Ministry Of Agriculture Farmers Welfare
Official policy releases, schemes, circulars, and Prelims practice questions from Ministry Of Agriculture Farmers Welfare distilled for UPSC Civil Services Examination.
🎯 Ministry Of Agriculture Farmers Welfare UPSC Practice Questions
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
By March 2026, how many Soil Health Cards had been issued under the regenerative agriculture initiatives in India?
- [A] 20 crore
- [B] 25.89 crore
- [C] 30 crore
- [D] 35 crore
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
The PIB backgrounder states that 25.89 crore Soil Health Cards were issued by March 2026, making option B correct. The other figures are not mentioned in the notification.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the 53rd PRAGATI meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, consider the following statements regarding its key focus areas: 1. Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, the review of AgriStack emphasized leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies across the agricultural value chain for data-driven decision-making. 2. In addressing cyber fraud and 'digital arrest' cases, the review stressed enhanced prevention through continuous awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable groups alongside regular training for personnel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct based on the official briefing of the 53rd PRAGATI meeting. The review of AgriStack under the Digital Agriculture Mission focused on using AI and digital tech for agricultural data utilization, and the session on cyber fraud emphasized awareness campaigns, training, and coordinated action against digital arrests.
Official Policy Notifications & Dossiers
5 Briefs-
PIB
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan from Karnal to safeguard farmland and human life
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan launched the nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (October 22 – November 30, 2026) from Taraori, Haryana, urging farmers to adopt Soil Health Cards, balanced fertilization, and natural farming formulations like Bijamrit and Ghan Jeevamrit.
- To counter soil degradation and optimize the annual fertilizer subsidy outlay exceeding ₹1.5 lakh crore, the government stressed crop diversification, stopping stubble burning, and transitioning to Green Ammonia for fertilizer self-reliance.
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PIB
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to Launch 40-Day Nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan in Haryana on October 22
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan will launch the 40-day nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from Taraori in Karnal, Haryana on October 22, focusing on soil health, balanced fertilizers, and stubble management.
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PRS
Changes in Agricultural Marketing laws across states
- Agriculture is a subject under the State List of the Constitution, with agricultural marketing in most states regulated by APMCs established under state legislation.
- The central government released the model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2017, with the 15th Finance Commission recommending financial incentives for adopting states.
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PRS
Assam’s new cattle preservation law
- The Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021, which prohibits the slaughter of cows of all ages and allows the slaughter of bulls or bullocks only if they are over 14 years old or permanently incapacitated.
- The Bill permits inter‑state and intra‑state transport of cattle only for agricultural or animal‑husbandry purposes with a permit, and restricts transport through Assam unless such a permit is obtained.
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THE HINDU
Testing times: On India’s GDP growth data - The Hindu
- The provisional estimates of India's GDP growth for 2025-26 have been pegged at 7.7%, marginally higher than the 7.6% predicted by the government in February.
- The growth in key sectors such as manufacturing and several services sectors was double-digit, while private final consumption expenditure and gross fixed capital formation grew faster in 2025-26 than the previous year.