Passage India is starting to deploy AI for critical use cases such as weather forecasting, pest detection and control, and crop y…

Reading Comprehension ·Previously asked in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026

View the full solved paper: GS Paper II

Question

Passage:

India is starting to deploy AI for critical use cases such as weather forecasting, pest detection and control, and crop yield optimisation. However, penetration is limited to a small subset of tech-savvy farmers. In the US and in Europe, generative AI tools have started offering precision farming at scale, integrating large datasets to provide real-time agronomic insights. For at-scale integration and accessibility of AI tools in India, it would be helpful to develop Indian languages-based AI tools for smallholder farmers, partner with AgTechs to create affordable AI solutions, and disseminate AI-based advisory services through government programmes.

Which of the following statements is/are not correct?

1. Tech-savvy farmers will drive the AgTech companies of the future.

2. The development of advisory services by the government programmes for the use of AI tools in agriculture would be helpful.

3. In the US and Europe, AI tools have replaced traditional agricultural practices.

4. The integration of large datasets for use in real-time agronomic analysis is already a reality.

Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. A. 1 and 3 only (Correct answer)
  2. B. 1, 3 and 4
  3. C. 2 and 4
  4. D. 3 only

Correct Answer

Option A — 1 and 3 only

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option A.

Key Points

  • The statements that are not correct are 1 and 3.
  • 1 — the passage says AI penetration is limited to tech-savvy farmers today, but never claims they will "drive the AgTech companies of the future"; that is unsupported.
  • 3 — it says the West offers precision farming at scale, not that AI has replaced traditional practices; "replaced" overstates it.

Additional Information

  • Statements 2 and 4 are correct (government advisory services help; large-dataset real-time analysis is already a reality), so the *incorrect* ones are 1 and 3 → Option A.