Question 1

India is the largest exporter of pulses globally because it is the largest producer.

Accepted Answer

India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses, but it historically remains a massive net importer (importing over 70 lakh tonnes recently) to meet domestic demand.

Question 2

The new mission guarantees 100 percent procurement for all types of pulses indefinitely.

Accepted Answer

The 100 percent MSP procurement guarantee is strictly limited to Tur (arhar), Urad, and Masoor, and is only valid for the first four years of the mission.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses':
1. It aims to achieve a total domestic pulse production of 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.
2. The mission guarantees 100 percent MSP procurement for all pulse crops indefinitely through NAFED and NCCF.
3. The area expansion strategy heavily relies on bringing rice fallow lands under pulse cultivation.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is correct; the target is 350 lakh tonnes (35 MMT) by 2030-31. Statement 3 is correct; targeting rice fallows for an additional 35 lakh hectares is a key component. Statement 2 is incorrect; the 100 percent procurement guarantee applies ONLY to Tur, Urad, and Masoor, and is limited to a four-year period, not indefinitely for all pulses.

Question 4

Match the following components of the 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' (List I) with their corresponding targets or mechanisms (List II):

List I (Component)
1. Post-Harvest Infrastructure
2. Breeder Seed Supervision
3. Cultivation Area Expansion
4. Guaranteed Procurement Agencies

List II (Mechanism/Target)
A. NAFED and NCCF
B. 310 lakh hectares
C. ICAR and SATHI Portal
D. 1,000 units with up to Rs 25 lakh subsidy

Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A — 1 matches D (1,000 processing/packaging units get up to Rs 25 lakh subsidy). 2 matches C (Breeder seed production is supervised by ICAR and monitored via the SATHI portal). 3 matches B (Total cultivation area target is 310 lakh hectares). 4 matches A (NAFED and NCCF are the agencies conducting the 100 percent procurement under PM-AASHA).

Question 5

Assertion (A): The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' places a strong emphasis on utilizing rice fallow lands for pulse cultivation.
Reason (R): Pulses are leguminous crops that fix atmospheric nitrogen, helping restore the soil fertility of lands depleted by intensive, water-heavy rice cultivation.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — A is true, as the mission explicitly targets an additional 35 lakh hectares, largely from rice fallows. R is true and perfectly explains A. Because rice cultivation depletes soil nutrients, planting nitrogen-fixing leguminous pulses in the fallow period restores soil health, promoting sustainable crop diversification.

Launch of Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

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