UPSC Mains 2023 GS1 Q17: model answer
From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons.
What the question wants
Reasons for India's shift from food imports (PL-480) to food exports.
How to structure it
Intro: 1960s: droughts of 1965–66, PL-480 wheat imports, 'ship to mouth'. Body: (1) Green Revolution: HYV seeds, fertilisers, irrigation; (2) Institutions: MSP, FCI, APMC; (3) Research: ICAR, agricultural universities; (4) White, Blue and Yellow revolutions; (5) Infrastructure and credit; (6) Liberalisation and export policy: APEDA, rice and marine exports; (7) Diversification. Conclusion: challenges: soil, water, climate; sustainability.
- 1(1) Green Revolution: HYV seeds, fertilisers, irrigation
- 2(2) Institutions: MSP, FCI, APMC
- 3(3) Research: ICAR, agricultural universities
- 4(4) White, Blue and Yellow revolutions
- 5(5) Infrastructure and credit
- 6(6) Liberalisation and export policy: APEDA, rice and marine exports
- 7(7) Diversification
Model answer
In the mid-1960s, after the droughts of 1965 and 1966, India depended on US wheat under PL-480 and lived 'ship to mouth'. Today it is the world's largest rice exporter and a major exporter of marine products, spices and buffalo meat.
- 1965–66Droughts; PL-480 wheat imports
- 1965MSP and FCI set up
- Late 1960sGreen Revolution: HYV wheat and rice
- 1970–96Operation Flood
- 1991 onLiberalisation; export promotion
- 2010sLargest rice exporter
Reasons for the turnaround
- Green Revolution: high-yielding wheat and rice varieties from the mid-1960s, with fertilisers and irrigation, multiplied output in Punjab, Haryana and western UP.
- Price support and procurement: MSP and the Food Corporation of India (both 1965) gave farmers assured prices.
- Research and extension: ICAR, State agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
- Irrigation and power: canals, tube-wells and rural electrification.
- Other revolutions: Operation Flood made India the largest milk producer; the Blue Revolution raised fish output; the Yellow Revolution boosted oilseeds.
- Credit and inputs: nationalised banks, NABARD and subsidised fertiliser.
- Liberalisation: after 1991 and the WTO, export restrictions eased; APEDA and MPEDA promoted exports.
- Diversification: horticulture output now exceeds foodgrains.
Caveats
- Malnutrition persists despite surplus.
- Groundwater depletion and soil damage in Green Revolution areas.
- India still imports edible oils and pulses.
- Frequent export bans (as on non-basmati rice in 2023) show volatility.
Sustaining this success needs climate-resilient, water-saving and diversified farming.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
PL-480 Green Revolution MSP FCI Operation Flood APEDA
Where most answers lose marks
- Ignoring post-1991 trade reforms.
- No caveats.
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17 Oct 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-I-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.