Showing posts with label APPSC GROUP-1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label APPSC GROUP-1. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

INDIA & ECONOMIC SURVEY MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1.     The total length of the Coastline of India including mainland, Lakshadweep Island and Andaman & Nikobar Island is
    (a) 2933 km     (b) 7516.6 km
    (c) 6230     (d) 7215 km
2.    Which country has not the common border with India?
    (a) China     (b) Bhutan
    (c) Maldives     (d) Nepal
3.     The Brahmaputra rises from Tibet. In Tibet this river is known as
    (a) Padma         (b) Tsangpo
    (c) Dihang         (d) Yamuna
4.     Sri Lanka is separated from India by
    (a) Palk strait     (b) Arabian Sea
    (c) Gulf of Adan     (d) Gulf Jafana
5.    Which one of these not a principal tributary of the river Brahmaputra in India?
    (a) Subansiri (b) Dhansiri
    (c) Chanan (d) Pulhimari
6.    Which river of Daccan region not flowing eastward?
    (a) Godavari (b) Krishna
    (c) Mahanadi (d) Tapti
7.    Which is the correct sequence of the rivers flowing in southern peninsular India in context of length?
    (a) Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi
    (b) Godavari, Cauvery, Mahanadi, Krishna
    (c) Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, Mahanadi
    (d) Krishna, Godavari, Mahanadi, Cauvery
8.     Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is situated in which city of India?
    (a) New Delhi     (b) Kolkata
    (c) Surat     (d) Mumbai
9.    What is the number of spokes in wheel of Ashoka Chakra placed in the National Flag?
    (a) 40     (b) 24
    (c) 16     (d) 32
10.    The new flag code of India ‘flag code’ has taken effect from
    (a) 26 January 2002
    (b) 26 January 2006
    (c) 26 January 2008
    (d) 26 January 2009
11.     The National Anthem ‘Jan Gana Man’, composed originally in Bengali by
(a) Bankim Chand
(b) Ravindranath Tagore
(c) Arbindo Ghosh
(d) Somnath Chatterjee
12.    When was the constitutional Assembly adopted the National Anthem?
(a) 26 January, 1950 (b) 24 January 2006
(c) 24 January, 1949 (d) 26 January, 1949.
13.     The National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ composed in Sanskrit by
(a) Bankim Chandra
(b) Ravindranath Tagore
(c) Jyoti Basu
(d) Subhash Chandra Bose
14.    Match the following:
    List I             List II
    (State)         (Density of population)
    A. Haryana         1. 109
    B. Orissa             2. 165
    C. Rajasthan         3. 236
    D. Himachal Pradesh    4. 478
    Code:
    A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 4 3 1 2
(d) 1 2 4 3
15.    Which one of the following is not correctly matched?
(a) National Tree – The Banyan
(b) National Fruit – Mango
(c) National Bird – Swan
(d) National Animal – Tiger
16. Indian Constitution was adopted by     constitutional assembly on
(a) 26 January, 1950
(b) 26 November 1949
(c) 26 November, 1950
(d) 15 August, 1950
17. At present, what is the number of members in Rajya Sabha?
(a) 244 (b) 233
(c) 250 (d) 230
18. In order to be chosen a member of parliament, what is the lower age limit?
(a) 25 years (b) 30 years
(c) 35 years (d) 40 years
19.Which one is not a standing committee of the parliament?
(a) Public account committee
(b) Committee on estimates
(c) Public undertakings committee
(d) Committee on MPCADS
20.Which department is not under the Ministry of Home Affairs?
(a) Department of official language
(b) Department of boarder management
(c) Department of states
(d) Department of public distribution
21. The chairman and members of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are appointed by
(a) The President (b) Prime Minister
(c) Home Minister (d) HRD Minister
22. On which day the civil services day celebrated every year in India?
(a) April 28 (b) April 21
(c) June 5 (d) July 10
23. A committee of parliament on official languages was constituted in which year?
(a) 1956 (b) 1976 (c) 1983 (d) 1987
24.Which statement is not true about Inter-state Council?
(a) The inter-state council is a recommendatory body.
(b) It was constituted in year 1990 under Article 263 of Indian constitution.
(c) Prime Minister is the chairman of the interstate council.
(d) None
25.     Consider the following statements
1. Election Commission of India is a permanent constitutional body.
2. The election commission was established on 25 January 1950.
3. The president appoints chief election commissioner and election commissioners.
Which statement/statements is/are true?
(a) Only 3 (b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 2
26. The National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2006-07 as a centrally sponsored scheme to promote the growth of bamboo sector. Which one is not the aim of National Bamboo Mission.
(a) Plantation Development
(b) Handicrafts Development
(c) Marketing
(d) Establishment of paper industries.
27.    Which one of these are not correct about Micro irrigation?
(a) The main objective of this scheme is to increase the coverage of area under improved method of irrigation.
(b) Quality production is the main concern of Micro irrigation.
(c) During the current year  10 crore has been earmarked for North East region.
(d) This is only implemented in western India.
28. Recognizing the importance of institutional support for the development of horticulture in the North East region, the establishment of a central Institute of Horticulture has been approved for implementation in 2005-06. In which state the central Institute of horticulture established.
(a) Manipur (b) Nagaland
(c) Tripura (d) Mizoram
29.    What is the objective of multi state cooperative societies Act 2002?
(a) Use of modern tools for more efficient and transparent functioning.
(b) Enabling the business growth by providing a conducive environment.
(c) Strengthening and expanding the multistate co-operative societies.
(d) All of the above.
30. Kisan Call Centres (KCC) have been functioning since
(a) 21 January 2004 (b) 26 January 2005
(c) 26 January 2006 (d) 21 January 2007
31.What is the number of Farmers benefited with Kisan Call centres since start functioning of this programme till December 2010?
(a) 47.19 Lakh (b) 36.13 Lakh
(c) 38.17 Lakh (d) 45.12 Lakh
32. National e-governance plan in Agriculture is started by which department of centre to improve services accessible to farmers using information and communication technology?
(a) Department of Agriculture & Cooperation
(b) Department of IT
(c) Department of HRD
(d) Department of Irrigation
33. The National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) board was constituted on
(a) 8th March 1984
(b) 5th March 1985
(c) 8th March 1986
(d) 5th March 1987
34. Consider the following statements
1. Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium (SFAC) was registered by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation on 18th January, 1994.
2. SAFC is managed by the Board of Managing Consisting of 20 members and Chaired by the union minister of agriculture as its ex-officio president.
3. SAFC has established 18 state level SFACS by contributing corpus fund.
Which statement/statements is/are true?
(a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3
35. The National Academy of Dance, Drama and Music named Sangeet Natak Akademi was the first of these entities to be established by a resolution of the Ministry of Education on 31st May 1952. Who was the then Minister of Education in India?
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
(c) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(d) Indira Gandhi
36. ‘Gharana’ and ‘Sampradaya’ is related to which field of life in india?
(a) Dance (b) Music
(c) Drama (d) Sports
37. This organization is the Indian National Academy of Letters meant to promote the cause of Indian literature through publication, translations, seminars, workshops, cultural exchange programmes and literary meets organized all over the country
(a) Sangeet Kala Academy
(b) Lalit Kala Academy
(c) Sahitya Academy
(d) National School of Drama
38. The Sahitya Academy was founded in the year
(a) March 1984 (b) March 1954
(c) March 1964 (d) March 1936
39.Which one is not the followship of Sahitya Academy?
(a) Sahitya Academy Honorary Fellowship
(b) Anand Fellowship
(c) Premchand Fellowship
(d) Prasad Fellowship
40. The national school of Drama (NSD), one of the foremost theatre institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India was set up by Sangeet Natak Academy in the year
(a) 1954 (b) 1955
(c) 1959 (d) 1962
41. The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education and culture. The CCRT was set up in
(a) May 1979 (b) May 1989
(c) May 1999 (d) May 2009
42. The National Mission for Manuscripts was launched by the Government in 2003. Which is the nodal agency of the National Mission for Manuscripts.
(a) Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts
(b) National Gallery of Modern Art
(c) National Museum
(d) Archaeological Survey of India
43.When was the National Museum set up
(a) 1960 (b) 1949
(c) 1956 (d) 1968
44. The Anthropological survey of India is a premier research organization under
(a) Ministry of Science & Technology
(b) Ministry of Human Resource Development
(c) Ministry of Culture
(d) Ministry of Home Affairs
45.Which one of the following is not correctly matched?
(a) National Archives of India – New Delhi
(b) National Library – Kolkata
(c) Lalit Kala Akademi – Kolkata
(d) National Museum – New Delhi
46. The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi was founded in
(a) 1954 (b) 1956
(c) 1960 (d) 1964
47. The National Sample Survey (NSS) was set up in 1950; when was this organization reorganized?
(a) 1965 (b) 1970
(c) 1977 (d) 1991
48.Where is the headquarter of survey Design and Research Division, which is one of the division of the National Sample Survey (NSS)?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Mumbai
(d) Bhopal
49. In which year the first Economic Census came into existence?
(a) 1970 (b) 1977
(c) 1982 (d) 1990
50. Consider the following statements:
1. India is the founder member of the universal postal union (UPU) since 1876.
2. India is the member of Asia-pacific postal union (APPU) since 1964.
3. India exchanges mail with more than 217 countries by air and surface.
Which statement/statements is/are true?
(a) Only 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
51. Postal Life Insurance (PLI) was introduced in India in year
(a) 1884 (b) 1896
(c) 1936 (d) 1948
52. The Forest Conservation Division implements the forest (conservation) Act.
When was that Act enacted by the parliament of India?
(a) 25 October 1980 (b) 27 November 1992
(c) 16 September 1985
(d) 16 October 1987
53. Integrated Forest Protection Scheme (IFPS) was being implemented during the 10th five
year plan and is being continued during 11th plan. The planning commission has suggested to rename the scheme as :
(a) Intensification of Forest Management
(b) Strengthening Forest Management
(c) Conservation Forest Management
(d) Infrastructure Development.
54.What is the number of National Parks in India?
(a) 99 (b) 43
(c) 515 (d) 213
55.When the scheme ‘Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries’ has been modified as integrated Development Habitats.
(a) 2006 (b) 2007
(c) 2008 (d) 2009
56.Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is an autonomous institution under the administrative control of the Ministry of Forest & Environment. When ‘WWI’ was established?
(a) 1980 (b) 1982
(c) 1990 (d) 1993
57. Zoos in India are regulated as per the provision of the wild life (protection) Act. When this act came in existence?
(a) 1969 (b) 1972
(c) 1980 (d) 1982
58.When was the centrally sponsored scheme ‘Project Tiger’ launched?
(a) 1972 (b) 1973
(c) 1975 (d) 1979
59.What is the number of tigers in India shown after the counting of tigers in 2011.
(a) 1411 (b) 1706
(c) 1905 (d) 1608
60. Number of Tiger Reservers in India is
(a) 38 (b) 49
(c) 53 (d) 113
61. India has a Memorandum of understanding with which country on controlling transboundary illegal trade in wild life and conservation?
(a) Nepal
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Pakistan (d) China
62.When was the project Elephant launched?
(a) Feb. 1992 (b) Feb. 1990
(c) Feb. 1993 (d) Feb. 1995
63.Which statement/statements is/are true about project Elephant?
1. All India estimation of elephant is done every five years.
2. The total number of Elephant Reserve in country has become 27.
3. The project Elephant is being implemented in 13 states of India.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
64. In August 1980, where the GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) was established?
(a) Almora (Uttrakhand)
(b) Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
(c) Silchar (Assam)
(d) Sri Nagar (Uttrakahand)
65.Which one of these statements are not true about Forestry Research in India?
(a) Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is an apex body in the national Forestry research system.
(b) This council promotes the solution based Forestry Research.
(c) The council enhances public confidence in the ability of forest managers and researches to successfully handle challenges to natural resource management.
(d) The council has only one research institute in New Delhi.
66. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is the Research and development wing of the Department of which Ministry under government of India?
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs
(b) Ministry of Defence
(c) Ministry of Agriculture
(d) Ministry of Environment
67. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is one of India’s Major Flagship Programes for universalisation of elementary education launched in
(a) 1998 (b) 2001
(c) 2007 (d) 2009
68.Which one of these are not a goal of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)?
(a) Enrolment of all children in school.
(b) Retention of all children till the upper primary stage.
(c) Bridging of gender and social category gap in enrolment, retention and learning.
