SOLUTIONS
INSIGHTS REVISION TEST for Preliminary Exam 2018: Test – 43(Schemes and Programmes)
1. Consider the following about MPLADS:
- MPLADS is a Central Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government of India under which funds are released in the form of grants-in-aid directly to the district authorities
- Under MPLADS, the role of the Members of Parliament is to recommend works and award the contracts while overseeing their execution.
- The elected Lok Sabha Members can recommend works in their respective constituencies. The elected members of the Rajya Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the state from which they are elected. Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can recommend works for implementation, anywhere in the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1 and 3 only
Solution:d
The salient features of the MPLAD Scheme include:
- a) MPLADS is a Central Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government of India under which funds are released in the form of grants-in-aid directly to the district authorities. (Hence statement 1 is correct).
- b) The funds released under the Scheme are non-lapsable, i.e. the entitlement of funds not released in a particular year is carried forward to the subsequent years, subject to eligibility. At present, the annual entitlement per MP/ Constituency is ₹ 5 crore.
- c) Under MPLADS, the role of the Members of Parliament is limited to recommend works. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the district authority to sanction, execute and complete the works recommended by Members of Parliament within the stipulated time period. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)
- d) The elected Lok Sabha Members can recommend works in their respective constituencies. The elected members of the Rajya Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the state from which they are elected. Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can recommend works for implementation, anywhere in the country. (Hence statement 3 is correct).
- e) There is no limit for works to be executed for the Government. However, for the works meant for trust/society there is a ceiling of ₹ 50 lakh for the lifetime of each Trust/Society. An MP can recommend funds only upto ₹ 100 lakh in all in a financial year, from MPLADS funds for works to Trusts/Societies.
- f) MPLADS works can be implemented in areas affected by natural calamities like floods, cyclone, hailstorm, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, landslides, tornado, earthquake, drought, tsunami, fire and biological, chemical, radiological hazards, etc.
- g) In order to accord special attention to the development of areas inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), 15 per cent of MPLADS funds are to be utilized for areas inhabited by SC population and 7.5 per cent for areas inhabited by ST population.
- h) If an elected Member of Parliament finds the need, to contribute MPLADS funds, to a place outside that state/UT or outside the constituency within the State or both, the MP can recommend eligible works, under these Guidelines upto a maximum of ₹ 25 lakh in a financial year. Such a gesture on the part of an MP will promote national unity, harmony, and fraternity among the people, at the grass roots level.
- i) MPs may recommend their MPLADS funds to aided educational Institutions which are receiving financial assistance from state government and are recognized by a state/UT/central board of Secondary Education in the case of schools and by state/central university in case of colleges and are not charging commercial fee from students. Such aided educational institutions are eligible for receiving MPLADS funds for all permissible items under the Guidelines with no ceiling.
2. Consider the following about Indian Navy:
- As part of its ‘Constabulary Role’, the Indian Navy is involved in operations like anti-poaching, anti-smuggling, coastal surveillance and anti-piracy.
- The Indian Navy is the nodal agency to handle oil spills in India
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above
Solution:a
The Coast Guard Act 1978 states that the preservation and protection of marine environment and control of marine pollution is the function of the Indian Coast Guard. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)
The ICG has been accordingly nominated in 1986 as the Central Coordinating Authority for oil-spill response in the Maritime Zones of India and Coast Guard officers have been empowered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1958, for taking necessary actions against polluters.
For more on role of the navy–https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/role-navy
3.which of the following are correctly matched:
List – I List – II
- Varuna India-UK
- INDRA India-Russia
- SIMBEX India-Singapore
Select you answer using the codes below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 2 Only
Solution:c
Varuna is between India and France
KONKON is between India and UK
4. Whch of the following Intellectual property rights is protected without any prior registration:
a) Copyright
b) Patent
c) Industrial Design
d) Trademark
Solution: a
Copyright (or author’s right) is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.
In the majority of countries, and according to the Berne Convention, copyright protection is obtained automatically without the need for registration or other formalities.
Most countries nonetheless have a system in place to allow for the voluntary registration of works. Such voluntary registration systems can help solve disputes over ownership or creation, as well as facilitate financial transactions, sales, and the assignment and/or transfer of rights.
http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/faq_copyright.html
5. Consider the following statements about Deendayal Antodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission:
- It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development
- The mission includes the Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
- it implements Start up village Entreprenuership programme
- Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) is also one of the components
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 1,2 and 3 only
d) 1,2,3 and 4
Solution: d
http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1527402
Deendayal Antodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
- flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched in 2011. . (Hence statement 1 is correct)
- It seeks to alleviate rural poverty through building sustainable community institutions of the poor.
