Food Processing (Agriculture).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Economic & Social Development; Mains GS3
Food processing for UPSC: importance and level of processing in India, upstream and downstream gaps, mega food parks, PMKSY, PLISFPI, PMFME and…
On 17 October 2026 FSSAI explained draft limits for two insecticides in tea: 20 ppm for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid. The draft, published in the Gazette on 16 October, amends the rules on contaminants, toxins and residues. India’s proposed acetamiprid limit is lower than Japan’s 30 ppm and the USA’s 50 ppm.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MRL, neonicotinoids, Insecticides Act 1968, FSS Act 2006. · Mains GS-III: pesticide regulation and food safety.
17 Oct 2026
A PIB Backgrounder of 19 August 2026 traces makhana's rise from a Bihar wetland crop to a global superfood. India is the largest producer, with 80,590 tonnes in 2025-26 as per second advance estimates. A National Makhana Board was launched in Bihar in September 2025, and a ₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme runs from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
UPSC angle: Prelims: makhana facts.
19 Aug 2026
The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted three global standards, for large cardamom, coriander and vanilla, at its 49th session (CAC49) in Geneva from 6 to 10 July 2026, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 July. They were finalised by the India-hosted Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs. India will also co-chair a new working group.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Codex.
16 Jul 2026
The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme has sanctioned loans to more than two lakh micro food processing enterprises, MoFPI said on 11 July 2026. Project investment exceeds ₹20,300 crore. Nearly 90% of beneficiaries are first-generation entrepreneurs and 44% are women; the scheme has created nearly 11 lakh jobs.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PMFME.
11 Jul 2026
A PIB backgrounder says India accounts for over 70% of global jaggery production and diverts nearly 20 to 30% of cane to jaggery, supporting about 2.5 million livelihoods. Cane output in 2024-25 was about 444.9 MT, with Uttar Pradesh at 48.5%. Exports rose to USD 406.8 million in 2024-25 from USD 197 million in 2015-16.
UPSC angle: Prelims: jaggery facts.
16 May 2026
The Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) has an outlay of ₹10,900 crore for 2021-22 to 2026-27. As of February 2026, 165 applications (274 project locations) were approved, ₹2,162.55 crore incentives paid, and about 3.39 lakh jobs created against a 2.5 lakh target. A millet-based PLI component of ₹800 crore was carved out in FY 2022-23.
UPSC angle: Prelims: food processing schemes.
21 Apr 2026