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UPSC Prelims 2026 · Agriculture · Beyond Crops
Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry?
- It allows Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets that prioritise chemical-free products.
- It confirms that Eri Silk meets international safety, environmental, and quality standards, enabling its entry into premium eco-conscious markets.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both follow from the certification.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT Oeko-Tex tests textiles for harmful substances; the label opens premium markets in Europe and Japan.
2. ✓ CORRECT Eri is made without killing the silkworm (“ahimsa / peace silk”); a recognised certificate turns that story into a trusted label.
The idea
India produces four natural silks: mulberry (Karnataka), tasar (Jharkhand), eri and muga (Assam). Muga — the golden silk — is found only in India.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Keeps the market-access effect but drops the certification itself. The label (statement 2) is what CAUSES the market access (statement 1).
(b) Keeps the certification but drops its commercial result — the whole point of getting Oeko-Tex is entry to premium, chemical-free markets.
(d) Both follow from what Oeko-Tex tests: harmful substances. Pass it, and eco-conscious buyers accept the fabric.
The trap
The two statements say nearly the same thing in different words, so people think one must be a trick. Both are simply true.
🔒 Eri = Assam’s non-violent “peace silk” · Oeko-Tex = global chemical-safety label. Muga = golden silk, only India.