MCQ 1. What major milestone was celebrated recently (2026) related to the PPV&FRA Act, 2001?
A) Golden Jubilee
B) Silver Jubilee
C) Platinum Jubilee
D) Centennial Celebration
Explanation:
Silver Jubilee (25 years since enactment in 2001).
Silver Jubilee (25 years since enactment in 2001).
MCQ 2. Which of the following is not a provision under the PPV&FRA Act, 2001?
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
A) Farmer’s right to register traditional landraces as “farmers’ varieties”
B) Compulsory licensing if a breeder fails to make a protected variety available
C) Patent protection of plant genetic sequences like in pharmaceuticals
D) Annual reward to farmer communities conserving genetic resources via the Gene Fund
Explanation:
The Act offers a sui generis system, not patenting of genetic sequences.
The Act offers a sui generis system, not patenting of genetic sequences.
MCQ 3. Under the PPV&FRA Act, which test is required for registration of a new plant variety?
Select the correct answer:
A) GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Test
B) DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability) Test
C) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test
D) OSR (On-site Resistance) Test
Explanation:
DUS test is required.
DUS test is required.
MCQ 4. Which authority administers the PPV&FRA Act in India?
A) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
B) National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
C) Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA Authority)
D) Plant Genetic Resources Board
Explanation:
The PPV&FRA Authority administers the Act.
The PPV&FRA Authority administers the Act.
MCQ 5. The “Gene Fund” under the PPV&FRA Act is used for:
1. Rewarding farmers for conservation of plant genetic resources
2. Financing compulsory licensing to breeders
3. Cataloguing and indexing of farmers’ varieties
Which of the above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Gene Fund is primarily for reward/recognition (1) and support of cataloguing/indexing (3).
Gene Fund is primarily for reward/recognition (1) and support of cataloguing/indexing (3).
MCQ 6. Which of the following is not one of the four critical minerals for which the Indian Cabinet rationalised royalty rates in November 2025?
A) Graphite
B) Caesium
C) Lithium
D) Zirconium
Explanation:
Lithium was not in this particular set; the minerals are Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, Zirconium.
Lithium was not in this particular set; the minerals are Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, Zirconium.
MCQ 7. What is the new royalty rate for graphite ore containing ≥ 80% fixed carbon, as per the Cabinet decision?
A) 4% of ASP
B) 2% of ASP
C) Fixed ₹-per-tonne rate remains
D) 1% of ASP
Explanation:
2% of ASP for graphite with ≥ 80% fixed carbon.
2% of ASP for graphite with ≥ 80% fixed carbon.
MCQ 8. Under the new royalty regime, the rate for zirconium is set at:
A) 2% of ASP
B) 3% of ASP
C) 1% of ASP
D) Fixed per-tonne rate
Explanation:
Zirconium royalty is 1% of ASP.
Zirconium royalty is 1% of ASP.
MCQ 9. One of the objectives behind rationalising royalty rates for these four critical minerals is to:
A) Discourage mining of spare minerals
B) Promote import of raw minerals
C) Encourage domestic production and reduce import dependence
D) Phasedown production of green-tech minerals
Explanation:
The policy is aimed to boost domestic mining and reduce import dependence (especially on China).
The policy is aimed to boost domestic mining and reduce import dependence (especially on China).
MCQ 10. Which of the following downstream/associated critical minerals are expected to be unlocked along with these four minerals, as per the Cabinet note?
Select the correct answer:
A) Only Lithium
B) Lithium, Tungsten, Rare Earth Elements, Niobium
C) Only Rare Earth Elements
D) Gold and Silver
Explanation:
The decision is expected to unlock associated critical minerals like lithium, tungsten, REEs, niobium.
The decision is expected to unlock associated critical minerals like lithium, tungsten, REEs, niobium.