UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2020

With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. 2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas. 3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

2 and 3 only

Explanation

Retail prices of urea (and effectively of other fertilisers through subsidy) are administered by the Government, so statement 1 is wrong. Ammonia for urea is made mostly from natural gas, and sulphur used in phosphatic fertilisers is largely a refinery by-product.

Topics: ammonia & sulphur, economy, fertiliser pricing, fertilisers & subsidy, infrastructure & industry