Economy · 13 Aug 2026

Kharif sowing 2026 monsoon

Consider the following statements regarding India's 2026 kharif sowing season:

  1. June 2026 recorded no low-pressure systems at all, making it India's driest June since 2014.
  2. By early July 2026, kharif sowing was running 20.8% behind the corresponding period of 2025.
  3. By August 7, 2026, concentrated rainfall in the third and fourth weeks of July had narrowed the overall sowing gap to just 1.8%.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: Monsoon Revived, But Why There's Still a Cloud Over the Farm
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 13 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

A near-record-dry June 2026 initially pushed kharif sowing sharply behind schedule, but concentrated late-July rainfall dramatically narrowed the gap by early August, even as a strengthening El Niño kept underlying structural risks alive.

Why for UPSC

This is a classic "how many statements are correct" set built entirely on verifiable figures - UPSC often tests whether aspirants can hold multiple correct numerical facts simultaneously rather than assuming at least one must be a trap.

Prelims summary

India's driest June since 2014 (zero low-pressure systems) pushed kharif sowing 20.8% behind 2025 by early July, but concentrated late-July rains narrowed the gap to just 1.8% by August 7, 2026 - though a strengthening El Niño kept structural risk intact.

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