UPSC Prelims 2014— Question 14

Correct answer: Option B. Seed Replacement Rate measures the proportion of crop area sown with certified or quality seed in place of farm-saved seed. Higher replacement rates can improve varietal quality and productivity. In 2014, a major constraint was the demand-supply gap for quality seed in low-value, high-volume crops. India did have a National Seeds Policy, and private participation in seed supply existed, so statements 1 and 2 were not valid constraints. Option A: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “1 and 2” Option B: Correct. This option is consistent with the governing fact or the valid combination identified in the question. The option reads: “3 only” Option C: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “2 and 3” Option D: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “None” The key Prelims lesson is to test each proposition independently before selecting the combination. Where the question uses words such as 'only', 'all', 'none', 'always' or a precise institutional/geographical association, a single inaccurate component is sufficient to eliminate the option. The answer recorded here follows the official answer key for the question-paper series represented by the uploaded source and has been cross-checked against an independent published key. The explanation is intended for conceptual revision rather than as a reproduction of any third-party solution.