Question

Arrange the following crop insurance schemes of India in their chronological order. 
• [(A).] Pilot Crop Insurance Scheme 
• [(B).] Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme 
• [(C).] National Agricultural Insurance Scheme 
• [(D).] Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: 
 

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• B. (D), (C), (B), (A)
• C. (B), (A), (D), (C)
• D. (C), (B), (D), (A)

Hint:

Memorize the timeline of key Indian agricultural insurance schemes:
- 1979: Pilot Scheme (PCIS)
- 1985: Comprehensive Scheme (CCIS)
- 1999: National Scheme (NAIS)
- 2016: Modern Scheme (PMFBY)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Agricultural production is vulnerable to natural disasters, pests, and extreme weather.
To protect farmers from these risks, the Government of India has introduced several crop insurance schemes over time, modifying them to improve coverage and ease of access.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the launch dates of each crop insurance scheme:
- Pilot Crop Insurance Scheme (PCIS) - (A): This scheme was introduced in 1979 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India on an area-yield basis.
It was implemented in select states to evaluate the viability of crop insurance.
- Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) - (B): Building on the pilot, the government launched the CCIS in 1985 alongside the Seventh Five-Year Plan.
It linked crop insurance with institutional crop loans, making coverage mandatory for borrowing farmers.
- National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) - (C): Launched in the 1999-2000 Rabi season, this scheme replaced CCIS.
It expanded coverage to both borrowing and non-borrowing farmers, and included commercial crops as well as food grains and oilseeds.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) - (D): This scheme was launched in 2016 to replace previous programs.
It simplified coverage by setting low, uniform premium rates for farmers: \(2%\) for Kharif crops, \(1.5%\) for Rabi crops, and \(5%\) for annual commercial/horticultural crops.
Therefore, the correct chronological sequence is: (A) \(\rightarrow\) (B) \(\rightarrow\) (C) \(\rightarrow\) (D).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct chronological sequence is Option (A).