UPSC Editorials Quiz : 11 June 2025

Solution: b)

• Option (a) is incorrect. Dugongs are herbivores, not apex predators. Their diet consists almost exclusively of seagrass.
• Option (b) is correct. Dugongs are “gardeners of the sea.” This is because their primary activity of grazing on seagrass helps maintain healthy seagrass beds. This role is vital for biodiversity and coastal ecosystem stability.
• Option (c) is incorrect. Dugongs feed on seagrass, not coral reefs. Their feeding mechanism is adapted for grazing on marine vegetation found on the seabed.
• Option (d) is incorrect. Dugongs are not filter-feeders; they are large herbivorous mammals that actively graze on seagrass. Filter-feeding is a method used by other marine animals like baleen whales and shellfish.

Solution: a)

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a major intra-seasonal atmospheric phenomenon that influences tropical and even global weather patterns, including the Indian monsoon. It is characterized by an eastward-moving pulse of cloud and rainfall near the equator that typically recurs every 30 to 60 days.

The MJO consists of two parts, or phases: one is the enhanced rainfall (or convective) phase and the other is the suppressed rainfall phase. Strong MJO activity often dissects the planet into halves: one half within the enhanced convective phase and the other half in the suppressed convective phase.

• Statement 1 is correct. This phase is defined by increased rainfall, as rising moist air leads to significant precipitation.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Sinking dry air is characteristic of the suppressed convective phase, which follows the enhanced phase. This sinking air inhibits cloud development and leads to clearer skies and reduced rainfall.
• Statement 3 is correct. The enhanced phase involves greater cloud formation due to rising air (convection) and moisture convergence in the tropics.
• Statement 4 is incorrect. The active phase of the MJO over the Indian Ocean is known to boost or trigger cyclogenesis (the formation of tropical cyclones), not suppress it. Suppressed conditions would hinder cyclone development.

Solution: b)

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While meeting domestic demand is important, a significant component of the mission’s success is its contribution to exports. In FY 2024–25, honey exports under KVIC touched ₹25 crore, and India is among the top 10 honey exporters. This shows a clear focus on both domestic and international markets.
• Statement 2 is correct. More than 50,000 beekeepers have been trained through CBRTI, Pune, in modern apiculture techniques. This identifies CBRTI as the principal training centre for the mission.
• Statement 3 is correct. The mission employs a holistic model. It doesn’t just focus on production but supports the entire value chain, which includes setting up processing plants, marketing support, and providing digital access for sales, with a specific example of enabling beekeepers to sell their products on the GeM portal.

Solution: c)

• The determination of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India follows a two-tier process.
• The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), an expert body, is entrusted with the primary responsibility of undertaking comprehensive studies of production costs, market trends, and other relevant factors to recommend MSP levels for various crops. The CACP’s recommendations are then submitted to the government.
• The final decision-making authority rests with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, which considers the CACP’s report and approves the final MSPs.

About Minimum Support Prices (MSP):

• What is MSP?
  • MSP is the minimum guaranteed price offered by the government to farmers for their crops, even if market prices fall. It protects farmers from distress sales and ensures income stability.
• Who Determines It?
  • MSP is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
• When was MSP Introduced?
  • First introduced in 1966–67 during the Green Revolution, primarily for wheat and paddy.
• MSP Calculation Method
  • A2+FL Formula:
    • A2 = Paid-out costs (labour, seeds, irrigation, etc.)
    • FL = Imputed value of family labour
  • Margin: Government ensures 50% or more margin over production costs.
• Crops Covered Under MSP
  • Kharif Crops:
    • Cereals: Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Maize
    • Pulses: Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad
    • Oilseeds: Groundnut, Sunflower, Soyabean, Sesamum, Niger-seed
    • Commercial: Cotton
  • Rabi Crops:
    • Wheat, Barley, Gram, Lentil (Masur), Rapeseed & Mustard, Safflower
  • Commercial Crops:
    • Copra, Jute and Toria and De-husked Coconut also covered under related MSPs.
  • Key Features of MSP:
    • Announced Twice Yearly: Declared before the Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons to guide farmers’ planting decisions.
    • Prevents Exploitation: Ensures a minimum guaranteed price to protect farmers from market volatility and distress sales.
    • Encourages Crop Diversification: Offers higher MSPs for pulses and oilseeds to shift focus from water-intensive cereals.
    • Budget 2018–19 Mandate: MSP fixed at 5 times the cost of production (A2+FL) to ensure fair profits for farmers.
    • Promotes Nutritional Crops: Higher MSP for millets and Shree Anna supports healthier diets and climate-resilient farming.

Solution: a)

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) is a Central Sector Scheme. This means it is 100% funded by the Union Government, and states are not required to contribute financially.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: While the scheme is primarily implemented through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for crop loans, its scope extends beyond just crops. It also covers short-term working capital for allied activities such as animal husbandry and fisheries, with loans up to ₹2 lakh for these sectors. Therefore, it is not exclusively for crop loans.
• Statement 3 is correct: Under the scheme, farmers can avail short-term loans up to ₹3 lakh at a concessional rate of 7%. A key feature to encourage financial discipline is the Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) of 3%, which is provided as an additional interest subvention to farmers who repay their loans on time, effectively reducing their interest rate to 4%.

About Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS):

• What is MISS?
  • MISS is a central sector scheme that offers concessional short-term crop loans to farmers via the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) at reduced interest rates, incentivizing timely repayment.
• Launched In: Originally introduced in 2006–07 to improve credit availability and reduce rural indebtedness.
• Implementing Agencies: Jointly implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NABARD through Public Sector Banks, RRBs, Cooperative Banks, and Private Sector Banks.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
• Objectives of MISS:

• • Enhance credit flow to agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Provide short-term working capital for farming, dairy, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
  • Reduce borrowing costs for small and marginal farmers.
  • Encourage prompt repayment through interest incentives.
  • Offer financial relief during natural calamities.

• Key Features of MISS (2025–26):

• • Subsidised Interest Rate:
    • Farmers get loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7% interest.
    • An interest subvention of 1.5% is given to lending institutions.
    • Prompt repayment incentive (PRI) of 3% lowers the effective rate to 4%.
  • Sectoral Coverage: Applicable to crop loans, animal husbandry, and fisheries (up to ₹2 lakh).
  • Loan Limit Enhancement: Under Budget 2025–26, limit proposed to be raised to ₹5 lakh for expanding agri-needs.
  • Calamity Support: 2% subvention on restructured loans in the event of natural disasters.
  • Massive Outreach: Covers over 7.75 crore KCC accounts nationwide, fostering rural credit inclusion.
  • Digital Reforms: Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) launched in 2023 for fast and transparent claim processing.