant crop in the Barak Valley.
Option (a) is correct: Jute is grown here as a cash crop and contributes significantly to the region’s agricultural economy. Jute flourishes in regions with high humidity, temperatures exceeding 25°C, and well-drained loamy soil. The Barak Valley is enriched by the Barak River which provides these ideal conditions making it highly suitable for jute cultivation. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
While tea is a significant crop in Assam, tea cultivation is more prominent in the Brahmaputra Valley rather than the Barak Valley. Sugarcane is cultivated in various parts of India, including Assam but it is not a major crop of the Barak Valley. The major sugarcane producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, and Odisha with Uttar Pradesh being the largest producer of sugarcane in the country. Cotton is not a significant crop in the Barak Valley due to the region’s unsuitable climatic and soil conditions. States of India known for cotton production include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1996
(a) Moderate temperature and moderate rainfall
2
1996
(a) Jute
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Agriculture?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Agriculture (Geography), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Agriculture?
Questions on Agriculture (Geography) are available for 9 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
