RAS question
India recorded its highest-ever foodgrain production in 2024-25. What was the total production in million tonnes?
Correct answer: (A) 357.73 million tonnes.
India's foodgrain production in 2024-25 was a record 357.73 million metric tonnes.
Explanation
The PIB backgrounder states that India recorded an unprecedented foodgrain output of 357.73 million metric tonnes in the agricultural year 2024-25. It also notes that this was 25.43 million metric tonnes higher than the preceding year, so the figure is not just a large number but the highest-ever production level cited for that year. The increase is linked in the source to sustained productivity gains, improved input management and stronger institutional support to farmers. PIB further says the rise was driven mainly by higher production of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including millets. This supports option A and explains why the milestone matters for India's food-security position.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 342.50 million tonnes is below the PIB-reported 2024-25 record figure of 357.73 million metric tonnes, so it understates the output.
- (C) 315.80 million tonnes is far below the cited 2024-25 output and does not match the record production figure in the official source.
- (D) 370.00 million tonnes is higher than the figure verified by PIB, which reports 357.73 million metric tonnes rather than 370.00 million tonnes.
Concept
This tests agriculture-sector output data within the Indian Economy syllabus. RAS repeats such figures because foodgrain production links farm productivity, government support and food security in a single current-economy fact.