(d) Enrich the high class of Higher education.
69.What was the annual outlay for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the year 2010-11?
(a) Rs. 15,000 crore (b) Rs. 20,000 crore
(c) Rs. 18,000 crore (d) Rs. 11,000 crore
70.Which one of these statements are not true about Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme?
(a) It provides the residential selting for upper primary school for girls.
(b) The scheme provides for a minimum reservation of 75% seats for girls from SC, ST and OBC.
(c) It provides 25% reservation to girls from families below the poverty line.
(d) There is the ratio of boys and girls student is 50:50 in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme.
71. National programme of Nutritional support to primary education now knonw as MID DAY MEAL SCHEME was first introduced in which year in India?
(a) 1992 (b) 1995
(c) 1998 (d) 2001
72.When was the name of National Programme of Nutritional Support to primary education changed as ‘National Programme of Mid Day Meal in School’?
(a) 2004 (b) 2007
(c) 2008 (d) 2010
73. The National Ball Bhawan is an autonomous organization fully funded by the Ministry of Human Resources Development. When was the National Bal Bhawan established?
(a) 1956 (b) 1962
(c) 1986 (d) 1972
74. The scheme which identify creative children within the age group of 5 to 16 years in creative art, creative performance, creative scientific innovations and creative writing?
(a) Bal Shree Scheme
(b) Bal Bodh
(c) Bal Sadan
(d) Bal Shiksha
75.When the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) was established?
(a) 17 August 1995 (b) 16 September 1996
(c) 14 January 1986 (d) 15 September 1996
76. The Right to Education provides free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years. This right inserted age group of 6 to 14 years. This right inserted to which article of the constitution?
(a) Article 21 (b) Article 24
(c) Article 19 (d) Article 14
77. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) revised its existing regulations and norms in the year
(a) 1998 (b) 2002
(c) 2005 (d) 2009
78.When was the National population education project was launched?
(a) April 1976 (b) April 1980
(c) April 1992 (d) April 2002
79.Match the Following
    List I         List II
    A. NCERT         1. 1995
    B. NIOS         2. 1980
    C. NPEP         3. 1961
    D. NCTE         4. 1979
Code:
A B C D
(a) 3 4 2 1
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 1 2 3 4
(d) 1 2 4 3
80.    Which Article of the constitution states that “The state shall promote, with special care the education and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and in particular of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of social exploitation”?
(a) Article 46 (b) Article 45
(c) Article 21 (d) Article 14
81. IGNOU has established a network of open and Distance Learning institutes and centres in the region. At present, what is the number of regional centres of IGNOU?
(a) 7 (b) 8
(c) 9 (d) 10
82. The commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology prepares and publishes definition dictionaries and Terminology in various discipline in Hindi and in other languages. Where is the Headquarter of The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology?
(a) New Delhi (b) Mumbai
(c) Kolkata (d) Bhopal
83. The University Grant Commission (UGC) is a statutory organization for coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education. When the UGC was established?
(a) 1953 (b) 1956
(c) 1960 (d) 1962
84.Which statement is not true?
(a) India is a member of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) since 1976.
(b) World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a special agency of the United Nationls which deals with copy right and other intellectual property rights.
(c) National Book Trust was established in 1959.
(d) NBT organizes the Work Bank Fair in New Delhi every year.
85. The installed power generation capacity in the country in the year 2010 is
(a) 1, 63, 669.8 MW (b) 1400 MW
(c) 16,429.4 MW (d) 72,274.3 MW
86. The National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. A Navratna Company of the Government of India.When the NTPC was incorporated?
(a) 1972 (b) 1975 (c) 1985 (d) 1983
87. ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidytikaran Joyana’ For Rural Electricity infrastructure and household electrification was launched in
(a) 2004 (b) 2005
(c) 2007 (d) 2009
88. Consider the Following Statements
1. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) was incorporated in 1969
2. REC is a public financial institution, which is responsible to financing rural electrification schemes.
3. REC is the Nodal agency for implementation of ‘Rajeev Gandhi Grameen Vidhutikaran Yojana’.
Which statement/statements is/are true?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2
(c) only 3 (d) 2 and 3
89.Where is the Corporate Centre of National Power Training Institute (NPTI) situated?
(a) Faridabad
(b) Ghaziabad
(c) Mathura (d) Nagpur
90. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was set up in
(a) 2001 (b) 2002
(c) 2003 (d) 2005
91. India is a member of International Energy Forum (IEF). Where is the permanent secretariat of IEF situated?
(a) Tehran (b) Riyadh
(c) New Delhi (d) London
92.When the Government of India was approved the New Exploration Licencing Policy (NELP)?
(a) 1995 (b) 1997
(c) 1999 (d) 2001
93.Which one of these, not a public sector petroleum company?
(a) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
(b) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
(c) Essar Oil Limited
(d) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
94. Pitambar Pane National Environment Fellowship is given every year to encourage and recognize excellence in any branch of research related to environmental Science. In which year this fellowship instituted?
(a) 1978 (b) 1977
(c) 1972 (d) 1982
95. ‘Medini Puraskar’ is given to encourage writing of original books in Hindi on which subject?
(a) Environment (b) Rural problems
(c) Petrolism (d) Education
96. World Environment Day celebrated on
(a) 5 June (b) 5 July
(c) 5 August (d) 5 October.
97. Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award was instated in the year
(a) 1988 (b) 1989
(c) 1990 (d) 1991
98. Senior citizen of 65 years of age or above are eligible for old age pension under NOAPS, but not getting pension covered under which scheme?
(a) Annapurna Scheme
(b) Nutrition programme
(c) Rural Foodgrain Scheme
(d) Old age meal programme
99. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) a scheme of Ministry of labour was launched on
(a) 2 Oct 2007 (b) 1 Oct 2007
(c) 2 Oct 2008 (d) 1 Oct 2008
100.Which country is not included in India’s ‘Look East Policy”?
(a) Japan (b) Thailand
(c) Malaysia (d) Maldives
101. The Government of India launched the credit Gurantee Fund Scheme for Micro and small enterprises tomake available credit to Micro
    and small enterprises. When this scheme was launched?
(a) August 1998 (b) August 2000
(c) August 2002 (d) August 2005
102.Where is the National Institute of Miners health (NIMH) situated?
(a) New Delhi (b) Nagpur
(c) Bhopal (d) Patna
103. The Attorney General of India appointed by
(a) The president
(b) The GOM
(c) The Prime Minister
(d) The Law Minister
104.Match the following
    List I         List II
    a. ITBF         1. 1992
    b. BSF         2. 1949
    c. CRPF         3. 1965
    d. RAF         4. 1962
Code:
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 3 4 2 1
(c) 1 2 3 4
(d) 1 2 4 3
105. The Employee’s Pension scheme was first came into effect from
(a) 16 November 1990(b) 16 November 1995
(c) 16 November 2003(d) 16 November 2005
106. The National Test House is a government laboratory of national importance in the field of testing and evaluation of material and products of all engineering branches except food. Where is the headquarter of the National Test House?
(a) New Delhi (b) Kolkat
(c) Bhopal (d) Patna
107. The NTH has its six regional laboratories in India. In which city of India NTH has no regional laboratory?
(a) Mumbai (b) Ghaziabad
(c) Jaipur (d) Bhopal
108.Match the Following
    List I             List II
    (Institutes)             (Headquarters)
A. Indian Institute     1. Hapur (UP)
of Legal Metrology
B. National Test         2. Kundi
House (Haryana)
C. National Institute     3. Ranchi of Food
Technology (Jharkhand)
D. Indian Grain         4. Kolkata (WB)
storage Management & Research Institute
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 1 2 4 3
(c) 3 4 2 1
(d) 3 4 1 2
109. An integrated Food Law, Food Safety and standards Act was notified on
(a) 24 August 2005 (b) 24 August 2006
(c) 24 August 2007 (d) 24 August 2007
110. In which year the National Health Policy was regular to achieving an acceptable standard of Health-for the general population of the country?
(a) 2001 (b) 2002
(c) 2005 (d) 2007
111. The National Rural Health Mission was launched by the Prime Minister of provide accessible, affordable and accountable quality health services to the poorest households in the remotest rural regions. When this mission was launched
(a) 12 April, 2005 (b) 12 April, 2007
(c) 12 April, 2008 (d) 12 April, 2009.
112. National programmed for control of Blindness (NPCB) was launched in the year
(a) 1975 (b) 1976
(c) 1998 (d) 2002
113. No persons shall engage in smoking in a public place. This rule have been notified and came in effect on
(a) 2 October 2006
(b) 2 October 2007
(c) 2 October 2008
(d) 2 October 2009
114. Rashtriya Aragya Nidhi was set up in which year to provide financial assistance to patients?
(a) 1996 (b) 1997
(c) 1998 (d) 1999
115. The National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) was established in 1961 as a nonofficial body of Bio-medical Scientists. Where is the National Academy of Medical Science situated?
(a) New Delhi (b) Mumbai
(c) Bhopal (d) Ahmedabad
116. Consider the following statements
1. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched on 3rd December 2005.
2. Basic Services to the urban poor provided in JNNURM.
3. The duration of Mission is for 7 years beginning from the year 2005-06 till 2011-12.
Which statement/statements is/are true?
(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) only 1
(c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3.
117.When a dedicated Indian sports channel of Doordarshan was launched?
(a) 18th March 1999 (b) 25th April 1999
(c) 16th May 1998 (d) 16th May 1998
118. Doordarshan opened its window to the world by launching its international channel on
(a) 14th March 1995 (b) 16th March 1996
(c) 16th March 1997 (d) 14th March 1998
119.Match the following
    List I             List II
    A. DD Bharti     1. 1999
    B. D D Urdu     2. 1995
    C. D D India     3. 2006
    D. D D Sports     4. 2002
Code:
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 4 3 1 2
(c) 1 2 3 4
(d) 1 2 4 3
120. India’s largest news agency press Trust of India began functioning on
(a) 1 February 1949 (b) 1 February 195
(c) 1 July 1949 (d) 1 July 1956
121.Which one is not correctly matched?
(a) Press Trust of India – 1949
(b) United News of India – 1961
(c) Press council of India – 1978
(d) NAM News Network – 2005
122. Consider the following statements.
1. The Central Board of Film Certification set up under the cinematograph Act 1952.
2. It consists of a Chairperson and twenty five other non-official members.
3. The Board has its headquarts at Mumbay and nine regional offices.
Which statement/statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 3 (b) Only 1
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 2
123. In which city of India there is no regional office of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)?
(a) Bangalore (b) Cuttack
(c) Guwahati (d) Jaipur
124. The National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) was formed by the Government of India with the primary objective of planning and promoting an organized, efficient integrated development of Indian Film Industry. When was the NFDC was incorporated?
(a) 1975 (b) 1979
(c) 1982 (d) 1985
125. The Film Finance Corporation was set up in the year 1964. When was this corporation menged within the National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC)?
(a) 1980 (b) 1982
(c) 1985 (d) 1989
126.Which statement is not correct?
(a) The film institute of India was setup by the Government of India in 1960 under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
(b) Films and Television Institute of India provides the latest education and technological experience in the art and technique of film making and television production.
(c) Children’s Film Society was established in 1965 to provide value based entertainment to children.
(d) The Directorate of Film Festivals was up under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1973.
127.Match the Following
    List I                 List II
A. First Five Year Plan         1. 1980-85
B. Third Five Year Plan         2. 1951-56
C. Fourth Five Year         3. 1961-1966
D. Sixth Five Year Plan         4. 1969-74
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 2 3 4 1
(c) 2 3 1 4
(d) 1 4 2 3
128.What was the achieved growth rate of GDP in Ninth Five Year Plan?
(a) 8.0% (b) 7.0%
(c) 7.5% (d) 8.5%
129. Three Annual Plans formulated between which years?
(a) 1964-67 (b) 1966-69
(c) 1980-83 (d) 1985-88
130. In which Five Year Plan, the National Rural Health Mission was launched?
(a) Sixth (b) Ninth
(c) Tenth (d) Eleventh
131. According to which Article of the constitution, the Gram Sabha is constituted in Panchayati Raj?
(a) Article 19A (b) Article 234
(c) Article 243 A (d) Article 335 A
132.Which statement is not true about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act?
(a) The Act came into Force on Feb. 2, 2006.
(b) It was implemented in 130 districts is phase two 2007-08.
(c) The scheme was extended to the remaining 274 districts of India.
(d) In First phase it was introduced in 150 districts.
133. In which year, the Ministry of Rural areas and Employment was renamed as Ministry of Rural Development?
(a) 1998 (b) 1999 (c) 2000 (d) 2005

