Economy · X-Factor Notes
Agriculture and Allied Sector revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Importance of Agriculture | Indicated by its contribution to National Income and Employment, Industrial Development, International Trade, and the supply of Foodgrains. | UPPCS (Pre) 2007 |
| Agricultural Workforce (India) | According to the 2011 Census, about 55% of the total workforce is associated with the agriculture sector. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012 |
| Agricultural Workforce (Uttar Pradesh) | In Uttar Pradesh, the highest percentage (59.3%) of workers are engaged in the agriculture sector (as per 2011 Census). | UPPCS (Mains) 2012 |
| Share of Agriculture in GVA/GDP | In 2024, agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed about 16.0% to India's GDP/GVA. This share has been steadily declining due to higher growth in non-agricultural sectors. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013, UPPCS (Pre) 1996, 1998, UPPCS (Mains) 2012 |
| GDP Growth Driver (2013-14) | India’s agriculture and allied sector is currently experiencing robust growth, marking 4.6% for FY 2024-25. Drivers: sustainability and technology-driven innovations | |
| Negative Growth Years (Agriculture Sector) | Agriculture and allied sectors showed negative growth in 2002-03 (-4.4%) and 2008-09 (-0.6%). Also negative in 1997-98 (-0.9%) and during the Third Five Year Plan (1961-66) (-1.0%). | UPPCS (Pre) 2017, 2014, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998, UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
| Agricultural Growth during COVID-19 | Agriculture was the only sector that showed positive growth during the COVID-19 period. | |
| Disguised Unemployment | It is the main characteristic of the Agricultural sector in rural areas in India. It generally means that the marginal productivity of labour is zero. | UPPCS (Mains) 2017, 2006, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
| Low Productivity Reason | Co-operative farming is NOT a reason for low productivity in Indian agriculture; it actually leads to better productivity. Other reasons include population pressure, small land holdings, and disguised unemployment. | UPPCS (Pre) 2007, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002 |
| Agricultural Households | NSSO 77th Round (2019) Situation Assessment Survey, Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of agricultural households (54%) amongst its rural households in India. 59.3% of its population is engaged in agriculture. | U.P. P.C.S (Mains) 2016 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Land Reforms Measures | Include Abolition of Intermediaries (Zamindari system), Tenancy reforms (regulation of rent, security of tenure, conferment of ownership), and Ceiling on land holdings. Multiple-cropping scheme is NOT a part of land reforms. | UPPCS (Mains) 2017, UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 |
| Marginal Landholdings Size | Defined as less than 1 hectare. Other Landholding Size Classifications: Small: 1 to 2 hectares |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Red Soil Peculiarities | Denotes the second largest soil group of India. It surrounds the black soil in the south, east, and north directions. Alluvial > Red(18.5%) > Black (15%) > Laterite | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
| Laterite Soil Peculiarities | Characterized by high temperature and heavy rainfall. It is rich in iron oxide and aluminium, not poor in them. | UPPSC Pre-2023 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| NABARD | Apex bank for providing agricultural refinance in India. Set up in 1982. Provides refinance for agriculture and rural development. The largest institution for agricultural finance and refinance. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003, 2014, U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016, UPPCS (Pre) 2020 |
| Largest Source of Agricultural Credit | Commercial Banks account for the largest share in total institutional credit flow to agriculture (about 77.2% in 2019-20). | UPPCS (Mains) 2006 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| UP Agro-climatic Zones | Uttar Pradesh is divided into 9 agro-climatic zones. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023, U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010 |
| Ganga-Yamuna Doab Agro-climatic region (UP) | This region encompasses central and western Uttar Pradesh. It has high irrigation intensity (over 130%) and high cropping intensity (over 140%). | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| First Agricultural University | G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, established at Pantnagar (erstwhile part of UP, now Uttarakhand) in 1960. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023 |
| U.P. Council of Agricultural Research | Located at Lucknow. Established in 1989. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
| Indian Institute of Vegetable Research |
| Small Farmer Definition | A farmer with a land holding between 1 to 2 hectares. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 |
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| Average Size of Landholdings | India (National avg) ~1.08 hectares (2015-16 Agriculture Census) Uttar Pradesh ~ 0.73 hectares (2016 data) Maximum (Nagaland) ~ 5.0 hectares Minimum (Kerala) ~ 0.18 hectares |
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| Green Revolution (Nature) | Most appropriately described by Seed-Fertilizer-Water technology. It largely benefited Wheat, Rice, and some cash crops. |
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| Father of Green Revolution (World) | Norman E. Borlaug. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
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| Revolution - Product Match | Black Revolution: Crude oil/Petroleum production. Yellow Revolution: Oilseeds (specifically Rapeseed-Mustard production). Blue Revolution: Fish production. Grey Revolution: Fertilizers. Golden Revolution: Horticulture and Honey. | UPPCS (Pre) 2007, UPPCS (Mains) 2012, U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010, UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
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| Crop Variety: Kashi Lalima | A variety of okra/lady finger (reddish purple fruits tolerant to YVMV and OLCV). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 |
