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Q39 (IAS/2019) Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Conservation › Agricultural pollution Official Key

In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A because carbofuran, along with other similar formulations, are being used as pesticides (PPC) in India[2], and bans for methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos have been announced by the Central Government in 2018 and 2020[5]. The apprehension mentioned in the question stems from the fact that pesticides are noted contaminants and are defined as harmful to human health[2]. Additionally, Methyl Parathion formulations are banned for use on fruits and vegetables[7], indicating their classification as agricultural pesticides. The fact that carbofuran remains among the nine pesticides banned in Kerala but still in use nationally with no plans for regulatory action[8] further underscores the concern around these chemicals as agricultural pesticides rather than food preservatives, fruit-ripening agents, or cosmetic ingredients.

Sources
  1. [1] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/687321468268482001/pdf/E1241.pdf
  2. [2] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/687321468268482001/pdf/E1241.pdf
  3. [3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7031890/
  4. [4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7031890/
  5. [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7031890/
  6. [6] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099070924080580800/pdf/P178418150fcb303d18a2716224eddb3e0f.pdf
  7. [7] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099070924080580800/pdf/P178418150fcb303d18a2716224eddb3e0f.pdf
  8. [8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7031890/
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Q. In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as [A] p…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 10/10
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This is a classic 'Group Identification' question triggered by current regulatory bans. While the specific news (bans in 2018/2020) makes it current affairs, the static knowledge of 'Carbofuran' or 'Phorate' as hazardous pesticides is available in standard Environment textbooks (Shankar/Majid Hussain). You only needed to identify ONE chemical to crack the whole group.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In India, are carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos used as pesticides in agriculture?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bans for some of these pesticides have now been announced by the Central Government: methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride and methyl parathion in 2018 and phorate and triazophos in 2020. However, nine pesticides banned in Kerala remain in use nationally with no plans for regulatory action (anilofos, atrazine, carbofuran,"
Why this source?
  • Peer-reviewed PMC article states central government announced bans for methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos, implying prior agricultural use.
  • The same passage explicitly lists carbofuran as a pesticide remaining in use nationally.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Many of the formulations such as BHC, Carbofuran, Dimethoate, Endosulphan, Lindane, and Monocrotophos that are banned in the developed countries are being used as PPC in India"
Why this source?
  • World Bank document explicitly states Carbofuran is being used in India despite bans in developed countries.
  • This supports that carbofuran is (or was) used as an agricultural pesticide in India.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Methyl Parathion 50 % EC and 2% DP formulations are banned for use on fruits and vegetables. (S.O.680 (E) dated 17thJuly, 2001) The use of Methyl Parathion is permitted only on those crops approved by the Registration Committee where honeybees are not acting as pollinators."
Why this source?
  • Government/plant protection document discusses regulatory restrictions on Methyl Parathion, indicating its use in agriculture and subsequent limited bans.
  • Shows methyl parathion was permitted on certain crops, demonstrating agricultural application in India.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Pesticides Banned for Manufacture, Import Use > p. 86
Strength: 5/5
“1. | Aldicarb 2. | Aldrin 3. | BHC 4. | Calcium cyanide 5. | Captofol powder (80%) 6. | Carbofuran (50% wp) 7. | Chlordane 8. | Chlorobenzilate 9. | Chlorobromopropane 10. | Copper acetoarsenite 11. | Dieldrin 12. | Endrin 13. | Maleic hydrazide 14. | Menazone 15. | Methomyl (12.5%) 16. | Methomyl (24%) 17. | Nicotin sulphate 18. | Nitrofen 19. | Paraquat dimethyl sulphate 20. | Penatachloro nitrobenzene 21. | Pentachlorophenol 22. | Phenyl mercuric acetate 23. | Phosphamidon (85% SL) 24. | Sodium methane arsonate”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete list of pesticides banned for manufacture/import/use in India and explicitly names 'Carbofuran (50% wp)'.

How to extend

A student could check whether the other named chemicals (methyl parathion, phorate, triazophos) appear on similar official banned/registered lists or historic use lists to infer past or present use.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 6: Environmental Issues > Neonicotinoids > p. 120
Strength: 4/5
“Soil insecticide applications reduce the risks for insecticide drift from the target site, and for at least some beneficial insects on plants. They include imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. Uncertainties prevail lince their initial registration regarding the potential environmental fate and effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, particularly as they relate to pollinators. Studies conducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s suggest that neonicotinic residues can accumulate in pollen and nectar of treated plants and represent a potential risk to pollinators. There is major concern that neonicotinic pesticides play a role in recent pollinator declines. Neonicotinods can also be persistent in the environrnent, and when used as seed treatments, I”
Why relevant

Lists specific insecticides (neonicotinoids) used as soil applications and discusses registration and environmental concerns—shows that named chemical classes and products are tracked and regulated.

How to extend

Use this pattern (that particular active ingredients are listed by class and registration status) to look up registration/usage status of methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos in Indian regulatory documents.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Growth of Agricultural Output and Technology > p. 36
Strength: 4/5
“Consumption of chemical fertilizers has increased by 15 times since mid-sixties. Since the high yielding varieties are highly susceptible to pests and diseases, the use of pesticides has increased significantly since 1960s.”
Why relevant

States that use of pesticides in India has increased significantly since the 1960s because HYV crops are pest‑susceptible, implying wide agricultural reliance on various pesticide compounds.

How to extend

Combine this general increase with knowledge of common historical pesticide classes to suspect that organophosphates and carbamates (families that include the named chemicals) were/are used, then verify against lists.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use > Overexploitation of groundwater: a caselet from Punjab > p. 13
Strength: 4/5
“In addition, the supply of free power led to the over-pumping of groundwater (a situation still prevalent in much of India today). Modern farming techniques also required the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers. The combined effect of these factors is that the groundwater level in a large part of Punjab (see fig. 1.17) has become inaccessible till depths of about 30 metres; and the chemicals from the pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in the groundwater causing health hazards.”
Why relevant

Notes that modern farming in Punjab required chemical pesticides and fertilisers and that chemicals have leached into groundwater, indicating heavy local pesticide use.

How to extend

A student could use the regional example (Punjab) plus crop patterns to check whether specific pesticides (such as phorate or triazophos) were known to be used there historically or presently.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 2g.1.ro. Pesticide In Human Blood > p. 415
Strength: 3/5
“Pesticides are Lommonly used in India but this comes at great cost to human health. It found that 5 different pesticides in the blood samples tested from four villages in Punjab.”
Why relevant

Reports detection of multiple pesticides in human blood samples from Indian villages, showing environmental/personal exposure to agricultural pesticides.

How to extend

Use the fact that pesticide residues are detectable to motivate searching residue studies or monitoring reports for the specific chemicals named in the statement.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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