Consider the following statements : The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at 1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation. 2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality. 3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Soil Health Card Scheme (2015) tests each farm's soil for 12 parameters (N, P, K, S, micronutrients, pH, EC, organic carbon) and gives crop-wise fertiliser recommendations.
• Its aim is to promote balanced, need-based nutrient use and check the overuse of fertilisers, improving soil health and cutting costs (statement 3).
• It has nothing to do with expanding irrigation (1) or bank loan assessment (2).
• Hence 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Neither irrigation expansion nor loan assessment is an aim.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Loan assessment is not an aim of the scheme.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statements 1 and 2 are not aims.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.