Q501. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the agricultural geography of Rajasthan.
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q502. In the context of arid agriculture in Rajasthan, which of the following is an effective moisture conservation technique?
Explanation
Arid agriculture in Rajasthan relies on effective moisture conservation techniques to combat high evaporation and low rainfall. Contour bunding involves creating barriers along slope lines to reduce runoff and enhance water infiltration. Mulching covers the soil surface with organic or inorganic materials to retain moisture. These practices are essential for sustaining crops in regions where water availability is limited.
Q503. Which agro-climatic zone of Rajasthan encompasses the districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bikaner?
Explanation
The districts of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Churu are part of the Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone, also known as Zone One-C. This region experiences extremely low rainfall and high temperatures, representing the core of the Thar Desert. While irrigation facilities have expanded through the Indira Gandhi Canal, large areas remain hyper-arid. This classification highlights the specific climatic challenges.
Q504. The following question consists of two statements. Read both statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: Salinity and alkalinity are common problems in the soils of arid regions.
Statement II: High evaporation rates draw dissolved salts to the soil surface.
Statement I: Salinity and alkalinity are common problems in the soils of arid regions.
Statement II: High evaporation rates draw dissolved salts to the soil surface.
Explanation
Salinity and alkalinity are prevalent soil issues in arid regions like western Rajasthan. High evaporation rates exceed precipitation, causing a capillary action that draws dissolved salts from deeper layers to the soil surface. Over time, these salts accumulate, making the soil less productive for standard crops. Understanding this geochemical process is vital for implementing effective soil reclamation and management.
Q505. The practice of cultivating crops in regions receiving less than 750 mm of annual rainfall without supplementary irrigation is strictly defined as:
Explanation
Dry farming is specifically defined as the cultivation of crops in regions where the annual rainfall is less than seven hundred and fifty millimeters. In this system, agricultural production occurs without any supplementary irrigation, relying solely on stored soil moisture. This practice is common in the aridest parts of Rajasthan. It differs from dryland farming, which covers higher rainfall.
Q506. Identify the odd one out among the following challenges faced by farmers in the arid plains of Rajasthan.
Explanation
Farmers in the arid plains of Rajasthan face challenges like frequent droughts, extreme temperature variations, and low soil organic carbon. However, the siltation of perennial rivers is not a characteristic challenge because the region largely lacks perennial river systems. Most water bodies in these arid districts are seasonal or ephemeral. Therefore, river siltation does not represent a primary concern.
Q507. The phenomenon of desertification in Rajasthan is primarily accelerated by which of the following anthropogenic factors?
Explanation
Desertification in Rajasthan is significantly accelerated by anthropogenic factors such as overgrazing by livestock. When the number of animals exceeds the carrying capacity of the land, the protective vegetative cover is destroyed. This exposes the soil to wind erosion and reduces its water-holding capacity. Other factors like deforestation and unscientific land use further exacerbate the degradation of ecosystems.
Q508. Which of the following drought-resistant crop varieties is commonly cultivated in the arid regions of Rajasthan for grain and fodder?
Explanation
Pearl Millet, locally known as Bajra, is the most common drought-resistant crop cultivated in the arid regions of Rajasthan. It is well-adapted to sandy soils and requires minimal water to reach maturity. This crop provides essential food grains for human consumption and valuable fodder for livestock. Its resilience makes it a staple for farmers residing in desert districts.
Q509. Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) is extensively grown in Rajasthan because:
Explanation
Moth bean is extensively grown in Rajasthan because of its remarkable drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils. This pulse crop forms a dense canopy over the soil, which helps in reducing moisture evaporation and checking wind erosion. It is a vital source of protein in arid regions and requires very little rainfall for a harvest.
Q510. Consider the following statements regarding drought-resistant crop varieties suited for Rajasthan:
I. ‘Khejri’ is widely intercropped with Bajra to maintain soil fertility.
II. Guar (Cluster bean) requires high rainfall for optimal gum production.
III. ‘Pratap’ is a widely adopted drought-tolerant variety of Maize in southern Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. ‘Khejri’ is widely intercropped with Bajra to maintain soil fertility.
II. Guar (Cluster bean) requires high rainfall for optimal gum production.
III. ‘Pratap’ is a widely adopted drought-tolerant variety of Maize in southern Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
In Rajasthan’s agricultural landscape, Khejri trees are traditionally intercropped with Bajra to enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Additionally, ‘Pratap’ is a well-known drought-tolerant variety of Maize specifically suited for the southern districts. However, Guar or cluster bean is actually highly drought-tolerant and does not require high rainfall. Therefore, only the first and third statements are correct.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 501 | (d) The entire state of Rajasthan falls under a single agro-climatic zone. |
| 502 | (c) Contour bunding and mulching |
| 503 | (b) Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone |
| 504 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 505 | (a) Dry farming |
| 506 | (c) Siltation of perennial rivers |
| 507 | (a) Overgrazing by livestock |
| 508 | (d) Pearl Millet (Bajra) |
| 509 | (b) It is drought-tolerant and forms a dense soil cover. |
| 510 | (b) I and III only |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.