Discuss the different types of subsidies and supports provided by the Government of India to agricultural sector. Examine the related issues pertaining to Agreement on Agriculture of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Theme

T141 Farm subsidies, MSP & crop insurance (incl. WTO Agreement on Agriculture)

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions repeat on direct and indirect farm subsidies and WTO's Agreement on Agriculture, distortions, subsidies' effect on cropping, MSP and the low-income trap, and crop insurance (PMFBY).

What to cover

• Types of subsidies: input, price, credit
• AoA boxes: amber, blue, green; de minimis
• MSP: CACP, procurement concentration
• PMFBY features and issues

Writing the answer

• Link domestic policy with WTO obligations

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.