CBSE Class 10 · Social Science · board exam 2027
Chapter 4: Agriculture
This chapter’s questions from CBSE’s real papers of 2023–2026 — the 20 asked most often, 3 with the full model answer, 15 with how the answer begins — and objective questions with the board’s key. All 30 questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the app.
- marks a year (about)
- 3
- questions a year (about)
- 2
- rank in Social Science
- #13
From 4 years of papers, 2023–2026 · full chapter-wise marks
Important questions — the ones the board asked most (20)
- Q1Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025
(a) The Government of India has invited some suggestions for institutional reforms in agriculture. Propose any five institutional reforms to the Government for the betterment of agriculture. OR (b) Suppose you are a farmer. You want to cultivate rice in India. Describe any three geographical conditions which will be suitable for rice cultivation in India and write the names of two leading rice producing states of India. 3+2=5
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Model answer · Institutional reforms in agriculture
- 1.(i) The Government should implement the Crop Insurance Scheme in an effective manner. It should protect farmers against crop losses from drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease, so that one bad season does not ruin a farmer.1 mark
- 2.(ii) The Government should encourage farmers to borrow loans from the Grameen Banks, Co-operative societies and Banks at low rates of interest. This will save them from moneylenders who charge very high interest.1 mark
- 3.(iii) The Government should promote the use of the Kisan Credit Cards among peasants. These cards give farmers easy credit to buy seeds, fertilisers and other inputs on time.1 mark
- 4.(iv) The Government should promote the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme for farmers. It would protect a farmer's family from money trouble if the farmer is injured or dies in an accident.1 mark
- 5.(v) The Government should co-ordinate and announce the Minimum Support Price for important crops. This will stop speculators and middlemen from exploiting farmers and will give farmers a fair price for their produce.1 mark
- Name all five dangers covered by crop insurance: "drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease".
- Write the three loan sources together: "Grameen Banks, Co-operative societies and Banks".
- With Minimum Support Price, say that it stops farmers being exploited by "speculators and middlemen".
Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme
- Q2Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025
(a) Describe the features of cropping patterns in India. OR (b) Describe the main characteristics of major millet crops grown in India.
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Model answer · cropping pattern, India
- 1.(a) India has three cropping seasons — rabi, kharif and zaid — and crops differ with soil, climate and cultivation practices. OR (b) The main millets grown in India are jowar, bajra and ragi.1 mark
- 2.Rabi crops are sown in winter (October–December) and harvested in summer (April–June): wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard; winter rain from western temperate cyclones helps them. OR Jowar is the third most important food crop by area and production; it is rain-fed, grown mostly in moist areas, and Maharashtra is its largest producer.1 mark
- 3.Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon and harvested in September–October: paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean. OR Bajra grows well on sandy and shallow black soils; Rajasthan is its largest producer, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.1 mark
- 4.Zaid is a short summer season between rabi and kharif, for watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops. OR Ragi is a crop of dry regions, growing on red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black soils; Karnataka is its largest producer, followed by Tamil Nadu.1 mark
- 5.The pattern varies by region: Assam, West Bengal and Odisha grow three crops of paddy (aus, aman, boro), and irrigation in Punjab and Haryana has changed crop rotations. OR Millets are highly nutritious — ragi is rich in iron, calcium, other micronutrients and roughage.1 mark
Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme
- Q3Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024
31. (a) Explain the importance of agriculture in the Indian Economy. OR (b) Explain the Technological and Institutional reforms taken by the government in the interest of farmers.
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Model answer · Importance of agriculture
- 1.Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy because it gives employment to most people. About two-third of India's population is engaged in agricultural activities such as growing crops, rearing animals and other farm work.1 mark
- 2.Agriculture provides livelihood for more than half of the population. More than 60 per cent of India's people depend on farming and farm work for their income and their living.1 mark
- 3.Agriculture produces food for consumption. Staple food crops like rice and wheat, along with pulses, vegetables and fruits, feed India's large and growing population.1 mark
- 4.Agriculture produces raw material for various industries. For example, cotton is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry, and jute is used to make gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn and carpets.1 mark
- 5.Agriculture provides agricultural products for exports, such as tea, coffee and spices. These exports earn foreign exchange for the country, and agriculture contributes to the National income.1 mark
- Give the share of people: "two-third of India's population is engaged in agricultural activities" and "livelihood for more than half of the population".
- Name one industry that uses a crop as raw material, for example cotton for the cotton textile industry.
- Name export crops (tea, coffee, spices) and say that agriculture contributes to the National income.
Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme
- Q4Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024
(a) Explain the features of Commercial Farming. OR (b) Explain the features of Primitive Subsistence Farming.
How the model answer begins
1. (a) Features of Commercial Farming: The main characteristic of Commercial Farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs. The farmer grows crops mainly for the market, not just to feed the family.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q5Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024
(a) Explain the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production. OR (b) Explain the geographical conditions required for the growth of tea.
- Q6Long answer5 marksAsked: 2023
(a) Explain the features of primitive subsistence and commercial farming in India. OR (b) Explain the features of intensive subsistence and plantation farming in India.
- Q7Case-based4 marksAsked: 2026
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow : Cropping Pattern Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June. Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and these are harvested in September-October. In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is a short season during the summer months known as the zaid season. (17.1) Rice cultivation is an example of which type of agricultural season ? (17.2) Name any one crop which is harvested between April to June in India. (17.3) Mention any two zaid crops.
How the model answer begins
1. 17.1 Rice cultivation is an example of the kharif season. Rice is a kharif crop. Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and are harvested in September-October. Rice needs high…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q8Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025
35. Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Primitive Subsistence Farming It is a 'slash and burn' agriculture. Farmers clear a patch of land and produce cereals and other food crops to sustain their family. When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation. This type of shifting allows Nature to replenish the fertility of the soil through natural processes; land productivity in this type of agriculture is low as the farmer does not use fertilisers or other modern inputs. It is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is jhumming in north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland; Pamlou in Manipur, Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (35.1) 'Slash and Burn' system of agriculture comes under which type of farming ? (35.2) Why is productivity low in 'Slash and Burn' system ? (35.3) Describe any two features of 'Slash and Burn' system of agriculture.
How the model answer begins
1. The 'slash and burn' system of agriculture comes under primitive subsistence farming.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q9Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026
"Plantation agriculture is also a type of commercial farming." Support the statement with suitable arguments.
How the model answer begins
1. Plantation is also a type of commercial farming. In this type of farming, a single crop is grown on a large area. The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q10Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
26. Read the story of Rinjha and answer the question that follows : Story of Rinjha Rinjha lived with her family in a small village at the outskirts of Diphu in Assam. She enjoys watching her family members clearing, slashing and burning a patch of land for cultivation. She often helps them in irrigating the fields with water running through a bamboo canal from the nearby spring. She loves the surroundings and wants to stay here as long as she can, but this little girl has no idea about the declining fertility of the soil and her family's search for a fresh patch of land in the next season. Suggest any three measures to Rinjha so that the fertility of the soil of her fields remains intact for a long time.
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Use of crop rotation method: Rinjha's family should use the crop rotation method. This means growing different crops one after another on the same field, not the same crop every season. The soil does not lose the…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q11Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026
"There is high population pressure on the land in intensive subsistence farming." Support the statement with appropriate arguments.
How the model answer begins
1. Intensive subsistence farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on land. It is labour-intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production,…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q12Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
Read the story of Rinza and answer the question given below : The story of Rinza Rinza lives with her family in a small village in the outskirts of Diphu in Assam. She feels happy to see her family members clearing the vegetation on a piece of land by cutting and burning it. She often helps her family in irrigating their field by bringing water from a nearby stream through a bamboo channel. She is attached to her place and wants to stay there as long as possible. But this little girl does not know about the declining fertility of the soil in her field due to which her family will have to look for a new piece of land next year. What type of farming is Rinza's family doing ? Describe any two of its features.
How the model answer begins
1. Rinza's family is doing Primitive Subsistence Farming. It is a 'slash and burn' agriculture: the family clears a patch of land by cutting and burning it, and when the soil fertility decreases, they shift to a fresh…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q13Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
Examine the measures taken by the government to make agriculture profitable in India.
How the model answer begins
1. The government announces minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen. This ensures that farmers get fair price for…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q14Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
Explain any three features of Plantation Agriculture.
How the model answer begins
1. In plantation agriculture, a single crop is grown on a large area. The plantation has an interface of agriculture and industry.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q15Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
29. Explain any three features of intensive subsistence farming.
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Intensive subsistence farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on land. The 'right of inheritance' divides land among successive generations, so land-holdings become small and uneconomical. With no…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q16Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025
Mention any three features of commercial farming.
How the model answer begins
1. Commercial farming involves high capital investment in capital intensive inputs. Farmers use higher doses of modern inputs, such as high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides,…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q17Short answer3 marksAsked: 2024
Describe any three features of commercial farming. 3x1=3
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Use of higher doses of modern inputs: The main characteristic of commercial farming is the use of higher doses of modern inputs. This lets the farmer get as much output as possible from the land.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q18Short answer3 marksAsked: 2024
Describe any three characteristics of intensive subsistence farming.