ANSWERS:

1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (c) 6. (d) 7. (a) 8. (b) 9. (b) 10. (b)
11. (b) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (a) 19. (d) 20. (d)
21. (a) 22. (b) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (b) 26. (d) 27. (d) 28. (b) 29. (d) 30. (a)
31. (a) 32. (a) 33. (a) 34. (c) 35. (b) 36. (b) 37. (c) 38. (b) 39. (d) 40. (c)
41. (a) 42. (a) 43. (b) 44. (c) 45. (c) 46. (a) 47. (b) 48. (b) 49. (b) 50. (b)
51. (a) 52. (a) 53. (a) 54. (a) 55. (b) 56. (b) 57. (b) 58. (b) 59. (b) 60. (a)
61. (a) 62. (a) 63. (a) 64. (a) 65. (d) 66. (b) 67. (b) 68. (d) 69. (a) 70. (d)
71. (b) 72. (b) 73. (a) 74. (a) 75. (a) 76. (a) 77. (d) 78. (b) 79. (a) 80. (a)
81. (b) 82. (a) 83. (a) 84. (c) 85. (a) 86. (c) 87. (b) 88. (a) 89. (a) 90. (b)
91. (b) 92. (b) 93. (c) 94. (a) 95. (a) 96. (a) 97. (d) 98. (a) 99. (b) 100. (d)
101. (b) 102. (b) 103. (a) 104. (a) 105. (b) 106. (a) 107. (d) 108. (c) 109. (b) 110. (c)
111. (a) 112. (b) 113. (c) 114. (b) 115. (a) 116. (a) 117. (a) 118. (a) 119. (a) 120. (a)
121. (d) 122. (c) 123. (d) 124. (a) 125. (a) 126. (c) 127. (b) 128. (b) 129. (b) 130. (c)
131. (c) 132. (d) 133. (b)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

INDIAN ECONOMY MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The number of products reserved for small scale industry till October 2008 is—
(A) 35
(B) 21
(C) 81
(D) 106
Ans : (B)

