UPSC Mains 2025 GS3 Q4 — Supply chain management
Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Elaborate
- Scope keywords
- scopesignificancesupply chain managementagricultural commoditiesIndia
- Implicit sub-parts
- What are the specific stages of the agri-supply chain in India (farm-to-fork)?
- What is the untapped potential or 'scope' for modernization and value addition?
- How does efficient SCM impact food security, farmer income, and inflation?
- What are the systemic bottlenecks currently limiting the efficiency of this chain?
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on general farm problems like irrigation or seeds instead of post-harvest logistics.
- Ignoring the 'scope' part by failing to mention emerging sectors like cold storage, food processing, and e-NAM.
- Failing to mention the role of private sector participation and FDI in retail/logistics.
- Writing a generic essay on agriculture without using technical SCM terms like 'last-mile connectivity', 'cold-chain', or 'intermediary elimination'.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (doubling farmer income, reducing wastage)Infrastructure (warehousing, cold chains, transport)Technological (digitization, traceability, e-commerce)Social (food security, nutritional stability)Policy (PMKSY, TOP to TOTAL, e-NAM)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend approximately 30 words on defining the SCM process in the Indian context. Dedicate 50 words to the 'Scope' focusing on modern infrastructure and technology, and 50 words to 'Significance' focusing on economic and welfare impacts. Use the final 20 words for a forward-looking conclusion or a brief mention of a key government scheme.
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