Agriculture & Rural Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At the State Level Cooperative Conference in Bhopal on 13 April 2025, the National Dairy Development Board signed an MoU with which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation
Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF) signed the MoU with NDDB.
According to the Ministry of Cooperation, what share of India's milk does Madhya Pradesh produce?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 9%
9% of India's milk is produced in Madhya Pradesh; only 17% of its villages have a milk collection system.
Consider the following statements about the dairy cooperative position in Madhya Pradesh as stated at the Bhopal conference: 1. Cooperative dairies' share in the state's milk production is under 1%. 2. Milk collection systems already cover 83% of the state's villages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Cooperative dairies' share is under 1%; only 17% of villages have milk collection, and the MoU aims to extend it to the remaining 83%.
Where did APEDA and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh host an International Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet in April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Tawang
Tawang, at the Kalawangpo Convention Hall.
Which GI-tagged rice of Arunachal Pradesh was highlighted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu at the APEDA conclave in Tawang?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Khaw Tai (Khamti) rice
Khaw Tai (Khamti) rice, along with produce such as kiwi and yak cheese (Churpi).
Consider the following statements about the APEDA International Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet at Tawang: 1. It brought together 11 international buyers from 3 countries. 2. It was held at the Kalawangpo Convention Hall. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The meet had 11 buyers from 3 countries, 17 exporters from 7 States/UTs and over 350 farmers, at the Kalawangpo Convention Hall, Tawang.
At the review with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on 10 April 2025, Uttar Pradesh reaffirmed its target of how much solar energy capacity?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 22 GW
22 GW of solar energy capacity, according to MNRE.
Where was the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held on 9 April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal; India was represented by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Consider the following statements about BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meetings (BAMM): 1. The first BAMM was held in Thailand. 2. The second BAMM was held in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The second BAMM was held in India on 10 November 2022; the first was held in Myanmar on 12 July 2019.
The Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) approved in April 2025 is a sub-scheme of:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY); M-CADWM was approved for 2025-26.
What is the initial total outlay approved for M-CADWM for 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹1,600 crore
₹1,600 crore; ₹1,878.31 crore is the Zirakpur bypass and ₹1,332 crore the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi doubling, approved the same day.
Consider the following statements about M-CADWM: 1. Irrigation assets are to be transferred to Water User Societies through Irrigation Management Transfer. 2. The initial approval is for a nationwide rollout in every district from 2025-26. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Assets go to Water User Societies, but the initial approval is for pilot projects through challenge funding to states; a National Plan is to follow from April 2026.
Which state recorded the highest cotton procurement under MSP operations in the 2024-25 season (up to 31 March 2025)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Telangana
Telangana, with 40 lakh bales, followed by Maharashtra (30 lakh) and Gujarat (14 lakh).
Which is the Ministry of Textiles' nodal agency for cotton procurement under MSP?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Cotton Corporation of India
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), which procured 100 lakh bales in 2024-25 up to 31 March 2025.
At which place did the Tamil Nadu government issue an order in April 2025 for a ₹150 crore fishing harbour to help Gulf of Mannar fishermen take up deep-sea fishing?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Thangachimadam
Thangachimadam, near Rameswaram; harbours at Pamban (₹60 crore) and Kundukal (₹150 crore) were also part of the announcement.
About how many beneficiaries are to receive technical training and equipment under Tamil Nadu's ₹52.33 crore seaweed scheme announced in April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 7,000
7,000, for seaweed cultivation, processing, value addition and marketing.
Consider the following statements about the Tamil Nadu fishermen package announced on 7 April 2025: 1. The fishing harbour at Pamban is to be built at a cost of ₹150 crore. 2. ₹100 crore was earmarked for cage culture of fish and mud crab. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The Pamban harbour is to cost ₹60 crore, and ₹25.82 crore was provided for cage culture of fish and mud crab.
At the golden jubilee of IFFCO's Kalol plant in Gandhinagar on 6 April 2025, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of which facility?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Beej Anusandhan Kendra
Beej Anusandhan Kendra, a seed research centre.
Consider the following censuses supported by the Water Resource Census portal launched on 3 April 2025: 1. 7th Minor Irrigation Census 2. 2nd Census of Water Bodies 3. 1st Census of Springs Which of the above are covered?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Jal Shakti): the portal aids the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, the 2nd Census of Water Bodies, the 1st Census of Springs and the 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects. All three listed are covered.
What is the reference year for the censuses run through the Water Resource Census portal launched in April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Agricultural year 2023-24
PIB (Jal Shakti): the reference year is the 2023-24 agricultural year (July 2023 to June 2024) under the Irrigation Census Scheme.
How are the censuses supported by the Water Resource Census portal, launched on 3 April 2025, funded?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme
PIB (Jal Shakti): the census is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with agricultural year 2023-24 as the reference year under the Irrigation Census Scheme.