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Intensive subsistence farming is practised in areas of high population pressure on land. The 'right of inheritance' divides land among successive generations, so land-holdings become small and uneconomical. Farmers…
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q19Short answer3 marksAsked: 2024
Describe any three features of Rabi crop season.
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Rabi is one of the three cropping seasons of India. Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am → - Q20Short answer3 marksAsked: 2024
Describe any three features of Kharif season of Indian agriculture.
How the model answer begins
1. (i) Kharif is one of the three cropping seasons of India: rabi, kharif and zaid. Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country.
The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
10 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the Ask Medha app.
Objective questions with the board’s key (10)
- 1. CBSE 2026
Identify the plantation crop from the following :
- (A) Wheat
- (B) Bajra
- (C) Rice
- (D) Rubber ✓
Answer: (D)
- 2. CBSE 2026
Choose the correct option related to main crops of Kharif cropping season :
- (A) Urad, Gram, Groundnut, Mustard
- (B) Wheat, Peas, Soyabean, Bajra
- (C) Maize, Mustard, Gram, Jowar
- (D) Paddy, Maize, Groundnut, Soyabean ✓
Answer: (D)
- 3. CBSE 2026
Identify the correct option related to major crops grown in the 'Kharif' cropping season in India :
- (A) Paddy, Peas, Mustard
- (B) Paddy, Mustard, Gram
- (C) Paddy, Jowar, Maize ✓
- (D) Paddy, Maize, Gram
Answer: (C)
- 4. CBSE 2026
Match Column - I with Column - II and choose the correct option : Column - I (Types of Farming) I. Primitive subsistence farming II. Intensive subsistence farming III. Commercial farming IV. Plantation farming Column - II (Features) (a) Use of modern inputs with less labour (b) Single crop cultivation on large scale (c) Slash and burn cultivation (d) Labour intensive cultivation
- (A) (c) (a) (d) (b)
- (B) (a) (b) (d) (c)
- (C) (c) (d) (a) (b) ✓
- (D) (d) (c) (b) (a)
Answer: (C)
- 5. CBSE 2026
Which one of the following crops grows well in hot and humid climate ?
- (A) Sugarcane ✓
- (B) Peas
- (C) Wheat
- (D) Gram
Answer: (A)
- 6. CBSE 2026
Match Column – I with Column – II and choose the correct option :
- (A) ii i iv iii
- (B) i iii ii iv
- (C) iv ii iii i
- (D) ii iv i iii ✓
Answer: (D)
- 7. CBSE 2025
Swapna is a small farmer. Swapna wants to cultivate cotton. What kind of geographical conditions will be suitable for this ? Choose the most appropriate option.
- (A) Laterite soil, Moderate rainfall, Low temperature and Bright sunshine
- (B) Black soil, Light rainfall, High temperature and Bright sunshine ✓
- (C) Laterite soil, Light rainfall, High temperature and Moderate sunshine
- (D) Black soil, High rainfall, Low temperature and Moderate sunshine
Answer: (B)
- 8. CBSE 2025
With the help of following information identify the agricultural crop from the given options : I. It requires more than 200 cm. rainfall and temperature above 25 °C. II. It is mainly used as raw material in industries. III. It is primarily a crop of the equatorial region.
- (A) Cotton
- (B) Rubber ✓
- (C) Groundnut
- (D) Mustard
Answer: (B)
- 9. CBSE 2025
Imagine you are travelling from Delhi to Chandigarh to attend a wedding, by road in January. Which of the following crops will you notice prominently in the fields during the journey ?
- (A) Paddy
- (B) Maize
- (C) Wheat ✓
- (D) Jowar
Answer: (C)
- 10. CBSE 2025
Mrs. Monika, along with her family, clears a piece of land and grows cereals and other food crops for the sustenance of her family. When the fertility of the soil decreases, she prepares another piece of land for cultivation. Which of the following methods of agriculture does she use ?
- (A) Plantation agriculture
- (B) Slash and burn agriculture ✓
- (C) Intensive subsistence agriculture
- (D) Commercial agriculture
Answer: (B)
Questions parents and students ask
- How many marks does "Agriculture" carry in CBSE Class 10 Social Science?
- In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 3 marks and about 2 questions a year; by marks it ranks 13 in Social Science.
- Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Agriculture"?
- The 20 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 30 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the Ask Medha app.
- Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?
- Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.
The same preparation, with Medha Ma’am — on your phone
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