UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, C and D are correct because they describe widely accepted principles and practices of sustainable agriculture. Diversification, conservation tillage, organic methods and a balance between environmental quality and farm income are central goals. Statement B is incorrect as excessive reliance on chemical inputs is characteristic of unsustainable, input-intensive agriculture. Therefore, the combination that includes A, C and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes A and C but omits D. While diversification and conservation tillage are valid aspects, leaving out the goal of maintaining soil fertility and environmental quality along with profitability makes the set incomplete. A comprehensive answer must recognise this objective.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it captures the full cluster of correct statements while excluding the misleading one. It reflects that sustainable agriculture integrates diversified systems, ecological practices and long-term soil and environmental health with economic viability. By omitting statement B, it avoids endorsing overuse of chemicals.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it adds statement B to an otherwise correct set. Statement B falsely portrays heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides as a feature of sustainability, which contradicts concerns about soil degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss. The presence of this false statement invalidates the option.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it claims that B, C and D are correct, again treating B as acceptable. Although C and D are right, including B, which promotes unsustainable input dependence, makes the combination inconsistent with the concept of sustainable agriculture.

Statements A, B and C are actually all correct about the causes, consequences and international response to land degradation. A describes drivers like overgrazing and poor irrigation, B notes reduced soil fertility and yields and C points to the UNCCD framework. D is incorrect because land degradation is closely linked to poverty, especially in rural drylands. Since option B includes only A and B and omits C, it is incomplete. The correct combination must include A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it groups A, B and C and excludes D. It recognises the human-induced drivers of land degradation, its impact on productivity and the global policy response through UNCCD while rejecting the claim that it is unrelated to poverty. This comprehensive set matches the requirement.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it leaves out C, which is a factual statement about the UNCCD. Omitting a correct and relevant statement makes the option logically inadequate.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes D as correct along with B and C. D wrongly claims that land degradation has no connection with poverty, contradicting empirical evidence from dryland regions. Therefore, this combination cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it combines A and C with D and omits B. Besides leaving out B, which is correct, it accepts D, which misrepresents the socio-economic implications of land degradation.