Consider the following statements regarding cotton production and GM crops in India:

Agriculture ·Previously asked in JKPSC Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) 2025

View the full solved paper: GS Paper I (Set B)

Question

Consider the following statements regarding cotton production and GM crops in India:

I. Bt. cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.

II. India is the world's third-largest cotton producer, after China and the United States.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. I only (Correct answer)
  2. B. II only
  3. C. Both I and II
  4. D. Neither I nor II

Correct Answer

Option A — I only

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is I only.

Key Points

  • Statement I: Bt. cotton (Bollgard) is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India (since 2002) ✓.
  • Statement II: India is not the third-largest cotton producer — India is consistently among the top 1-2 producers globally (often the largest or second-largest after China); the USA ranks lower than India ✗.
  • Only Statement I is correct.