2. From 2nd November, 2010, the Repo Rate has been fixed at—
(A) 3•5%
(B) 5•5%
(C) 4•5%
(D) 6•25%
Ans : (D)

3. The target company of making ‘Cell phone’ in the world is—
(A) Samsung
(B) Panasonic
(C) Nokia
(D) Motorola
Ans : (C)


4. For 2010-11, the CSO has predicted India’s GDP growth at—
(A) below 7%
(B) 8•6%
(C) 8•5%
(D) 9•5%
Ans : (B)

5. Which Indian city has the highest population?
(A) Kolkata
(B) New Delhi
(C) Chennai
(D) Mumbai
Ans : (D)

6. National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) was established in—
(A) 1950
(B) 1951
(C) 1952
(D) 1947
Ans : (A)

7. Which of the following Indian company has been listed at the top in Forbes-2000 list ?
(A) RIL
(B) ONGC
(C) IOL
(D) NTPC
Ans : (A)

8. Which state stands first in the length of roads in the country ?
(A) U. P.
(B) M. P.
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Rajasthan
Ans : (C)

9. On November 2, 2010 the Reserve Bank of India has fixed Reverse Repo Rate at—
(A) 6•25%
(B) 4•25%
(C) 5•0%
(D) 5•25%
Ans : (D)

10. Total receipts from service tax during 2011-12 has been estimated at—
(A) Rs. 58000 crore
(B) Rs. 82000 crore
(C) Rs. 78000 crore
(D) Rs. 88000 crore
Ans : (B)

11. From November 7, 2009, the SLR has been fixed at—
(A) 24%
(B) 26%
(C) 25•5%
(D) 25%
Ans : (D)

12. What minimum support price (per quintal) for the rabi 2010-11. Wheat to be marketed during 2011-12 marketing season has been fixed by the Government ?
(A) Rs. 1080
(B) Rs. 1100
(C) Rs. 1120
(D) Rs. 1180
Ans : (C)

13. On 14 January, 2011 the amount of foreign exchange reserves with RBI was—
(A) $ 183 billion
(B) $ 213 billion
(C) $ 233 billion
(D) $ 268 billion
Ans : (D)

14. Three nationalised public sector banks have joined hands with India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd. (IIFCL) for funding large infrastructure funds. The bank not including in this race is—
(A) Canara Bank
(B) Punjab National Bank
(C) Syndicate Bank
(D) Vijaya Bank
Ans : (B)

15. When was Focus Market Scheme introduced ?
(A) 2003-04
(B) 2004-05
(C) 2005-06
(D) 2006-07
Ans : (D)

16. The government has purchased the Reserve Bank of India’s ……… per cent stake in the country’s largest bank, the State Bank of India.
(A) 56•73
(B) 59•73
(C) 61•27
(D) 69•73
Ans : (B)

17. CENVAT is associated with—
(A) Direct Tax
(B) Income Tax
(C) Indirect Tax
(D) Service Tax
Ans : (C)

18. Which of the following occupied the highest place in growth rate during the 10th Plan period 2002-2007 ?
(A) Agricultural Sector
(B) Service Sector
(C) Industrial Sector
(D) Mining
Ans : (B)

19. As per the latest estimates of Petroleum Ministry. India’s refining capacity will be increased to …… million tonne per annum by the end of coming 11th plan, i.e., 2011-12.
(A) 210
(B) 220
(C) 230
(D) 240
Ans : (D)

20. Which one has become the 8th member of SAARC ?
(A) China
(B) Afghanistan
(C) Mauritius
(D) Myanmar
Ans : (B)

21. Agriculture sector registered 1•6% growth in 2008-09 and it is estimated for year 2010-11 at—
(A) 4•00%
(B) 4•30%
(C) 5•4%
(D) 3•61%
Ans : (C)

22. After merger, Tata-Corus has become the …… largest steel producer in the World.
(A) 3rd
(B) 4th
(C) 5th
(D) 6th
Ans : (C)

23. Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan Yojana is associated with—
(A) The development of Bihar
(B) Community toilets in slum areas
(C) Construction of houses for low income groups
(D) None of the above
Ans : (B)


24. The estimated World Gross Product for 2010 as declared by the recent report of UNO is—
(A) US $ 95•1 Trillion
(B) US $ 62•22 Trillion
(C) US $ 112•0 Trillion
(D) US $ 118•2 Trillion
Ans : (B)

25. “Pure Banking, Nothing Else” is a slogan raised by—
(A) ICICI Bank
(B) HDFC Bank
(C) SBI
(D) UTI Bank
Ans : (C)

26. “Smart Money” is a term used for—
(A) Internet Banking
(B) Credit Card
(C) Cash with Bank
(D) Cash with Public
Ans : (B)

27. Which one of the following stands at first rank in the list of top 10 steel producers in the world ?
(A) Nippon Steels
(B) Tata-Corus
(C) Arcelor-Mittal
(D) Bao Steel
Ans : (C)

28. Which of the following country has decided not to print its king’s photo on national currency ?
(A) Nepal
(B) Japan
(C) Denmark
(D) None of the above
Ans : (A)

29. The rate of Gross Domestic Savings for the 11th Plan as percentage of GDP is fixed at—
(A) 36•7%
(B) 34•8%
(C) 35•8%
(D) 33•8%
Ans : (B)

30. Who is the present (Nobember 2010) Director of Central Bureau Investigation ?
(A) Jyoti Krishna Dutt
(B) Kiran Mazumdar
(C) Amar Pratap Singh
(D) Arun Balkrishnan
Ans : (C)

31. Oil Refinery at Bhatinda is being established by—
(A) IOC
(B) HPCL
(C) Reliance
(D) BPCL
Ans : (B)

32. The maximum limit of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in public sector banking is—
(A) 51%
(B) 50%
(C) 33%
(D) 49%
Ans : (D)

33. Which of the following plan is meant for constructing houses for rural people ?
(A) Indra Avas Yojana
(B) Ambedkar Avas Yojana
(C) PURA
(D) None of the above
Ans : (A)

34. Recently foundation stone of a new rail coach making factory has been laid at—
(A) Saharsa
(B) Rae Bareli
(C) Amethi
(D) Amritsar
Ans : (B)

35. As per the declaration made in Railway Budget 2011-12, how many new Duranto Trains are to be introduced in 2011-12 ?
(A) 15
(B) 12
(C) 11
(D) 9
Ans : (D)

36. As per quick estimate for 2009-010 what is the gross domestic savings (GDS) at market price?
(A) 30•5% of GDP
(B) 33•7% of GDP
(C) 35•5% of GDP
(D) 37•5% of GDP
Ans : (B)

37. Per capita income at factor cost at constant prices (2004-05) for 2009-10 (Revised Estimates) stands at—
(A) Rs. 22580
(B) Rs. 24295
(C) Rs. 38084
(D) Rs. 33731
Ans : (D)

38. As per the latest data released by CSO, what share Indian Agriculture accounts in country’s GDP during 2009-10 ?
(A) 17•1%
(B) 17•6%
(C) 14•1%
(D) 26•6%
Ans : (C)

39. For 11th plan period 2007–2012 savings rate has been targeted at—
(A) 30.8%
(B) 31.6%
(C) 34.8%
(D) 33.6%
Ans : (C)

40. According to Small and Medium Enterprise Development Act, the maximum limit for medium enterprise is—
(A) Rs. 25 lakhs
(B) Rs. 1 crore
(C) Rs. 5 crore
(D) Rs. 10 crore
Ans : (D)

41. Recently, Ministry of Human Resource Development developed a new index termed as ‘Educational Development Index’ (EDI) related to primary and upper primary education.
The state at the top of this index is—
(A) Delhi
(B) Kerala
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Andhra Pradesh
Ans : (B)

42. India’s mobile market has been ranked at the……largest market of the world.
(A) Second
(B) Third
(C) Fourth
(D) Fifth
Ans : (B)

43. In 2010-11, contribution of service sector in country’s GDP is estimated at about—
(A) 48•6%
(B) 50•6%
(C) 57•3%
(D) 52•6%
Ans : (C)


44. Hutch-Essar has recently been acquired by—
(A) Bharti Airtel
(B) Vodafone
(C) Reliance
(D) Tata Mobile
Ans : (B)

45. In 2010-11 budget, the allocation for National Ganga River Basin Authority has been—
(A) Rs. 100 crore
(B) Rs. 200 crore
(C) Rs. 400 crore
(D) Rs. 500 crore
Ans : (D)

46. The tax-GDP ratio in 2010-11 is estimated at—
(A) 10•12%
(B) 10•38%
(C) 12•3%
(D) 11•98%
Ans : (B)

47. In 2011-12, the maximum limit of custom duty is proposed as—
(A) 11%
(B) 10%
(C) 9%
(D) 8%
Ans : (B)

48. In Human Development Report 2010, India has HDI ranking at—
(A) 126th
(B) 119th
(C) 127th
(D) 129th
Ans : (B)

49. As per the latest available data, in September 2010, India’s total external debt stood at—
(A) $ 122•610 billion
(B) $ 192•610 billion
(C) $ 295•8 billion
(D) $ 233•610 billion
Ans : (C)