- It is centrally sponsored programme implemented in partnership with the State governments
- As part of its non-farm livelihoods strategy, DAY-NRLM is implementing Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) and Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana(AGEY) . (Hence statement 3 and 4 are correct).
- In order to promote agro-ecological practices that increase women farmers’ income and reduce their input costs and risks, the Mission has been implementing the Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana(MKSP). (Hence statement 2 is correct).
Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme & Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana
SVEP aims to support entrepreneurs in rural areas to set up local enterprises. Implemented in 17 States since 2016-17, about 16,600 enterprises have been supported under SVEP resulting in gainful employment for about 40,000 persons.
Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), was launched in August 2017 to provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote rural villages. As of March 2018, proposals from 17 States have been approved and 288 vehicles are operating.
6. What do you understand by the term nuclear triad:
a) The possession of nuclear technology on land, sea and air
b) The ability to strike from land, sea or air
c) The ability to defend oneself on land, sea and air
d) None of the above
SOLUTION: B
Nuclear triad, a three-sided military-force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines, and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.
India has completed its nuclear triad by inducting the first indigenously built strategic nuclear submarine INS Arihant into service. With this, India becomes sixth country to have a nuclear triad i.e. capable of delivering nuclear weapons by aircraft, ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles. Other countries having nuclear triad are Russia, United States, United Kingdom, France and China
7. In context of globalization, what do you mean by hyperglobalisation:
a) exponential increase in the international trade
b) Trade and currency wars
c) culture shock
d) dominance by few countries in world affairs
Solution: a
hyperglobalization (the rapid rise in trade integration) is a phenomena which is true for the post world war 2 era and further got a Philip after 1990 after fall of the soviet empire.
Trade integration has been more rapid than ever (hyperglobalization);
- it is dematerialized, with the growing importance of services trade;
- it is democratic, because openness has been embraced widely;
- it is criss-crossing because similar goods and investment flows now go from South to North as well as the reverse;
- it has witnessed the emergence of a mega-trader (China), the first since Imperial Britain;
- it has involved the proliferation of regional and preferential trade agreements and is on the cusp of mega-regionalism as the world’s largest traders pursue such agreements with each other;
- it is impeded by the continued existence of high barriers to trade in services.
Going forward, the trading system will have to tackle three fundamental challenges:
First, in developed countries, the domestic support for globalization needs to be sustained in the face of economic weakness and the reduced ability to maintain social insurance mechanisms.
Second, China has become the world’s largest trader and a major beneficiary of the current rules of the game. It will be called upon to shoulder more of the responsibilities of maintaining an open system.
The third challenge will be to prevent the rise of mega-regionalism from leading to discrimination and becoming a source of trade conflicts.
8. Consider the following about climate change and India:
- various reports put India at the high risk barometer when it comes to effects of climate change
- Union government launched the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture in 2010, to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change
- NICRA would significantly address gaps in water availability and poly-houses by providing subsidy to farmers
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 ,2 and 3 only
d) None of the above
Solution: a
NICRA: launched during February 2011 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with the funding from Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
Assessment of the impact of climate change simultaneous with formulation of adaptive strategies is the prime approach under strategic research across all sectors of agriculture, dairying and fisheries.
Objectives
- To enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- To demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers’ fields for adapting to current climate risks.
- To enhance the capacity of scientists and other stakeholders in climate resilient agricultural research and its application.
The Scheme will be implemented for the remaining two years (2010–11 and 2011–12) of the XI Plan and likely to continue in the XII Plan with the following four components.[3]
- Strategic research on adaptation and mitigation.
- Technology demonstration to cope with current climate variability in 100 vulnerable districts.
- Capacity building
- Sponsored competitive research to fill critical gaps
Statement 3: There is no such component.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Initiative_on_Climate_Resilient_Agriculture
9.consider the following statements about KUSUM scheme:
- It will help in utilization of barren land
- It will offer generation based incentives to farmers
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) none
Solution: c
KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan) aims to incentivise farmers to run solar farm water pumps and use barren land for generating solar power (Hence statement 1 is correct)to have extra income and also discoms would be given 50 paise per unit as generation based incentives to buy power from farmers for five years (Hence statement 2 is correct).
‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)’ which, inter alia, provides for:
- installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas;
- installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfill irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid;
- Solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra income; and
- solarization of tube-wells and lift irrigation projects of Government sector.
