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.

Organic farming emphasises the use of organic manures, green manuring, crop rotations and biological pest control instead of synthetic chemicals. These practices enhance soil organic matter, improve structure and support beneficial organisms such as earthworms and microbes. Diversified cropping systems also promote on-farm biodiversity. Consequently, increased soil health and biodiversity through organic inputs and rotations is a key environmental advantage of organic farming.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because organic systems deliberately avoid heavy use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. They seek to maintain fertility and pest control through ecological processes rather than external chemicals.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it highlights how organic practices build soil organic matter and encourage diverse life forms. This leads to better nutrient cycling, water retention and resilience against erosion and pests.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since organic farming usually discourages strict monocultures and encourages mixed cropping and rotations. Monocultures with high inputs are more characteristic of conventional intensive agriculture.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because organic yields can vary and may be lower than conventional yields under some conditions. The approach focuses on sustainability and quality rather than guaranteeing maximum yield in all circumstances.

Organic farming is based on using compost,green manure,biological pest control and crop rotations instead of synthetic chemicals. It seeks to enhance soil fertility, biodiversity and ecological balance. The stem clearly mentions avoiding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides and relying on natural inputs,which is the defining feature of organic farming. Thus organic farming is the correct term.

Option A:
Organic farming focuses on long term soil health and minimisation of chemical residues in food and the environment. Certification standards specify which inputs are permitted and which are prohibited. Because the question stem mirrors these ideas,this option correctly captures the concept.

Option B:
Intensive farming seeks to maximise output per unit area through high inputs of fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation. In many cases it relies heavily on synthetic chemicals,the opposite of what the question describes. Hence it is not appropriate for the blank.

Option C:
Shift cultivation (or shifting cultivation) involves clearing forest patches, growing crops for a few years and then moving to a new area. While it may use few chemicals,it is defined by mobility and fallows rather than deliberate avoidance of synthetic inputs,so it does not match exactly.

Option D:
Monoculture farming refers to growing a single crop species over large areas for many seasons. It can occur under organic or chemical intensive regimes but is not defined by input type. Therefore it does not neatly fit the description in the stem.