50. In New Direct Tax Code for senior citizens, income tax exemption slab has been raised to—
(A) Rs. 2•00 lakh
(B) Rs. 2•00 lakh
(C) Rs. 2•50 lakh
(D) Rs. 3•00 lakh
Ans : (C)

51. Now the latest CRR as declared by RBI w.e.f. April 24, 2010 is—
(A) 6•0%
(B) 5•5%
(C) 5•75%
(D) 6•5%
Ans : (A)

52. As per revised estimates for 2010-11 released by CSO, the growth rate for Indian economy has been estimated to be—
(A) 9•5%
(B) 8•6%
(C) 9•8%
(D) 6•7%
Ans : (B)

53. US-based “Novelis” has recently been acquired by—
(A) Tata Group
(B) Birla Group
(C) Reliance Group
(D) Jointly by Tata and Birla Group
Ans : (B)

54. When was RBI nationalised ?
(A) 1st April, 1935
(B) 1st January, 1949
(C) 1st January, 1935
(D) 1st July, 1969
Ans : (B)

55. According to the latest data published in World Trade Statistics of WTO. India’s share in world trade of goods and services in 2006 was—
(A) 1•0%
(B) 1•1%
(C) 1•2%
(D) 1•5%
Ans : (C)

56. As per quick estimates for the year 2010-11, Indian economy’s GDP at factor cost (at current prices) stood at—
(A) Rs. 3790063 crore
(B) Rs. 4713000 crore
(C) Rs. 4879232 crore
(D) Rs. 6426277 crore
Ans : (C)

57. What is the theme of World Development Report 2010 ?
(A) Poverty and Next Generation
(B) The Real Wealth of Nations : Path Ways to Human Development
(C) Incidence of Rural Poverty
(D) Development and the Next Generation
Ans : (B)

58. How many banks are there in public sector at present ?
(A) 28
(B) 27
(C) 19
(D) 20
Ans : (B)

59. What is the national minimum wage rate fixed under minimum wage legislation on November 2009 ?
(A) Rs. 56
(B) Rs. 60
(C) Rs. 100
(D) Rs. 76
Ans : (C)

60. For attaining 9% growth rate during 11th plan, investment level has been estimated to be—
(A) 31•4% of GDP
(B) 34•8% of GDP
(C) 38•7% of GDP
(D) 36•7% of GDP
Ans : (D)

61. Indian Rupee has got its symbol as This symbol has been designed by—
(A) D. Kumar Raju
(B) Udai D. Raj
(C) D. Udai Kumar
(D) D. Udai Reddy
Ans : (C)

62. Primary gold is a gold of—
(A) 20 carat
(B) 22 carat
(C) 23 carat
(D) 24 carat
Ans : (D)

63. First share market in India was established in—
(A) Delhi
(B) Kolkata
(C) Chennai
(D) Mumbai
Ans : (D)


64. ‘Aam Admi Bima Yojana’ is an insurance scheme for rural landless households executed by the nodal agency—
(A) National Insurance Co.
(B) State Government
(C) LIC
(D) Central Government
Ans : (B)

65. Revenue Deficit as a per cent of GDP in Budget 2011-12 has been estimated at—
(A) 4•2%
(B) 6•8%
(C) 6•0%
(D) 4•6%
Ans : (D)

66. GST would be introduced from—
(A) January 1, 2012
(B) August 1, 2011
(C) April 1, 2012
(D) August 15, 2011
Ans : (C)

67. The rate of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) proposed in the budget 2011-12 is—
(A) 15%
(B) 18•5%
(C) 20%
(D) 22%
Ans : (B)

68. Which of the following is not a financial regulator ?
(A) IRDA
(B) AMFI
(C) PFRDA
(D) SEBI
Ans : (B)

69. Inflation in India is measured on which of the following indexes/indicators ?
(A) Cost of Living Index
(B) Consumer Price Index
(C) Wholesale Price Index
(D) Gross Domestic Product
Ans : (C)

70. As per 13th Finance Commission Recommendations during 2010-15, transfers to the states from the central tax pool are expected to be—
(A) Rs. 44000 crore
(B) Rs. 164832 crore
(C) Rs. 318581 crore
(D) Rs. 107552 crore
Ans : (C)

71. From which of the following taxes, the Central Government will get the maximum revenue in 2011-12 ?
(A) Custom Duties
(B) Income Tax
(C) Excise Duties
(D) Corporation Tax
Ans : (D)

72. How many economists shared Nobel Prize in Economics for the year 2010 ?
(A) 01
(B) 02
(C) 03
(D) 04
Ans : (C)

73. The target for exports in 2013-14 has been fixed at—
(A) $ 300 billion
(B) $ 275 billion
(C) $ 250 billion
(D) $ 450 billion
Ans : (D)

74. Global Hunger Index released by IFPRI in October 2010 places India at—
(A) 58th rank
(B) 64th rank
(C) 67th rank
(D) 74th rank
Ans : (C)

75. When was the first EPZ set-up in Kandla ?
(A) 1965
(B) 1970
(C) 1975
(D) 1995
Ans : (A)

76. For rural development allocation Union Budget 2011-12 is—
(A) Rs. 16,000 crore
(B) Rs. 46,000 crore
(C) Rs. 56,000 crore
(D) Rs. 87,800 crore
Ans : (D)

77. What is true for the service tax in Union Budget 2011-12 ?
(A) It is raised from 10 to 12%
(B) It is left unchanged at 11%
(C) It is left unchanged at 10%
(D) It is reduced from 14% to 12%
Ans : (C)

78. Which part of Indian rupee has been allotted in public expenditure for repaying interest on loans in 2011-12 budget proposals ?
(A) 18 Paise
(B) 21 Paise
(C) 22 Paise
(D) 23 Paise
Ans : (A)

79. In Forbes-2000 list of the year 2010 how many Indian companies got the place ?
(A) 16
(B) 56
(C) 37
(D) 27
Ans : (B)

80. As per the latest data available (for the year 2009). Infant Mortality Rate (per thousand live births) in India is—
(A) 72
(B) 68
(C) 60
(D) 50
Ans : (D)

Indian Economy Objective Questions

1. In which of the following states India’s largest tea is produced ?
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Assam
(C) Karnataka
(D) Kerala
Answer: Assam


2. Bilateral trade between India and Europe is expected to touch level of $ …… billion by 2010.
(A) 50
(B) 75
(C) 100
(D) 110
Answer: 100


3. How many members are there in APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) ?
(A) 20
(B) 21
(C) 25
(D) 27
Answer: 21



4. When did we start our First Five Year Plan ?
(A) August 15, 1947
(B) April 1, 1950
(C) April 1, 1951
(D) January 26, 1952
Answer: April 1, 1951


5. Which of the following states in India has produced maximum foodgrains ?
(A) Punjab
(B) Andhra Pradesh
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Haryana
Answer: Uttar Pradesh


6. Who has written the book “My Country My Life” ?
(A) Indira Gandhi
(B) Rajgopalachari
(C) Baljeet Singh
(D) Lal Krishna Advani
Answer: Lal Krishna Advani


7. Who was the Chairman of 13th Finance Commission?
(A) Vijay L. Kelkar
(B) C. Rangrajan
(C) Deepak Pareek
(D) Indira Bhargava
Answer: Vijay L. Kelkar


8. RBI holds……equity in National Housing Bank.
(A) 50%
(B) 60%
(C) 75%
(D) 100%
Answer: 100%


9. The most active and sensitive part of the organised money market is the—
(A) Call money market
(B) Treasury bill market
(C) Commercial bill market
(D) Gilt-edged market
Answer: Call money market


10. Reserve Bank of India, established on 1st April, 1935, was originally constituted as a shareholders, institution with a share capital of—
(A) Rs. 5 crore
(B) Rs. 7 crore
(C) Rs. 9 crore
(D) Rs. 10 crore
Answer: Rs. 5 crore


11. Which one of the following countries has achieved growth rates exceeding 9% for the last two to three decades ?
(A) India
(B) China
(C) USA
(D) None of the above
Answer: China


12. Which of the following is not a Tax ?
(A) MAT
(B) SAT
(C) GST
(D) VAT
Answer: SAT


13. “The Future of India” book is written by—
(A) R. N. Malhotra
(B) Jagdish Mukhi
(C) M. S. Ahluwalia
(D) Bimal Jalan
Answer: Bimal Jalan


14. The National Stock Exchange functions from—
(A) Mumbai
(B) Kolkata
(C) New Delhi
(D) Chennai
Answer: Mumbai


15. For a study of the long-term growth of the economy we use—
(A) Personal Income
(B) Disposable Income
(C) Money GNP
(D) Real GNP
Answer: Real GNP


16. What is the purpose of the India Brand Equity Fund ?
(A) To make ‘Made in India’ a label of quality
(B) To promote in bound tourism
(C) To organise trade fairs
(D) To provide venture capital to IT sector
Answer: To make ‘Made in India’ a label of quality


17. Under the Gadgil-Mukherjee Formula, which criterion gets highest weight ?
(A) Population
(B) Tax Effort and Fiscal Discipline
(C) Income Distance
(D) Area
Answer: Income Distance