10. Consider the following about total fertility rates in India:
- since not many women use methods of reversible contraception, they have little control over when they start having children, but only seem to have control over when they stop having children
- the average number of children born to a women over her lifetime has dropped below replacement levels for all religious communities barring Hindus and Muslims
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above
Solution: c
Since not many women use methods of reversible contraception, they have little control over when they start having children, but only seem to have control over when they stop having children. This could affect other milestones early on in a woman’s life; for example, women may not get the same access to employment that men do. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Page 108 vol 1-economic survey
11. Which of the following is correct with respect to LIGO – Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory Experiment:
a) INDIGO is a consortium of Indian gravitational-wave physicistsl-wavephysicists
b) EINSTEIN TELESCOPE is American third generation gravitational wave detector
c) LIGO is related to the HIGS BOSON
d) All of the above
Solution: a
IndIGO (Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Initiative_in_Gravitational-wave_Observations
Einstein Telescope (ET) or Einstein Observatory, is a proposed third-generation ground-based gravitational wave detector, currently under study by some institutions in the European Union. It will be able to test Einstein‘s general theory of relativity in strong field conditions and realize precision gravitational wave astronomy.
LIGO and HIGS BOSON are different. The first is about gravitational waves and the latter is about dark matter.
12. Consider the following about scientific research in India:
- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), is a statutory body of DST
- There is no formal mechanism to encourage individual scientists in India
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above
Solution: a
India needs to gradually move to have a greater share of an investigator-driven model for funding science research. A step in this direction occurred in 2008, with the establishment of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of DST. (Hence statement 1 is correct). This body has sanctioned about three and half thousand new R&D projects to individual scientists. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect). It is a promising start that needs to expand with more resources and creative governance structures.
8.26 Page-127 economic survey vol I
13. Consider the following about National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)
- It is part of the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project
- It provides information on district-wise pending cases and help in promoting the transparency in the justice delivery system
Which of the above statements is/are true:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above
Solution: c
National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)
- It is part of the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project. (Hence statement 1 is correct).
- NJDG will work as a monitoring tool to identify, manage & reduce pendency of cases.
- it will also help to provide timely inputs for making policy decisions to reduce delay and arrears in the system, facilitate better monitoring of court performance and systemic bottlenecks, and, thus, facilitate better resource management
- It will cover all categories of cases, including those relating to juvenile justice system.
- The Grid will give litigants and others the consolidated figures of pending cases in the country’s District Judiciary. (Hence statement 2 is correct).
Page 132-133 economic survey volume I
14. appreciation of the rupee (in real effective exchange rate (REER) terms) indicates
a) Increased relative profitability of domestic firms
b) Decreased demand for the imports in India.
c) India’s exports may have become slightly less competitive
d) None
Solution: c
Overvaluation of the rupee means that its price in terms of foreign currencies is too high, compared to what it would be with a more appropriate exchange rate. This makes our exports expensive in foreign markets and our imports cheap in the home market (Therefore demand for import increases) affecting the market competitiveness of indian products. Hence it affects the relative profitability of domestic firms.
Undervaluation of the rupee means the opposite. Its price in terms of foreign currencies is too low, so that it discriminates against imports and in favour of exports.
https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Iwsgmu6mIxf1eo0AYABdmL/A-strong-rupee-hurts-the-economy.html
15. Consider the following aspects abut planning in India:
- In 1938, the National planning committee was appointed to chart the development strategy post-independence under Pundit Nehru
- 15 year perspective plan was given by Pitambar Pant for 1961-76
Which of the above statements is/are true:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above
Solution: c
1938 was the year that witnessed the first attempt to develop a national plan for India when National Planning Committee was set up. This committee was set up by Subhash Chandra Bose and chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru. (Hence statement 1 is correct).
PITAMBAR PANT was one of the outstanding figures on Indian Planning. As head of the Perspective Planning Division, he gave perspective planning for 1961-76. (Hence statement 2 is correct).
16.which of the following directly increases money supply:
a) Public withdraws money from banks
b) Public deposits money in the banks
c) Banks sell securities to RBI
d) None of the above
Solution: c
As banks sell securities to RBI they will get money which will add to money supply. This is part of open market operations.
17. Which of the following describes the term “letter of credit”:
a) An order from a bank to another bank abroad authorizing of a particular amount to a person
b) Statement showing outstanding dues of a borrower
c) Letter from the bank promising credit to a certain approved period and purpose
d) It is the acknowledgement for a sanction of loan
Solution: a
Letter of Credit: letter issued by a bank to another bank (especially one in a different country) to serve as a guarantee for payments made to a specified person under specified conditions.
