Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

Overview

This arc tracks India's strategic shift from being a 'distressed importer' to a 'self-reliant producer' of pulses. Following a Budget 2025 announcement of a 6-year mission, the government was confronted with data showing imports had surpassed the previous 2016-17 records in both volume and value. The response was a multi-phased causal chain: seed distribution in 7 states, the formal launch of the 'Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses' by the PM in October 2025, and a high-level National Conference in Sehore (February 2026). The mission specifically targets Tur, Urad, and Masoor to stabilize domestic prices and reduce reliance on exporters like Canada and Myanmar.

How This Story Evolved

Budget announces Mission (Mar '25) → Import crisis highlighted (Jun '25) → Seed distribution drive (Jul '25) → PM formally launches Mission (Oct '25) → National Conference held (Feb '26)

1. 2025-03-06: Mission for Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in Pulses
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses launched in Budget 2025.

   Key Facts:

   • 6-year mission for self-reliance in pulses launched.
   • Focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.
2. 2025-06-20: India's Import Burden: Rising Costs of Pulses and Edible Oils
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

   Key Facts:

   • India imported 7.3 million tonnes (mt) of pulses worth $5.5 billion in 2024–25
   • Previous record: 6.6 mt ($4.2 billion) in 2016–17
3. 2025-07-04: Government to promote pulses cultivation
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Government promoting pulses cultivation aims to improve food security.

   Key Facts:

   • Pulses cultivation promotion in 7 states
4. 2025-10-12: Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
   More details

   UPSC Angle: PM launched Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses.

   Key Facts:

   • Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
   • PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana
   • Top 3 export destinations: USA, China, Nepal
   • Top 3 import sources: Canada, Myanmar, Tanzania
5. 2026-02-05: National Conference on Pulses in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh
   More details

   UPSC Angle: National Conference on Pulses held in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.

   Key Facts:

   • Scheduled for February 7, 2026
   • Location: Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh
   • Organized by: Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Genesis

Trigger

The announcement of a 6-year Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses during Budget 2025 on March 6, 2025.

Why Now

The mission was triggered by a deepening import crisis; by June 2025, it was revealed that India spent $5.5 billion on 7.3 mt of pulses, exceeding the 2016-17 record of 6.6 mt ($4.2 billion).

Historical Context

India has historically been the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses but suffers from low yields and fluctuating production due to rain-fed cultivation, leading to 'Price-Import' cycles.

Key Turning Points

1. [2025-06-20] Release of 2024-25 Import Data

   The data showed a record $5.5 billion import bill, turning a budgetary 'plan' into an urgent national security priority.

   Before: Mission was a long-term budget plan. After: Immediate promotion of cultivation in 7 states and seed distribution drives began.

2. [2025-10-12] Formal Launch of Mission and PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana

   Institutionalized the self-reliance drive with high-level political backing and technological linkage.

   Before: Piecemeal state-level efforts. After: Integrated national mission with specific focus on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.

Key Actors and Institutions

Key Institutions

• Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)
• PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

Key Concepts

Nitrogen Fixation

Leguminous crops like pulses have nodules on roots that host Rhizobium bacteria, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into soil nutrients.

Current Fact: The 6-year Mission focuses on Tur, Urad, and Masoor, crops known for restoring soil fertility but currently suffering from low yields in India.

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

The price at which the government promises to buy crops from farmers if market prices fall, intended to provide a safety net and incentive.

Current Fact: Lack of systematic government procurement at MSP was identified in June 2025 as a primary reason for the 7.3 mt import surge.

Pulse Seasonality

India grows pulses in both Kharif (Tur, Urad, Moong) and Rabi (Gram, Masoor, Peas) seasons.

Current Fact: The July 2025 seed distribution drive specifically targeted 7 states to promote pulses cultivation across seasons.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of February 7, 2026, the Union Ministry of Agriculture held a National Conference in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, to review production strategies and farmer income enhancement.

Likely Next

Expansion of the PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana to integrate pulses with technology-driven farming and increased procurement at MSP for Tur, Urad, and Masoor.