18. How much amount has been proposed for defence expenditure in the budget for 2011-12?
(A) Rs. 164000 crore
(B) Rs. 141703 crore
(C) Rs. 157344 crore
(D) Rs. 137344 crore
Answer: Rs. 164000 crore


19. How many additional services have been brought under service tax in the budget for 2011-12 ?
(A) 06
(B) 07
(C) 04
(D) 10
Answer: 04


20. How much custom duty is to be paid on 10 gram of gold as per 2010-11 budget ?
(A) Rs. 100
(B) Rs. 200
(C) Rs. 300
(D) Rs. 500
Answer: Rs. 300


21. ‘Innovation Lab’ has been launched by—
(A) Tata Consultancy Services
(B) Infosys Tech
(C) Reliance Industries
(D) Anil’s Reliance Communications
Answer: Tata Consultancy Services


22. “Development and Climate Change” is the theme of—
(A) Human Development Report 2010
(B) World Development Report 2010
(C) World Development Report 2009
(D) World Development Report 2008
Answer: World Development Report 2010


23. As per the latest WTO report, the biggest exporter country in the world during 2007 was—
(A) Germany
(B) USA
(C) China
(D) Japan
Answer: USA



24. As per the latest WTO report, the biggest importer country in the world during 2007 was—
(A) Germany
(B) USA
(C) China
(D) Japan
Answer: USA


25. The state having the lowest Maternal Mortality Rate is—
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Kerala
(D) Gujarat
Answer: Kerala


26. Which of the following organisation publishes World Investment Report ?
(A) WTO
(B) UNCTAD
(C) IMF
(D) IFC
Answer: UNCTAD


27. The proposed Steel Plant of POSCO (Pohang Steel Company) is to be established in Jagatsinghpur distt. of Orissa. To which country POSCO belongs ?
(A) USA
(B) South Africa
(C) South Korea
(D) China
Answer: South Korea


28. Who is the richest Resident Indian in the latest estimates of Economic Magazine ‘Forbes’ 2010 released in April 2010 ?
(A) Azim Premji
(B) Mukesh Ambani
(C) Anil Ambani
(D) Luxmi Mittal
Answer: Mukesh Ambani


29. When was National Saving Scheme (NSS)-92 abolished ?
(A) Nov. 1999
(B) Nov. 2002
(C) Nov. 1, 2001
(D) Nov. 2003
Answer: Nov. 1, 2001


30. In which nation, the two day summit of Finance Ministers of G-20 nations was held in October 2010 ?
(A) India
(B) China
(C) South Korea
(D) Canada
Answer: South Korea


31. Which is correct for Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 ?
(A) The benefit of ECGC Plan is extended till 2010
(B) DEPB Scheme extended till May 2012
(C) Export Target has been set for 2010-11 at $ 260 billion
(D) None of the above
Answer: The benefit of ECGC Plan is extended till 2010


32. ‘Micro-finance Bill’ 2007 is concerned with—
(A) Regional Rural Banks
(B) Co-operative Banks
(C) NABARD
(D) All the above
Answer: NABARD


33. Moradabad has retaining its first rank in handicrafts exports. Which city comes at second rank ?
(A) Ludhiana
(B) Tirupur
(C) Panipat
(D) Jodhpur
Answer: Jodhpur


34. According to China’s Xinhua News agency, China earned $ 33•5 billion from tourism during 2006 and acquired……place in earning the highest tourism revenue in the world.
(A) Second
(B) Fourth
(C) Sixth
(D) Tenth
Answer: Sixth


35. Former President Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gave a call for…… per cent GDP growth rate to uplift Indian population below the poverty line.
(A) 9%
(B) 10%
(C) 11%
(D) 12%
Answer: 10%


36. OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) is an organisation of how many countries ?
(A) 13
(B) 12
(C) 11
(D) 10
Answer: 11


37. Which of the following Five Year Plan has achieved its growth targets ?
(A) 8th Plan
(B) 9th Plan
(C) 10th Plan
(D) None of the above
Answer: 8th Plan


38. Capital Output Ratio of a commodity measures—
(A) Its per unit cost of production
(B) The amount of capital inverted per unit of output
(C) The ratio of capital deficiency to quantity of output
(D) The ratio of working capital employed to quantity of output
Answer: The amount of capital inverted per unit of output


39. Name the company which has signed a production sharing contract with the government for exploratory rights to two new land blocks in Tripura and Cavery Basin.
(A) OIL
(B) IOC
(C) GAIL
(D) ONGC
Answer: ONGC


40. As per 2011-12 budget the CENVAT has been fixed at—
(A) 8%
(B) 9%
(C) 10%
(D) 12%
Answer: 10%

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Important Bills

1. Central Information Commission:-
• Central information commission is constituted by the central government through a gazette
notification.
• The commission includes one chief information and not more than 10 information commission.
• All are appointed by the president.
• Oath of office is administered by the president of India according to the form set out in the first
schedule.
• Central information commission and state information commission have power of civil court.
2. Election Commission celebrates diamond jubilee:-
• The president of India recently inaugurated the diamond jubilee celebration of the election
commission of India.
• The commission was set up on Jan 25, 1950. While the rest of the constitution came into force
on Jan 26, 1950.
• Article 324 that created the commission was one of those exceptional provisions given effect as
early as on Nov 26, 1949.
• Until Oct 1989 there was just one chief election commission. In 1991 a law providing for the
appointment of two election commissioners. This law was amended and renamed in 1993.
• The election commission enjoys complete autonomy and is insulated from any kind of
executive interference.
• It also functions as a quasi-judicial body in matters of electoral disputes and other matters
involving the conduct of elections.
• However the decisions of the body are liable for independent judicial reviews by courts acting
on electoral petitions.
Principal functions of Election Commission of India:-
• Demarcation of consistencies
• Preparation of electoral rolls
• Recognition of political parties and allotment of symbols
• Scrutiny of nomination papers
• Conduct of polls
• Scrutiny of election expenses of candidates.
• The national health bill – 2009
• It seeks to provide health , health equity and justice for all Indians
3. National Health Bill- 2009
It seeks to provide health, health equity and justice for all Indians.
Its Important Features are:-
• Right to heath care:- the bill seeks to legalize the right to health care along with other issues
associated with health rights.
• Emergency care:- no individual should be denied emergency treatment because of his inability
to pay fees or due to the requirement for police clearance.
• Patient complaints:- bill seeks to make it mandatory for the hospitals to address patient
complaints on 24x7 basis.
• Name of doctor involved in treatment:- every patient has the right to know the name of
doctor/ nurse involved in his treatment.
4. National Arrears Grid:-
• Union law minister had announced that the national arrears grid and the special purpose vehicle
would implement the action plan to bring down the arrears of cases pending in various courts.
• The action plans should focus on human resource development, infrastructure development and
procedural reforms.
• It is decided that special judges to deal with all pending criminal cases where the term of
sentences was less than 3 years.
• It favored creation of a national pool of judicial officers from retired judges to enable persons
from the pool to be appointed as high court judges.
5. Gram Nyayalayas:-
• The Gram Nyayalayas act 2008 had been enacted to provide for the establishment of the gram
nyayalayas at the grass root level for the purpose of providing access to justice to the citizens at
their door steps.
Salient features:-
• It is aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their door steps.
• It will have its court of judicial magistrate of the first class and its presiding officers
( Nyayadhikri) shall be appointed by the state government in consultation with the High Court.
• The Gram Nyayalaya shall be established for every panchyats at intermediate level in a district
or where there is no panchayat at intermediate level in any state for a group of contiguous
panchayats.
• Gram nyayalaya shall be a mobile court and shall exercise the powers of both criminal and civil
courts.
• Officiating nyaydhikari will go to villages work there and dispose of the cases.
6. Law commission:-
• It is a non- statutory body.
• Constituted by the government from time to time originally constituted in 1955 and it is
reconstituted every three years.
7. Judges ( inquiry) bill , 2006:-
• The judges ( inquiry ) bill 2006 established a national judicial council ( NJC) to conduct
Inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misbehavior by high court and Supreme Court judges.
• The proposed NJC would consist of the chief justice of India, two Supreme Court judges and
two high court chief justices to investigate high court judge (It has been change again in the new
draft).
• The chief justice of India and four Supreme Court judges to investigate Supreme Court judges.
• The NJC shall investigate complaints submitted by any persons, or upon receiving a references
from parliament based on a motion moved by 50 Rajya Sabha or 100 Lok Sabha m.p.
• If the allegations are proven, the NJC may impose minor measures or recommended the removal of judges. Removal of judges shall be through impeachment by parliament.
8. Biotechnology Regulating Authority of India (BRAI) bill:-
• This Bill would bring about wide ranging changes in the process of regulating research,
transport, import, manufacture and use of G.M product in the country.
Controversy regarding the Bill:-
• According to section 81 of the bill the act will have an overriding effect over other state – level
acts. Activists allege that this ignores the constitutional powers of states over agriculture and
health
• This bill has no provisions for public participation, which is a violation of article 23.2 of the
Cartagena Protocol on bio- safety to which India is a signatory.
• The bill also states that whoever without any evidence or scientific record misleads the public
about the safety of organism and products shall be punished with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than six months. But which may extend to one year and with fine which
may extend to two lakh rupees or with both.
• The bill serves to over ride state specific concerns by making the proposed authority solely
responsible for releasing and controlling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) through out
the country and envisages only an advisory role for state.
9. The prohibitions of unfair practices in technical, medical
educations institutions and universities bill:-