Under which programme did the CCEA include the Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar on 28 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — PMKSY-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme
The project was included under PMKSY-AIBP of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with ₹3,652.56 crore central support.
The Kosi–Mechi link project approved on 28 March 2025 will divert surplus Kosi water into which river basin in Bihar?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Mahananda
The project diverts part of the Kosi's surplus water to the Mahananda basin, irrigating Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar.
What is the approximate budget requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2025, approved on 28 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹37,216 crore
The Cabinet approved NBS rates for Kharif 2025 with a budget need of about ₹37,216.15 crore.
Under the Kharif 2025 NBS decision of 28 March 2025, freight subsidy was extended for which fertiliser?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Single Super Phosphate (SSP)
The freight subsidy on Single Super Phosphate (SSP) was extended to Kharif 2025.
From 1 April 2025, how often must traders, retailers and processors declare their wheat stocks on the government portal, as directed on 25 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Every Friday
Entities must declare wheat stocks on the portal from 1 April 2025 and then every Friday until further orders.
To which country was the first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Khursani from Sikkim exported, as announced by APEDA on 24 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Solomon Islands
APEDA facilitated the first export of GI-tagged Dalle Khursani from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands, a 200 kg consignment of dried chillies.
Dalle Khursani, the GI-tagged chilli exported from Sikkim in March 2025, is also known by which name?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Fire Ball Chilli
Dalle Khursani is also called Fire Ball Chilli. It is registered on the GI Registry under application no. 636, with its certificate dated 14 September 2021.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 45th Rabi All India Oilseeds Seminar on 23 March 2025 in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Agra
PIB (23 Mar 2025): Om Birla addressed the 45th Rabi All India Oilseeds Seminar, organised by the UP Oil Millers Association in Agra.
From which date did the Centre withdraw the 20% export duty on onions, as notified on 22 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 April 2025
The notification issued on 22 March 2025 made the onion export duty nil with effect from 1 April 2025.
Since when had the 20% export duty on onions, withdrawn in March 2025, been in force?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 13 September 2024
The 20% duty had been in place from 13 September 2024. Exports were prohibited earlier, from 8 December 2023 to 3 May 2024.
What was the estimated rabi onion production for 2025, cited when the onion export duty was withdrawn in March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 227 lakh tonnes
Rabi production was estimated at 227 lakh metric tonnes, over 18% higher than 192 LMT the previous year.
Consider the following statements about the withdrawal of the onion export duty in March 2025: 1. It was done through a notification issued under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. 2. The notification was issued by the Department of Commerce. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Notification No. 19/2025-Customs was issued by the Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance) under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962, on the communication of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
How many new NABL-accredited food testing labs will the Ministry of Food Processing Industries support in 2025-26, as announced on 22 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 100
Ravneet Singh Bittu announced financial support for 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories in 2025-26.
Under which scheme has the Ministry of Food Processing Industries sanctioned 205 food testing laboratory projects, as stated in March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
The labs are part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, which allocated ₹503.47 crore for 205 laboratory projects.
Which CSIR laboratory signed an MoU with HAPICO Industries on 20 March 2025 to develop biopesticides?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, signed the MoU with HAPICO Industries.
What is the total outlay of the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission approved by the Cabinet on 19 March 2025 for 2021-22 to 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹3,400 crore
With an additional ₹1,000 crore, the revised RGM has a total outlay of ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
Under the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (March 2025), what support is given to farmers who take loans to buy high genetic merit IVF heifers?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 3% interest subvention
A 3% interest subvention is provided on loans taken by farmers from milk unions, financial institutions or banks to buy HGM IVF heifers. The 35% assistance is for Heifer Rearing Centres.
Which partner holds the largest equity share in the joint venture for the Namrup-IV ammonia-urea complex approved by the Cabinet on 19 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Government of Assam
The Government of Assam holds 40%, followed by NFL and OIL (18% each), HURL (13%) and BVFCL (11%).
What is the estimated total project cost of the Namrup-IV ammonia-urea complex approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹10,601.40 crore
The estimated total project cost is ₹10,601.40 crore, with a 70:30 debt-equity ratio.
Consider the following statements about the Namrup-IV project approved in March 2025: 1. Oil India Limited holds 18% equity in the joint venture. 2. Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited contributes its 11% equity in cash. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
OIL holds 18% equity. BVFCL's 11% equity is in lieu of tangible assets, not cash, so statement 2 is wrong.
Component B of the revised National Programme for Dairy Development, 'Dairying through Cooperatives', is implemented with the cooperation of which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Japan
Component B continues dairy development through cooperation with the Government of Japan and JICA in nine states.
What is the total budget of the revised National Programme for Dairy Development approved by the Cabinet on 19 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹2,790 crore
The revised NPDD was enhanced by ₹1,000 crore to a total of ₹2,790 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Up to which year did Budget 2025 extend procurement of tur, urad and masur equal to 100% of state production?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2028-29
Budget 2025 announced 100% procurement of tur, urad and masur through central nodal agencies for four more years, up to 2028-29.
