Agriculture (Indian Economy).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Economic & Social Development; Mains GS3
Pulses and edible oil missions for UPSC: import dependence, Pulses Mission 2025-31, NMEO-Oilseeds and Oil Palm, targets, challenges and way forward.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for UPSC: aims, 100 district selection, convergence of 36 schemes, outlay, monitoring, issues and way forward, with PYQs.
Agricultural marketing for UPSC: APMC mandis and their problems, model Acts, e-NAM, FPOs, warehouse receipts, the 2020 farm laws and the way…
MSP for UPSC: crops covered, CACP cost concepts, the 1.5 times rule, FCI procurement, PM-AASHA, Shanta Kumar report and the legal MSP…
Land reforms for UPSC: colonial tenures, zamindari abolition, tenancy reform, ceiling laws, Operation Barga, Bhoodan, consolidation, DILRMP, SVAMITVA and PYQs.
Food security for UPSC: availability, access, absorption, NFSA 2013 entitlements, TPDS and One Nation One Ration Card, PMGKAY, buffer stocks, nutrition, PYQs.
A PIB backgrounder of 18 October 2026 puts the spotlight on Kufri Jamunia, a purple-fleshed potato bred by ICAR’s Central Potato Research Institute and released in 2024. It has nearly twice the Vitamin C of a common potato and several times more zinc and iron, along with antioxidants called anthocyanins. The idea is clever: instead of asking people to change what they eat, make the food they already eat more nutritious. That is biofortification.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Kufri Jamunia, CPRI, anthocyanins, biofortification vs fortification. · Mains GS-III: nutrition security; GS-II: hunger.
18 Oct 2026
The oil marketing companies have kept sugar out of India’s ethanol programme for the coming year. The tender issued on 16 October 2026 seeks about 11 billion litres of ethanol for the 2026-27 supply year, but asks for none made from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup or B-heavy molasses, because the Government wants sugar diversion for ethanol cut to zero. Grain must now carry the load, and even the maize incentive has been cut. Read this as a live example of the food-versus-fuel trade-off.
UPSC angle: Prelims: E20, NPB 2018, molasses grades, feedstocks. · Mains GS-III: energy security vs food security; farm incomes.
18 Oct 2026
On 17 October 2026 Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed preparations for the Khet Bachao Abhiyan with agriculture ministers of 11 States and UTs. The campaign runs from 22 October to 30 November 2026. About 4,150 teams of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and ATMA staff, with over 12,000 scientists and officials, plan around 1.5 lakh meetings with farmers on soil health, crop residue, balanced fertiliser use and key schemes.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Khet Bachao Abhiyan dates, KVK, ATMA, Soil Health Card. · Mains GS-III: agricultural extension and sustainable farming.
17 Oct 2026
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
On 14 October 2026 the Centre approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement. India, a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party since 2022, will become a full Contracting Party. Indian vessels can then fish squids, toothfish, alfonsino and other non-migratory stocks in the SIOFA area and join its scientific and compliance bodies.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SIOFA vs IOTC, India's status, species, UNCLOS references. · Mains GS-III: blue economy and fisheries; GS-II: international agreements.
14 Oct 2026
Wholesale Price Index inflation (base 2022-23) rose to 11.39% in September 2026, provisional, from 9.92% in August. Fuel and Power led at 25.85%, with mineral oils at 40.02%. Primary Articles rose 8.67%, Manufactured Products 9.76% and the WPI Food Index 8.66%. July's final figure stayed at 9.78%.
UPSC angle: Prelims: base year, group weights, monthly figures, release schedule. · Mains GS-III: inflation, its causes and control.
14 Oct 2026