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| Cash Crops | Tobacco, Cotton, and Rubber are typically classified as cash crops; Soyabean is NOT considered a cash crop. Sugarcane is the major contributor to the agricultural economy of Uttar Pradesh. Potato, Sugarcane, and Cotton are also widely classified as cash crops. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012, U.P. R.O./A.R.O(Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Jute Cultivation | India is the largest producer of Jute in the world. Jute is a Kharif crop sown from February to June and harvested from July to October. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023, UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Rice Cultivation Peculiarities | West Bengal grows rice three times in a year. The 100 cm isohyets decide the western limit of rice production. An isohyet is an imaginary line connecting points of equal rainfall. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Largest Area Under Rice Production | West Bengal Uttar Pradesh Punjab Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Bihar | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Cotton Crop Requirements | Mostly a Kharif crop. Requires moderate amounts of rainfall varying between 50–75 cm annually. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Critical Irrigation Stage (Wheat) | C.R.I. (Crown root initiation) stage. | UPPCS (Pre) 2005 |
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| Crop Diseases Match | Paddy (Brown leaf spot); Wheat (Black Rust); Sugarcane (Red Rot); Pigeon Pea (Wilt disease). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023, UPPSC Pre-2022 |
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| Largest Fruit Production (India) | Banana ranks first in India in terms of production. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Intercropping with Pulses | Pulses act as complimentary crops when intercropped with cereals because pulses (tap root system) do not compete for nutrients and moisture with cereals (fibrous root system). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023 |
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| Rabi Crops in NW India | The success of Rabi crops in states like Punjab and Haryana depends on the Western temperate cyclones (Western disturbances) during winters. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023 |
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| Rabi Pulse Crop (Exception) | French bean is explicitly stated as not a Rabi pulse crop (unlike Chickpea, Green gram, and Lentil). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O.(Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Cereal Yield Definition | The amount of cereal crops produced per unit area of harvested land (typically measured in kilograms or tons per hectare). | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Saline Soils |
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| Not appropriate for cultivation of crops because they have a high proportion of salt, largely due to dry climate and poor drainage. |
| U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023 |
| Hydroponics | The technique of Growing a plant without soil. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Chemicals for Fruit Ripening | Ethrel is used to hasten the ripening of fruits. Ethrel contains ethephon, which releases ethylene, a natural plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening. It is widely used in crops like banana, mango, tomato, pineapple, and others to induce uniform and faster ripening without affecting the taste and quality of the fruit. Indole-3-butyric acid is used for rooting hormone. Maleic hydrazide is used to inhibit sprouting and growth regulation. Cycocel is a plant growth regulator used to reduce height and promote flowering | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Biofertilizers | They are defined as Cultures of micro-organisms. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Essential Elements (Deficiency) | Deficiency of Nitrogen causes yellowing and poor growth of plants. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Pest Control Act | The Destructive Insects and Pests Act (DIPA) was passed in the year 1914. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Beneficial Insects | Helicoverpa armigera(cotton bollworm) is not a beneficial insect, while Bombyx mori(silkworm), Laccifer lacca((produces lac or resin), and Apis mellifera (Honeybee) are. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Descending Order of Credit Importance (Current) | Commercial Banks > Regional Rural Banks > Co-operative Banks. | UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2004 |
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| Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme | Introduced in 1998. Covers Consumption Credit and Investment Credit. Provides short-term credit for cultivation, post-harvest expenses, working capital, and consumption needs of farm households. | UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2008, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016, 2014, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010, UPPCS (Pre) 2020 |
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| Agricultural Credit Target (2025-26) | ₹32.50 lakh crore, with a sub-target of ₹5.0 lakh crore for animal husbandry and allied activities |
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| Agri Stack | Consists of three key layers — the farm layer (land records), the farmer layer (KYC), and the crop layer |
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| Agricultural Prices Commission (APC) | Set up in the year 1965. | UPPCS (Mains) 2002 |
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| MSP Setting Body | Recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). | UPPCS (Spl.) (Pre) 2008 |
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| MSP vs C2 Costs | Since 1997-98, MSP for major crops has been fixed at a greater value than C2 costs (MSP > C2 costs). |
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| MSP Objectives | To stabilize agricultural prices, ensure minimum fixed prices for farmers' yields, and contribute to the Food Security Mission. | UPPCS (Mains) 2016 |
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| Sugarcane Pricing | Government announces Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane, not MSP. |
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| Procurement Prices | The prices at which the government purchases foodgrains for the PDS and buffer-stock. Generally higher than the MSP. | UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2008 |
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| Farmers Produce, Trade and Commerce Bill 2020 | Allowed trade outside APMC premises. Did not mention Essential Commodities, Contract Farming, or Minimum Support Price. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 |
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| Food Management Objectives | Procurement and distribution of food grains and maintenance of buffer stock are main objectives. Export of food grains is NOT an objective. |
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| Public Investment in Agriculture | Includes investment in creation of physical infrastructure and social assets, such as Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, Social Capital development (education and training), and Setting up of cold storage facilities. Subsidies (like free electricity or loan waivers) and fixing MSP are NOT considered public investment. |