Wildcards

El Niño-induced drought in rain-fed pulse belts (e.g., Marathwada, Bundelkhand) or sudden shifts in Canada's export pricing could disrupt the self-reliance timeline.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices
• Food security

Essay Angles

• The Geopolitics of Food: India’s Quest for Protein Security.
• Aatmanirbharta in Agriculture: Beyond Cereals to Pulses and Oilseeds.

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

• Tested whether Black gram is cultivated in both Kharif and Rabi and production trends of pulses. — The new Mission focuses on Urad (Black gram) and Masoor, making their seasonal categorization and yield trends highly relevant.
• Asked which agricultural commodity accounted for the highest import value. — The arc highlights pulses reaching a record $5.5 billion import value, a direct update to this previous question's trend.

Prelims Angles

• Top 3 export destinations for Indian pulses: USA, China, Nepal.
• Top 3 import sources: Canada, Myanmar, Tanzania.
• The Mission for Self-Reliance has a specific duration of 6 years.
• The location of the February 2026 National Conference on Pulses: Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Despite being the largest producer of pulses, India remains a net importer. Critically analyze the 'Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses' in the context of rising import costs and low domestic productivity.

Answer Structure: Intro: Mention the 2024-25 record import (7.3 mt, $5.5bn) → Body 1: Challenges in pulse production (rain-fed, yield gap, MSP procurement issues) → Body 2: Key features of the new Mission (6-year plan, focus on Tur/Urad/Masoor, PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana) → Critical Analysis: Success depends on climate-resilient seeds and assured procurement → Conclusion: Link to protein security and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Essay Topic: Sustainable Agriculture: The Causal Link Between Soil Health and National Food Security.

Textbook Connections

Key Takeaway

The Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses marks a shift from passive food security to active strategic production to plug a $5.5 billion fiscal hole and achieve protein self-sufficiency.

All Events in This Story (5 items)

1. 2025-03-06 [Agriculture] — Mission for Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in Pulses
   In Budget 2025, the government announced plans to launch a 6-year mission with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor to enhance pulses productivity.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses launched in Budget 2025.

   Key Facts:

   • 6-year mission for self-reliance in pulses launched.
   • Focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.
2. 2025-06-20 [Economy] — India's Import Burden: Rising Costs of Pulses and Edible Oils
   Pulse and oilseed farmers across India face a persistent crisis due to the lack of systematic government procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). India imported 7.3 million tonnes (mt) of pulses worth $5.5 billion in 2024–25, surpassing the previous record of 6.6 mt ($4.2 billion) in 2016–17.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

   Key Facts:

   • India imported 7.3 million tonnes (mt) of pulses worth $5.5 billion in 2024–25
   • Previous record: 6.6 mt ($4.2 billion) in 2016–17
3. 2025-07-04 [Agriculture] — Government to promote pulses cultivation
   The government is set to promote pulses cultivation in 7 states through seed distribution drives.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Government promoting pulses cultivation aims to improve food security.

   Key Facts:

   • Pulses cultivation promotion in 7 states
4. 2025-10-12 [Agriculture] — Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
   Prime Minister Modi launched the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses and the PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana. India is the largest producer of pulses but still imports them due to low yields; top import sources are Canada, Myanmar, and Tanzania. The top three export destinations for Indian pulses are the USA, China, and Nepal.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: PM launched Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses.

   Key Facts:

   • Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
   • PM Dhan Dhan Krishi Yojana
   • Top 3 export destinations: USA, China, Nepal
   • Top 3 import sources: Canada, Myanmar, Tanzania
5. 2026-02-05 [Agriculture] — National Conference on Pulses in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh
   A National Conference on Pulses is scheduled to be held on February 7, 2026, in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. The event is organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and aims to discuss measures to increase pulse production and enhance farmers' income.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: National Conference on Pulses held in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.

   Key Facts:

   • Scheduled for February 7, 2026
   • Location: Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh
   • Organized by: Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare