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General Studies 2026 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper III — Q14

Discuss the different types of subsidies and supports provided by the Government of India to agricultural sector. Examine the…

Discuss the different types of subsidies and supports provided by the Government of India to agricultural sector. Examine the related issues pertaining to Agreement on Agriculture of World Trade Organisation (WTO). (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत सरकार द्वारा कृषि क्षेत्र में प्रदान किए जाने वाले विभिन्न प्रकार के अनुदानों एवं सहायता की विवेचना कीजिए। विश्व व्यापार संगठन (डब्ल्यू टी ओ) के कृषि समझौते से संबंधित मुद्दों का परीक्षण कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q14 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

India supports agriculture through input, price, credit and risk measures. Input support includes the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for fertilisers, and power and irrigation subsidies that cut pumping and water costs. Price and income support rests on Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement under the PM-AASHA umbrella, where the government buys notified crops at MSP and holds public stocks. Credit and insurance support comprises interest subvention on Kisan Credit Card loans and premium subsidy under PM Fasal Bima Yojana.

WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture classifies support into Amber Box, trade-distorting support; Blue Box, payments under production-limiting programmes; and Green Box, non-distorting support. Developing countries also have a 10% de minimis ceiling, applied product-specifically at 10% of the value of production of that product, and non-product-specifically at 10% of total agricultural production.

The key issue is that India’s MSP-based public stockholding, if valued at market prices, may exceed its Amber Box commitment and be treated as trade-distorting. In Amber Box breach disputes, it has been temporarily shielded by the 2013 Bali Peace Clause, which suspends challenges to public stockholding for food security if financed at administrative cost. Yet this is not a permanent fix. India, through the G-33 coalition, seeks a permanent solution recognising public stockholding for food security within the AoA, while balancing WTO obligations, fiscal costs, farmer income and food security.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Situation > Analysis > Measures > Assessment. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise mapping of Indian schemes to WTO boxes with clear legal reasoning.

Key points expected

  • Categorize subsidies (input, credit, MSP, insurance)
  • Define WTO AoA 'Amber Box' and 'Blue Box' limits
  • Link MSP to 'Blue Box' (price support) status
  • Identify 'de minimis' exemption for developing nations

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Map Indian agri subsidies and analyze their compliance with WTO AoA. 15 marks · 250 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • Categorize subsidies (input, credit, MSP, insurance)
    • Define WTO AoA 'Amber Box' and 'Blue Box' limits
    • Link MSP to 'Blue Box' (price support) status
    • Identify 'de minimis' exemption for developing nations

    Loses marks

    • Treating MSP as a 'Green Box' measure
    • Ignoring the 'de minimis' developing country clause
    • Vague listing of schemes without WTO classification

    Earns more

    • Mention 'Green Box' (R&D, infrastructure) support
    • Reference 'Peace Clause' for trade disputes
    • Cite 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund' (AIF) as support
    • Mention 'PM-KISAN' as direct income support

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific 'Amber Box' cap percentage (5% for developing)
    • Mention 'NAMA' (Non-Agricultural Market Access) linkage

Practice this exact question

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