UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 46
Consider the following statements :
- expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
- enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
- checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: The three items refer to the nationwide Soil Health Card Scheme. Its key purpose is soil testing and balanced fertiliser recommendations, rather than irrigation construction or determining farm credit.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Expanding irrigated cultivable area is the purpose of irrigation programmes, not soil health cards.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - Banks’ agricultural loan assessments are not the designated purpose of soil quality cards.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Crop-wise soil nutrient information supports appropriate fertiliser dosing and reduces excess usage.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 2; omits correct statement/item 3.
B: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 2.
Review Note: Source CSV question text omits the introductory “The nation-wide Soil Health Card Scheme aims at” clause; add it to the question before publication (original text preserved in this export).