UPSC Prelims 2002 Q52: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
Consider the following high yielding varieties of crops in India:
1. Arjun
2. Jaya
3. Padma
4. Sonalika
Which of these are wheat?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 1 and 4
- (d) 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1 and 4
Explanation
High yielding varieties that are wheat
| Variety | Crop |
|---|---|
| Arjun | Wheat |
| Sonalika | Wheat (a Green Revolution variety) |
| Jaya | Rice (semi-dwarf, 1968) |
| Padma | Rice |
Of the four, Arjun and Sonalika are wheat varieties, while Jaya and Padma are rice varieties. So the high yielding varieties that are wheat are 1 and 4.
Answer: (c) 1 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Jaya is a rice variety.
- (b) Incorrect. Jaya and Padma are both rice varieties.
- (c) CORRECT. Arjun and Sonalika are wheat varieties.
- (d) Incorrect. Padma is a rice variety.
Key point
HYVs: wheat - Sonalika, Kalyan Sona, Arjun, Lerma Rojo; rice - IR-8, Jaya, Padma, Ratna.
Remember
Wheat: Arjun, Sonalika. Rice: Jaya, Padma.
Common mistakes
- Mixing Jaya with wheat because of Green Revolution fame.
- Assuming every high yielding variety name belongs to wheat.
- Not remembering that Sonalika is a wheat variety.
Exam tip
Sonalika is the surest wheat name; only option (c) holds it with another wheat variety.
Sources
- ICAR — HYV list
- NCERT Class XII — India: People and Economy