UPSC Mains PYQs on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 12 questions on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns (syllabus item 4 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 157.5 marks in all, about 1.2 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Cropping pattern (4), Crop Diversification (3), Integrated Farming System (2), Horticulture (1). The busiest year was 2018 (3 questions, 40 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 4: Major Crops - Cropping patterns in various parts of the country
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Major Crops and Cropping Patterns: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 10 marks
-
Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India.
2024 1 question · 10 marks
-
Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.
2023 1 question · 15 marks
-
Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
-
What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India?
2021 1 question · 15 marks
-
What is the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?
2020 1 question · 15 marks
-
What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?
2019 1 question · 10 marks
-
How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?
2018 3 questions · 40 marks
-
How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.
-
Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?
-
Sikkim is the first 'Organic State' in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State?
2017 1 question · 15 marks
-
What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system?
2016 1 question · 12.5 marks
-
What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Major Crops and Cropping Patterns at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 4 (Agriculture) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 12 (2013-2025), about 1.2 a year |
| Total marks | 157.5 marks |
| Last five years | 5 questions, 65 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 15 marks (7 questions) |
| Directive words | Explain (3), Elaborate (1), Assess (1), Discuss (1) |
| Busiest year | 2018 (3 questions, 40 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2023 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2018 | 3 | 40 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| Total | 12 | 157.5 marks |
Microthemes in Major Crops and Cropping Patterns
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Cropping pattern 4 · 57.5 marks
- Crop Diversification 3 · 40 marks
- Integrated Farming System 2 · 25 marks
- Horticulture 1 · 15 marks
- Millets 1 · 10 marks
- Organic Farming 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 3
- 01. Indian Economy: Growth and Development 22 · 272.5 marks
- 02. Inclusive Growth 12 · 145 marks
- 03. Government Budgeting 8 · 97.5 marks
- 05. Irrigation 6 · 72.5 marks
- 06. Agricultural Storage, Transport and Marketing 5 · 57.5 marks
- 07. E-Technology for Farmers 4 · 50 marks
- 08. Farm Subsidies, MSP and PDS 12 · 150 marks
- 09. Animal Rearing 1 · 12.5 marks
- 10. Food Processing Industries 7 · 82.5 marks
- 11. Land Reforms 7 · 77.5 marks
- 12. Liberalisation and Industrial Policy 14 · 160 marks
- 13. Infrastructure and Investment Models 15 · 177.5 marks
- 14. Science and Technology in Everyday Life 14 · 147.5 marks
- 15. Indian Achievements and Indigenisation in S&T 5 · 57.5 marks
- 16. IT, Space, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, IPR 23 · 282.5 marks
- 17. Conservation, Pollution and EIA 32 · 395 marks
- 18. Disaster Management 16 · 205 marks
- 19. Development and Extremism 8 · 97.5 marks
- 20. External State and Non-State Actors 5 · 62.5 marks
- 21. Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering 16 · 190 marks
- 22. Border Areas and Organised Crime 20 · 242.5 marks
- 23. Security Forces and Agencies 4 · 57.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns?
12 questions on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 157.5 marks in all. That is about 1.2 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Major Crops and Cropping Patterns microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Major Crops and Cropping Patterns are Cropping pattern (4), Crop Diversification (3), Integrated Farming System (2), Horticulture (1). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Major Crops and Cropping Patterns asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Major Crops and Cropping Patterns was 2018 (3 questions, 40 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Major Crops and Cropping Patterns questions carry?
Of the 12 questions on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns, 7 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 marks, 4 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns?
The directive words in the 12 questions on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns are Explain (3), Elaborate (1), Assess (1), Discuss (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Major Crops and Cropping Patterns important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 5 questions on Major Crops and Cropping Patterns, worth 65 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 2, worth 27.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Major Crops and Cropping Patterns belong to?
Major Crops and Cropping Patterns belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 3, titled Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Major Crops and Cropping Patterns PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules