With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements : 1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop. 2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. 3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (a)
• Statement 1 is correct: black gram (urad) is grown in kharif across India and as a rabi/summer crop in the south and in rice fallows.
• Statement 2 is wrong: chickpea (gram/chana), not green gram, accounts for nearly half of India's pulse output; moong is under 10%.
• Statement 3 is wrong: rabi pulse production (chickpea, lentil) has grown strongly over three decades, outpacing kharif pulses.
• India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statements 2 and 3 are wrong: chana dominates and rabi pulses grew.
- (c) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: chickpea, not green gram, is the largest.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statements 2 and 3 are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.