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.
Showing 561–570 of 662 questions
Browse Health, Environment and Agriculture chapters
Explanation
Integrating Medicinal and Aromatic Plants into traditional farming systems offers significant advantages for Rajasthan’s farmers. These plants often provide higher economic returns compared to traditional food grains. Furthermore, many medicinal species are naturally avoided by stray cattle and wild grazing animals due to their bitter taste or chemical properties. This reduces the risk of crop damage and lowers protection costs.Explanation
Rajasthan is a major hub for seed spice cultivation in India, with production concentrated in specific regions. The Hadoti region (southeastern Rajasthan) and the Jodhpur-Nagaur belt in the west are the primary areas for spice farming. These regions provide the necessary climatic conditions for crops like cumin, coriander, and fenugreek. Spice cultivation has become a backbone of the regional economy.Explanation
Cumin, or Jeera, is one of the most important agricultural exports from Rajasthan. The state accounts for a massive share of the national cumin production. This spice is highly valued in international markets for its quality and essential oil content. Western districts like Jalore and Barmer are famous for their high-quality cumin. Its export contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings.Explanation
Cumin is a delicate Rabi season crop in Rajasthan that requires careful management. It is highly sensitive to extreme cold and frost, which can severely damage the flowering stage. Additionally, the crop is prone to diseases like Alternaria blight and wilt, especially during cloudy weather. Successful cumin cultivation requires precise weather conditions and timely plant protection measures for a harvest.Explanation
The National Research Centre on Seed Spices is located at Tabiji in the Ajmer district. This premier institute focuses on research and development related to various seed spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel. It works on developing high-yielding varieties and standardized production technologies for farmers. The center’s location in Ajmer is strategic, given the district’s proximity to major spice-growing regions.| Spice | Prominent Cultivating District/Region |
|---|---|
| A. Cumin (Jeera) | i. Jalore and Barmer |
| B. Coriander (Dhaniya) | ii. Baran and Kota |
| C. Fenugreek (Methi) | iii. Nagaur |
| D. Fennel (Saunf) | iv. Sirohi and Tonk |
Explanation
Different regions of Rajasthan are specialized in the production of various seed spices. Cumin is a major crop in the Jalore and Barmer districts, while Coriander is predominantly grown in the Hadoti region’s Baran and Kota districts. Nagaur is famous for its high-quality Fenugreek, and Fennel is commonly cultivated in the Sirohi and Tonk areas. This regional specialization is traditional.Explanation
Coriander cultivation in southeastern Rajasthan is supported by the presence of heavy black soils, scientifically known as Vertisols. These soils have high water-holding capacity and are rich in nutrients, making them ideal for the Hadoti region’s agricultural pattern. The combination of fertile soils and favorable winter climate allows for large-scale commercial production. Rajasthan remains a leading producer of coriander.Explanation
Plantago, locally known as Zeeri, is a major weed that poses a significant biological constraint to cumin cultivation in Rajasthan. Its seeds are very similar in appearance to cumin, making it difficult to separate during and after harvest. Zeeri competes with the main crop for nutrients and moisture, leading to reduced yields and quality. Managing this weed is a challenge.Explanation
Cultivating seed spices like cumin and coriander is economically significant for Rajasthan because they are short-duration cash crops. They require relatively less water compared to traditional Rabi crops like wheat, making them ideal for the state’s water-scarce environment. These spices fetch high prices in international markets, providing farmers with substantial returns in a short period. They drive rural prosperity.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 561 | (a) Sojat (Pali) |
| 562 | (b) Higher economic returns and avoided by grazing animals. |
| 563 | (b) Hadoti region and Jodhpur-Nagaur |
| 564 | (a) Cumin (Jeera) |
| 565 | (c) Sensitive to frost and diseases like blight. |
| 566 | (d) Ajmer (Tabiji) |
| 567 | (c) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 568 | (d) Heavy black soils (Vertisols) |
| 569 | (a) Plantago (Zeeri) |
| 570 | (c) Short-duration cash crops with high returns under water scarcity. |
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.