• It is drafted by the Human Resource development ministry to provide for a central law to curb
malpractices.
• However in the T.M.A pai , case supreme court held that establishment of private unaided
educational institutions was in the exercise of fundamental rights to occupations under article 19
(1) (g) of the constitution.
10. Communal violence bill:-
• It is communal violence (prevention, control and rehabilitation) bill.
• The bill empowers the centre to intervene to tackle communal violence without the concurrence
of the state government , if it is believe that state is not doing enough to control the violence.
• The bill also empowers the centre to declare any area in any state communally disturbed, if it is
convinced that the state government is not following its directions to control or to check
communal violence.
• The bill gives the central government exclusive power to constitute a unified command to deal
with communal violence.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Disputed Areas of the World


Abu Musa : Iran & UAE
Aksai Chin : India & China
Vozrozhdeniya Island : Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Senkakku : Japan & China
Spratly Islands : China , Malaysia , Philippines and Vietnam
Bassas da India : France & Madagaskar
Bakassi : Nigeria & Cameroon
Chagos Archipelago
Hala'ib Triangle : Sudan & Egypt
Kuril Islands : Russia & Japan
Paracel Islands: China, Taiwan & Vietnam
Preah Vihear Temple : Thailand & Cambodia
Sabah : Malaysia, Indonesia & Phillipines
Shatt al-Arab : Iran & Irak


Abu Musa : Iran & UAE
Abu Musa is a 12-km² island in the eastern Persian Gulf, part of a six-island archipelago near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The island is administered by Iran as part of the Iranian province of Hormozgan, but is also claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Aksai Chin : India & China
Aksai Chin, is a disputed region located in the northwestern region of the Tibetan Plateau just below the western Kunlun Mountains. It is administered by China , however, claimed by India as a part of its state of Jammu and Kashmir. The region contains the lake Aksayqin Hu and the river Aksayqin He. Aksai Chin is one of the two main border disputes between China and India, the other being the dispute over Arunachal Pradesh, which is administered by India and claimed by China as South Tibet. India claims Aksai Chin as the eastern-most part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. The line that separates Indian-administered areas of Kashmir from the Aksayqin is known as the Line of Actual Control . Aksai Chin is a vast high-altitude desert of salt that reaches heights up to 5,000 metres. It covers an area of 42,685 square kilometres of the disputed territory. Geographically part of the Tibetan Plateau, Aksai Chin is referred to as the Soda Plain. The region is almost uninhabited, has no permanent settlements, and receives little precipitation as the Himalayan and other mountains block the rains from the Indian monsoon.

Vozrozhdeniya Island : Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Vozrozhdeniya Island, is a former island, now a peninsula, in the Aral Sea. It became a peninsula in 2002, due to ongoing shrinkage of the Aral Sea.It is now shared by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Located in the central Aral Sea, Vozrozhdeniya Island was one of the main laboratories and testing sites for the Soviet Union government’s Microbiological Warfare Group. In 1948, a top-secret Soviet bioweapons laboratory was established here. Word of the island's danger was further spread by Soviet defectors, including Ken Alibek, the former head of the Soviet Union's bioweapons program. It was here, according to just released documents, that anthrax spores and bubonic plague bacilli were made into weapons and stored. The main town on the island was Kantubek, which lies in ruins today, but once had approximately 1,500 inhabitants.

Senkakku : Japan & China
The Senkaku Islands also known as Diaoyutai Islands or the Pinnacle Islands, are a group of disputed, uninhabited islands currently controlled by Japan, but also claimed by the Republic of China (as part of Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China. The islands are located northeast of Taiwan, due west of Okinawa, and due north of the end of the Ryukyu Islands in the East China Sea. Their status has emerged as a major issue in foreign relations between the People's Republic of China and Japan and between Japan and the Republic of China. Japanese government regards these islands as a part of Okinawa prefecture. While the complexity of the PRC-ROC relation has affected efforts to demonstrate Chinese sovereignty over the islands, both governments agree that the islands are part of Taiwan province.

Spratly Islands : China , Malaysia , Philippines and Vietnam
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 650 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea between the Philippines and Vietnam. They comprise less than five square kilometers of land area, spread over more than 400,000 square kilometers of sea. The Spratlys, as they are called, are part of the three archipelagos of the South China Sea, comprising more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which so complicates geography, governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant oil and gas. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim.

Bassas da India : France & Madagaskar
Bassas da India is an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll about 10 km in diameter, which corresponds to a total size (including lagoon) of 80 km². It is located in the southern Mozambique Channel, about half-way between Madagascar (which is 385 km to the east) and Mozambique, and 110 km northwest of Europa Island. It rises steeply from the seabed 3000 m below. The reef rim averages around 100 m across and completely encloses a shallow lagoon that has a maximum depth of 15 m. Its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 123,700 km² is contiguous with that of Europa Island.

Bakassi : Nigeria & Cameroon
Bakassi is the peninsular extension of the African territory of Calabar into the Atlantic Ocean. It is currently ruled by Cameroon following the transfer of sovereignty from neighbouring Nigeria as a result of a judgment by the International Court of Justice. On 22 November 2007, the Nigerian Senate rejected the transfer, since the Green Tree Agreement ceding the area to Cameroon was contrary to Section 12(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Regardless, the territory was formally transferred to Cameroon on August 14, 2008.

Chagos Archipelago : UK , Mauritius & Seychelles
The Chagos Archipelago is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands roughly in the centre of the Indian Ocean. The Chagos lies about 500 km (300 miles) due south of the Maldives, its nearest neighbour, 1600 km (1000 miles) southwest of India, half way between Tanzania and Java. The Chagos group is a combination of different coralline structures topping a submarine ridge running southwards across the centre of the Indian Ocean, formed by volcanoes above the Réunion hotspot. Unlike in the Maldives there is not a clearly discernible pattern of arrayed atolls, which makes the whole archipelago look somewhat chaotic. Most of the coralline structures of the Chagos are submerged reefs. Officially part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Chagos were home to the Chagossians for more than a century and a half until the United Kingdom and the United States expelled them in the 1960s in order to allow the US to build a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands. The deal was sanctioned by the then British Secretary of State for Defence, Denis Healey.

Hala'ib Triangle : Sudan & Egypt
The Hala'ib Triangle is an area of land measuring 20,580 km² located on the Red Sea's African coast, between the political borders of Egypt (at the 22nd circle of latitude - as per the 1899 treaty) and the administrative boundary (as per the 1902 treaty) . The major town in this area is Hala'ib. The only other populated place is Abu Ramad, 30 km northwest of Hala'ib town on the Red Sea coast. Alshalateen is an Egyptian town just on the northern administrative boundary. The closest Sudanese town south of the disputed area is Osief (Marsa Osief), located 26 km south of the 22nd circle of latitude, the political borders line claimed by Egypt.

Kuril Islands : Russia & Japan
Matua Island as seen from Raikoke.The Kuril Islands or Kurile Islands in Russia's Sakhalin Oblast region, is a volcanic archipelago that stretches approximately 1,300 km (700 miles) northeast from Hokkaido, Japan, to Kamchatka, Russia, separating the Sea of Okhotsk from the North Pacific Ocean. There are 56 islands in total and many more minor rocks. All of the islands are under Russian jurisdiction, although the southernmost four are claimed by Japan as part of their territory.

Paracel Islands: China, Taiwan & Vietnam
The Paracel Islands consist of over 30 islets, sandbanks or reefs, occupy about 15,000 km2 of the ocean surface, and located in the South China Sea, also known as East Vietnam Sea or East Sea. Turtles live on the islands, and seabirds have left nests and guano deposits, but there are no permanent human residents except for a small number of troops. The archipelago is approximately equidistant from the coastlines of Vietnam and China, and about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines. The islands comprise of two main groups. The Amphitrite group is in the northeast and the Crescent group is in the west, and about 70 km from one another. Subject to hot and humid climate, with abundant rainfall and frequent typhoons, the archipelago is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. Notably, up until the early 18th century, the present-day Spratly Islands were still delineated as part of the Paracel archipelago, and that the sovereignty over the islands has been inflaming the century-old dispute.
Preah Vihear Temple : Thailand & Cambodia
The Preah Vihear Temple or Prasat Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525-metre (1,720 ft) cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia and near the border of the Kantharalak district (amphoe) in the Sisaket province of northeastern Thailand. In 1962, following a significant dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership of the temple, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague awarded the ownership to Cambodia.

Sabah : Malaysia, Indonesia & Phillipines
Sabah is a Malaysian state located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo . It is the second largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak, which it borders on its south-west. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south. In spite of its status as a Malaysian state, Sabah remains a disputed territory; the Philippines has a dormant claim over much of the eastern part of the territory. The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Sabah is known as "Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu", which means "Sabah, the land below the winds", because of its location just south of the typhoon-prone region around the Philippines.

