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Read this question in English
Describe the various Technology Missions initiated in Indian agriculture and examine their role in food security.
ЁЯзн How to think about this question ┬╖ directive: тАЬdescribe / examineтАЭ
Decode the demand
- Two directives, two parts: 'describe' the various technology missions (names, dates, crops, what each bundled) and 'examine' their role in food security (gains, gaps, a verdict). Both need their own heading.
- The idea in one line: a technology mission is a time-bound, single-crop drive that joins research, seed, inputs, extension and markets under one command; keep each description to that pattern.
- The trap: listing missions as a chronology and stopping. The examiner wants the link to food security: availability, stability, nutrition and self-reliance, each with a number.
- Carry data: record foodgrain output, the edible-oil import share, outlay and target of the newest missions.
Think in a structure
- Open with the definition and a paradox: record grain, yet imported oil. That paradox is the 'examine' part in seed form.
- Describe as a timeline from 1986 to 2025, one crisp point per mission with its distinctive feature; examine with a table that maps each food-security pillar to a mission and its result, then points on gains and gaps.
- End positively: three measures a policymaker can act on, with the pulses mission's assured procurement as the model, then an SDG anchor.
Facts checked at source (5)┬╖ open
- NMEOтАУOilseeds runs for seven years (2024-25 to 2030-31) with an outlay of тВ╣10,103 crore.PIB тАФ Cabinet approves NMEO-Oilseeds (3 October 2024) тЖЧтАЬThe Mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.тАЭ
- Foodgrain production reached a record 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25 (Final Estimates), up from 332.30 million tonnes in 2023-24.PIB тАФ Record foodgrain output breaks all previous highs (Final Estimates 2024-25) тЖЧтАЬFoodgrain production rises to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25, up from 332.30 million tonnes in 2023-24тАЭ
- Imports meet 57% of India's domestic demand for edible oils (background to NMEO-Oilseeds, 2024).PIB тАФ Cabinet approves National Mission on Edible OilsтАУOilseeds (October 2024) тЖЧтАЬThe country is heavily reliant on imports which account for 57% of its domestic demand for edible oils.тАЭ
- The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (approved 1 October 2025) carries тВ╣11,440 crore and targets 350 lakh tonnes of pulses by 2030-31.PMO тАФ Union Cabinet approves Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses for 2025-26 to 2030-31 тЖЧтАЬPulses Mission to drive production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31 Rs.11,440 crore investment push to achieve self-sufficiency in pulsesтАЭ
- The pulses mission assures procurement of tur, urad and masoor under PM-AASHA's Price Support Scheme through NAFED and NCCF.PMO тАФ Union Cabinet approves Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses for 2025-26 to 2030-31 тЖЧтАЬA major feature of the Mission will be assured maximum procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor under Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA. NAFED and NCCF will undertake 100% procurement in participating states for the next four yearsтАЭ
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2026, GS Paper III тАФ paper тЖЧ. Guidance: Minimalist IAS, checked 8 Nov 2026 (how we verify). ┬╖
Model answer┬╖ 352words ┬╖ Minimalist IAS
A technology mission is a time-bound, single-crop drive that bundles research, seed, inputs, extension and markets under one command. Foodgrain output touched a record 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25, yet imports still meet 57% of edible-oil demand (PIB), so the missions' record on food security is mixed.
The Technology Missions initiated in Indian agriculture
- 1986: Oilseeds
- 2000: Cotton
- 2001-02: North-East Horticulture
- 2007: NFSM
- 2021-25: NMEO-Oil Palm, NMEO-Oilseeds, Pulses Mission
- Oilseeds (1986): the first of the Pitroda-era missions; pulses, oil palm and maize joined later, driving the Yellow Revolution and near self-sufficiency by the 1990s.
- Cotton (2000): four mini-missions on research, extension, market yards and ginning modernised fibre quality and raised yields.
- Horticulture (2001-02): the North-East mission grew into MIDH (2014), covering fruits, vegetables, spices and post-harvest chains.
- NFSM (2007): area expansion and productivity in rice, wheat, pulses and later coarse cereals through demonstrations and seed subsidy.
- New generation: NMEO-Oilseeds (2024, тВ╣10,103 crore, 2024-25 to 2030-31) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025, тВ╣11,440 crore, 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31).
The full answer goes on to cover
- Their role in food security
- Way forward
With 1 table you can reproduce in the exam.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) ┬╖ facts checked against official sources (how we verify) ┬╖ updated 8 Nov 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.