18. Consider the following about NABH NIRMAN:
a) To expand the airport capacity more than five times to handle a billion trips a year under a new initiative – NABH Nirman
b) is for overall development of health and wellness
c) It is a targeted programme for welfare of children
d) It is a comprehensive nutrition strategy launched by the government of India
Solution: a
Nabh (NextGen Airports for Bharat) Nirman
- It aims to expand the airport capacity more than five times to handle a billion trips a year
- Three key aspects of NABH Nirmanare
(1) fair and equitable land acquisition
(2) long-term master plan for airport and regional development
(3) balanced economics for all stakeholders
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=178342
19. Which of the following would cause the demand curve for automobiles to shift to the left:
a) An increase in the price of the automobiles
b) an increase in the interest rate paid to borrow money to pay for the automobile
c) an increase in buyers’ incomes
d) an increase in the cost of production of automobiles
Solution: b
20. A large increase in oil prices, such as the ones occurring in 1973 and 1979, will cause
a) inflation and expansion
b) inflation and recession
c) recession and disinflation
d) expansion and deflation
Solution: b
Why inflation can rise during a recession
Inflation may not always fall in a recession.
In the 1970s, we had a recession caused by cost-push factors. Oil prices tripled in late 1973. This caused inflation to soar – but also caused an economic downturn – firms and consumers couldn’t afford the higher oil prices. In other words, 1974 was a recession caused by cost-push factors.
https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2314/inflation/inflation-and-the-recession/
21.Fifteen boys are standing in a row facing opposite direction alternately from left to right. If the fourth boy from left is facing towards the east then the fifth boy from the right is facing which direction?
a) West
b) East
c) South
d) North
Solution: a
Justification:
Fifth boy from right means ((15-5)+1)th 11th boy from left.
According to question, 4th boy from the left is facing towards the east.
It implies that the boys standing at even positions from left are facing towards east and those standing at odd positions are facing towards west.
Therefore, fifth boy from the right (11th boy from left) would face towards West.
22.In a certain code ,’il be pee’ means ‘roses are blue’,’sik hee’ means ‘red flowers’ and ‘pee mit hee’ means ‘flowers are vegetables’, How is ‘red’ written in that code?
a) hee
b) sik
c) be
d) cannot be determined
Solution: b
Justification:
Code1: ‘il be pee’ means ‘roses are blue’.
Code2: ‘Sik hee’ means ‘red flowers’.
Code3: ‘pee mit hee’ means ‘flowers are vegetables’.
From Code2 and Code3, we get ‘hee’ is ‘flowers’.
So ‘sik’ stands for ‘red’.
- Five persons- A, B, C, D and E are sitting in a row. Which of the following statements would be sufficient to identify the one who is sitting in the middle?
Statement 1: B is between E and C.
Statement 2: B is to the right of E.
Statement 3: D is between A and E.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) Statements 1 and 2 only
b) Statements 2 and 3 only
c) Statements 1 and 3 only
d) All the statements
Solution: c
Justification:
From statement 1: Possible arrangements: EBC or CBE. Statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
From statement 2: Possible arrangements: EB or BE . Statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
From statement 3: Possible arrangements: EDA or ADE. Statement 3 alone is not sufficient.
From statements 1 and 2: Possible arrangements: EBC or CBE . Statement 1 and 2 only are not sufficient.
From statements 1 and 3: Possible arrangements: ADEBC or CBEDA . Statement 1 and 3 only are sufficient.
From statements 2 and 3: Possible arrangements: ADEB or BEDA . Statement 1 and 3 only are not sufficient.
- There are three statements given followed by three conclusions numbered 1, 2 and 3. You have to take the given two statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. Read the conclusion and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the given statements, disregarding commonly known facts.
Statements:
- Some pens are books.
- All schools are books.
- Some colleges are schools.
Conclusions:
- Some colleges are pens.
- Some pens are schools.
- Some colleges are books.
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
a) Only 1 and 3 follow.
b) Only 1 and 2 follow.
c) Only 3 follow.
d) All follow.
Solution: c
25.There is a cuboid whose dimensions are 4 x 3 x 3 cm. The opposite faces of dimensions 4 x 3 are coloured yellow. The opposite faces of other dimensions 4 x 3 are coloured red. The opposite faces of dimensions 3 x 3 are coloured green. Now the cuboid is cut into small cubes of side 1 cm. How many small cubes are there which have only red color on them?
a) 4
b) 8
c) 16
d) 24
Solution: a
Justification:
We have to imagine other 3 hidden faces in the following cuboid.
Here, we have to look for the cubes with only one face painted.
On two faces of a cuboid, we can find red color. We can find 2 cubes on each of these faces which have only one face painted. Hence, number of cubes we are referring to is 2×2 or 4.