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| National Agriculture Market (eNAM) | A pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities. Provides farmers access to a nationwide market with prices commensurate with quality. |
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| Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) | Launched in August 2007 (11th FYP). Funding pattern since 2015-16 is generally 60:40 (Centre:States). Activities include integrated development of food crops and rainfed farming. | UPPCS (Pre) 2009, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010 |
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| National Horticulture Mission (NHM) | Implemented since 2005-06. Uttar Pradesh is covered under NHM. | UPPCS (Mains) 2009, 2010, 2016 |
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| National Food Security Mission (NFSM) | Became effective from Rabi Season 2007-08. Initially covered Wheat, Rice, and Pulses; coarse cereals and oilseeds were added later. | UPPCS (Mains) 2008, 2013, UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2008 |
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| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | Launched in Kharif 2016. Covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. |
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| National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) | Started in 1999-2000. Extended to Kharif crop in the Union Budget of 2004-05. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003, 2004, 2005 |
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| Hariyali Yojana | Launched in January 2003. Related to Water Management / watershed management. | UPPCS (Mains) 2016, 2010, UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
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| PM-KUSUM Scheme | Launched in March 2019. Objective is to remove farmers' dependence on diesel/kerosene and to link pump sets to solar energy. |
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| Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana | Launched in 2004-05 Related to the thrust in export of agricultural products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, flowers, value-added products). | UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2004, UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
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| Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojna | Started July 1, 2001. Provides benefits of pension and insurance to agriculture workers. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001, UPPCS (Mains) 2002 |
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| Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) | Launched in 2011-12 as a sub-scheme under RKVY to ensure agriculture growth in rainfed areas. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
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| Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) | Proposed in Union Budget 2021-22. Levied on 29 products (e.g., gold, imported pulses, imported urea) to finance spending on developing agriculture infrastructure. | UPPCS (Pre) 2021 |
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| Kisan Bahi Yojana (UP) |
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| Started in Uttar Pradesh in 1992. |
| UPPCS (Pre) 2010 |
| Kisan Mitra Yojana (UP) | Started on 18 June, 2001. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Operation Kayakalp (UP) | Launched in 2018. Scheme launched in Uttar Pradesh related to renovating primary schools and improving basic school infrastructure. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana (UP) | Started in 2023-24. Includes milch cow breeds of Sahiwal, Gir, Tharparkar and Gangatiri. Beneficiary must have at least one year of cattle rearing experience. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023 |
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| UP Organic Certification Agency | Established in 2005. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| UP Leading Food Grain Producer | Uttar Pradesh was the leading producer of food grains in India in 2023-24. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| UP Largest Industry (Employment) | Handloom is the biggest job-oriented industry in Uttar Pradesh. | UPPCS (Spl.) (Pre) 2008 |
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| Ganga Expressway | A State Government's Programme, not a Central Government Programme. | UPPSC Pre-2023 |
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| Located at Varanasi (U.P.). |
| U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute | Located at Jhansi (U.P.). | UPPCS (Mains) 2012, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research | Located in New Delhi. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| Handbook of Agriculture Publisher | Published by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). | UPPCS (Mains) 2012 |
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| Kisan Call Centre | Started by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) 2023 |
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| ICAR Technological Projects (Chronology) | Correct order: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (1974) Lab to Land Programme (1979) National Agricultural Technology Project (1998) National Agricultural Innovation Project (2006). | U.P. R.O. / A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
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| NAFED (1958) | Apex organization mainly connected with Agricultural marketing. | UPPCS (Pre) 1995 |
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| AGMARK | A seal of quality guarantee. A certification mark assuring agricultural products conform to notified grade standards. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002 |
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| NABARD Establishment | Came into existence in 1982. It is the largest institution for agricultural finance and refinance. | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2014, UPPCS (Mains) 2003, UPPCS (Pre) 2020 |
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| NABARD Headquarters | Headquartered at Mumbai. |
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| RIDF Administration | NABARD administers the finances of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
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| NABARD SHG-Bank Linkage Programme | Started by NABARD in 1992 to provide short-term finance, but NABARD does not implement the programme directly. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2015 |
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