How much tur (arhar) did the Centre approve for procurement under PM-AASHA's Price Support Scheme for Kharif 2024-25?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 13.22 LMT
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved 13.22 LMT of tur; 9.40 LMT was for masur, and 1.31 LMT was the quantity procured by 11 March.
Where is the permanent campus of NECTAR, whose foundation stone was laid on 13 March 2025, coming up?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — New Shillong
Dr Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone of NECTAR's permanent campus in New Shillong, Meghalaya.
Under Mission Saffron, large-scale saffron cultivation is underway at Menchukha and Yuksom. These are in which states respectively?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim
Menchukha is in Arunachal Pradesh and Yuksom in Sikkim, as per the Science and Technology Ministry.
Consider the following statements about NECTAR: 1. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). 2. It was established in 2014. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: NECTAR is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology. Statement 2 is correct.
What was the estimated wheat production for 2024-25 in the Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1,154.30 lakh tonnes
Wheat was estimated at a record 1,154.30 LMT, 21.38 LMT above 2023-24's 1,132.92 LMT; 1,206.79 LMT is the kharif rice figure.
Which of the following crops was NOT listed with record production in the Second Advance Estimates for 2024-25?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rapeseed and mustard
Records were reported for kharif rice, wheat, kharif maize, kharif groundnut and soybean; rapeseed and mustard (128.73 LMT) was not marked a record.
Consider the following statements about the Second Advance Estimates of crop production for 2024-25: 1. Kharif rice production was estimated to be higher than wheat production. 2. Yield estimates are based mainly on crop-cutting experiments. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: kharif rice was put at 1,206.79 LMT against wheat at 1,154.30 LMT, and the ministry said yields are based on crop-cutting experiments, past trends and other factors.
In which year did KVIC launch the Honey Mission, under which 2,050 bee boxes were distributed on 8 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2017
KVIC launched the Honey Mission in 2017, inspired by the PM's 2016 call for a 'Sweet Revolution'.
From which place did the Prime Minister call for a 'Sweet Revolution' in 2016, as recalled by the KVIC Chairman in March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Deesa, Banaskantha (Gujarat)
The PM called for a 'Sweet Revolution' alongside the 'White Revolution' from Deesa in Banaskantha, Gujarat, in 2016.
Which challenge was launched at the Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 in Hyderabad on 8 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0
The Department of Fisheries launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0; 10 winning startups will get funding and incubation.
The scheme notified on 7 March 2025 lets cooperative sugar mills convert their ethanol plants to also use which feedstocks?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Maize and damaged food grains
The conversion lets cooperative sugar mills use grains like maize and damaged food grains (DFG), so ethanol can be produced year-round.
Consider the following statements about the scheme for cooperative sugar mills notified on 7 March 2025: 1. Interest subvention is 6% per annum or 50% of the rate of interest charged by banks, whichever is lower. 2. The subvention is for five years, including a one-year moratorium. 3. The scheme was notified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The subvention is 6% a year or 50% of the bank rate, whichever is lower, for five years including a one-year moratorium. The scheme was notified by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, under the modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme.
At his review of the cooperative sector on 6 March 2025, PM Modi stressed integrating UPI with which card to ease financial transactions?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — RuPay Kisan Credit Card
The PM highlighted the importance of integrating UPI with RuPay KCC cards.
As briefed to the PM on 6 March 2025, how many initiatives has the Ministry of Cooperation taken since its creation, and across how many areas?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 60 initiatives across 7 areas
The Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken 60 initiatives across seven key areas, including computerisation of cooperatives.
The E-Tiller inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh in Jammu on 6 March 2025 was developed by which CSIR laboratory?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur
The E-Tiller was developed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur; it was inaugurated at the CSIR-IIIM Chatha farm.
What is the total outlay of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme approved on 5 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹3,880 crore
The revised LHDCP has an outlay of ₹3,880 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Which new component was added to the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme in March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Pashu Aushadhi
Pashu Aushadhi, for affordable generic veterinary medicines, is the new component, with ₹75 crore.
Under the revised LHDCP, generic veterinary medicines under Pashu Aushadhi will be made available through which network?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies
Pashu Aushadhi medicines will be supplied through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies.
Consider the following about the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (March 2025): 1. Its three components are NADCP, LH&DC and Pashu Aushadhi. 2. Mobile Veterinary Units are covered under the ESVHD-MVU sub-component of LH&DC. 3. Its outlay covers the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the ₹3,880 crore outlay approved in March 2025 is for two years, 2024-25 and 2025-26.
At the dairy sustainability workshop on 3 March 2025, Amit Shah said White Revolution 2.0 should aim for milk unions in what share of India's districts?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 80%
He said the target should be a state-level union in every state and UT and milk unions in 80% of the country's districts.