In India, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by States
Agricultural marketing is a State subject. Markets in farm produce are regulated under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Acts that each State enacts. These Acts set up regulated markets (mandis) where notified produce is bought and sold. The other options deal with supply control, quality grading and food product standards, not with regulating markets.
- ✗ (a) The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 is a Central law. It lets the government control the production, supply and distribution of notified essential goods. It does not set up or regulate agricultural markets.
- ✓ (b) The Economic Survey 2014-15 states that markets in agricultural products are regulated under the APMC Act enacted by State Governments. These State Acts establish regulated markets for notified farm produce. Amending them is up to the States because agricultural marketing is a State subject.
- ✗ (c) The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 provides for grading and quality marking (AGMARK) of produce. It does not regulate markets.
- ✗ (d) These are orders about processed food products and their standards. They are not the laws under which agricultural markets are regulated.
Remember · Agricultural marketing is a State subject. Mandis are regulated under State APMC Acts, not Central laws like the Essential Commodities Act or the AGMARK Act.
Sources
- Economic Survey 2014-15, Vol. 1, Ch. 8: A National Market for Agricultural Commodities ↗ “Presently, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act enacted by State Governments.”
- PIB: Recommendations of the State Ministers' Committee on Agricultural Marketing Reforms ↗ “The onus for bringing relevant amendments in the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Acts lies with the Governments of States and Union Territories as agri marketing is a State subject.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