Shatt al-Arab : Iran & Irak
The Shatt al-Arab is a river in Southwest Asia of some 200 kilometres in length, formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and the Tigris in the town of al-Qurnah in the Basra Governorate of southern Iraq. The southern end of the river constitutes the border between Iraq and Iran down to the mouth of the river as it discharges into the Persian Gulf. It varies in width from about 232 metres at Basra to 800 metres (2,600 ft) at its mouth. It is thought that the waterway formed relatively recently in geologic time, with the Tigris and Euphrates originally emptying into the Persian Gulf via a channel further to the west. The Karun river, a tributary which joins the waterway from the Iranian side, deposits large amounts of silt into the river; this necessitates continuous dredging to keep it navigable. The area is judged to hold the largest date palm forest in the world. In the mid-1970s, the region included 17 to 18 million date palms, an estimated one-fifth of the world's 90 million palm trees. But by 2002, war, salt, and pests had wiped out more than 14 million of the palms, including around 9 million in Iraq and 5 million in Iran. Many of the remaining 3 to 4 million trees are in poor condition.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Naxalism Problem in India

The problem of Naxalism is more dangerous than any other form of violence in India, either terrorism or religion or caste related violence. The number of people died in Naxalite violence is more than the deaths caused by insurgents in Kashmir and north-eastern states. Naxalism is an informal name given to communist groups that were born out of the Sino-Soviet split in the Indian communist movement. Ideologically they belong to various trends of Maoism. Initially the movement had its centre in West Bengal.

In recent years, Naxalites have spread into less developed areas of rural central and eastern India, such as Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh through the activities of underground groups like the Communist Party of India (Maoist). They are conducting an insurgency, the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency. They now have a presence in 40% of India’s geographical area, and are especially concentrated in an area known as the ‘Naxal Belt,’ comprising 92,000 square kilometers. According to India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, 20,000 insurgents are currently in operation, and their growing influence prompted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare them as the most serious threat to India’s national security.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The term comes from Naxalbari, a small village in West Bengal, where a section of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal led a violent uprising in 1967, trying to develop a ‘revolutionary opposition’ in opposition to the CPI(M) leadership. The insurrection started on May 25, 1967 in Naxalbari village when a peasant was attacked by hired hands over a land dispute. Local peasants retaliated by attacking the local landlords and the violence escalated. Majumdar greatly admired Mao Zedong of China and advocated that Indian peasants and lower classes must follow in his footsteps and overthrow the government and upper classes whom he held responsible for their plight. He engendered the Naxalite movement through his writings, the most famous being the ‘Historic Eight Documents’ which formed the basis of Naxalite ideology. In 1967 ‘Naxalites’ organized the All India Coordination Committee of Communist Revolutionaries (AICCCR), and later broke away from CPI (M). Uprisings were organized in several parts of the country. In 1969 AICCCR gave birth to Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).

During the 1970s, the movement was fragmented into several disputing factions. By 1980, it was estimated that around 30 Naxalite groups were active, with a combined membership of 30 000. A 2004 Home Ministry estimate puts numbers at that time as ‘9,300 hardcore underground cadre…( holding) around 6,500 regular weapons beside a large number of unlicensed country-made arms’. More recent figures put the strength of the movement at 15,000, and claim the guerrillas control an estimated one fifth of India’s forests, as well as being active in 160 of the country’s 604 administrative districts.’ India’s Research and Analysis Wing believed in 2006 that 20,000 Naxals are currently involved in the growing insurgency.

Today some groups have become legal organisations participating in parliamentary elections, such as Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation. Others, such as Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Janashakti are engaged in armed guerrilla struggles.

Naxalite-Maoist insurgency
The Naxalite-Maoist insurgency is a low-level war of maoists against the Indian government. The insurgency started as a peasant rebellion in the eastern Indian village of Naxalbari in 1967 and has now spread to a large swath in the central and eastern parts of the country. In 2004 the Maoist rebel organisation People’s War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist). In 2006 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the Naxalites “The single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by our country.” In 2009 Manmohan Singh said the country was “losing the battle against Maoist rebels”.

Naxalites claim to be supported by poorest rural population, especially Dalits and Adivasis. They have frequently targeted tribals, police and government workers in what they say is a fight for improved land rights and more jobs for neglected agricultural labourers and the poor and follow a strategy of rural rebellion similar to that of protracted people’s war against the government.

Region affected
The rebels claim to operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. The area affected by Naxalism stretches from the border with Nepal to Karnataka in the South (2006). In West Bengal areas west of Howrah are affected by the insurgency. Chhattisgarh is the epicenter of the conflict (2007).

THE RED CORRIDOR
The Red Corridor is a term used to describe an impoverished region in the east of India that experiences considerable Naxalite maoist militant activity. These are also areas that suffer from the greatest illiteracy, poverty and overpopulation in modern India, and span parts of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal states.

According to Judith Vidal-Hall (2006), “More recent figures put the strength of the movement at 15,000, and claim the guerrillas control an estimated one fifth of India’s forests, as well as being active in 180 of the country’s 630 administrative districts.

There exists the pro-democratic and anti-Maoist Salwa Judum, which is a government sponsored self defense force which was constituted after the maoists unleashed a campaign of violence against the tribals of Chhattisgarh.The Ranvir Sena, a caste-supremacist paramilitary of the upper-caste landlords and proscribed terrorist organisation by the Indian government, is anti-communist and has been known to kill Dalit civilians in retaliation to Naxalite activity.

Similar self-defense groups have emerged in Andhra Pradesh during the last decade. Some of these groups are Fear Vikas, Green Tigers, Nalladandu, Red Tigers, Tirumala Tigers, Palnadu Tigers, Kakatiya Cobras, Narsa Cobras, Nallamalla Nallatrachu (Cobras) and Kranthi Sena. Over ground activists of maoists were axed to death by the Nayeem gang in 1998 and 2000. On 24 August 2005, alleged members of the self-styled Narsi Cobras killed a maoist activist in Mahbubnagar district.

Urbanization in India and issues

It is more than half of a century that India became independent. The country has evolved and emerged a lot from pre independence to post independence era. At the time of independence, the country was poverty stricken, impoverished and a rural agrarian society. In 1947, only 15 per cent of the population in cities and towns were classified under urban areas. The rapid development and economic growth helped the country achieve the status of emerged nations.

The country is now one of the leading nations among the developing countries and the progress has made the country leave behind many developed nations as well. As per recent United Nations development reports on urbanization, India has achieved 30 per cent urbanization in 2010. The urbanization in India increased from meager 10 per cent in 1901 to more than 30 per cent. However it was much lesser in terms of rank when compared to other nations that have achieved a higher rate of urbanization and much less below the world urbanization population of 50 per cent (UNPD World Urbanization Prospects: The2009 Revision).

Urbanization implicates increase in population living in urban areas. An urban area, according to the Census definition, is one that has (i) a minimum population of 5,000; (ii) at least 75 per cent of the male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; and (iii) a density of population of at least 400 per square kilometre (1,000 per square mile). With increase in population, the country’s urban population also increased. The Census 2001 reports that almost 29 percent of Indians in urban India.

Apart from increase in population the other factors that have contributed to rapid urbanization are migration from rural sector to urban. This happened mainly on account of the increasing infrastructural development to facilitate growth for corporate sector. While the major factor in initiating migration from rural areas to urban sector was increased landlessness in agricultural sector, reduced livelihood potentials in rural sector and increasing employment opportunities in the urban sector with the growth of industries. The high level of income in urban areas, education, availabilities of basic amenities, improved infrastructural facilities and increase in medical facilities were some other factors that helped increase rapid urbanization.

Among the states, Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized in large states with almost half of its population living in more than 600 towns. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka and Haryana are the other states where the urban population exceeds 30 per cent of the total. In terms of absolute number of people living in urban areas, Maharashtra led with 41 million in 2001, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Orissa, Assam and Bihar are very low in terms of urbanization and remained largely agricultural states, where less than 20 per cent of the population lives in urban areas. These are also the states with low per capita incomes since their residents have little recourse to the opportunities in cities.

The basic features of urban development is increasing infrastructural facilities, access to improved communication and information technologies, qualitative living standard, high income spending, consumerism and improvement in other socio economic parameters. These areas are also distinguished from the rural counterpart in terms of demographic indicators like low birth rate, low mortality, increased longevity, etc. the issues of migration, unemployment are linked to increasing the urbanization in the country. The seasonal unemployment, disguised unemployment and other factors that reduce the rural livelihood potential leads to increased migration towards urban sector. Improvements in connectivity through better communication and transport facilities have also made the migration, which was transitory in nature to permanent migration.

Besides, the increase in population the other factors that increased the urbanization in India are the development of the sub urban areas that got upgraded to the urban sector. Thus the peripheral areas got the status of urban sector. Some other semi urban areas also got upgraded to urban sector with increased amenities and setting up of institutions. Increase in village population with improved civic amenities also made these villages get the status.

Along with increased urbanization some issues emerged with the urbanization in India. The increase in slums in urban sector became a major problem. Unplanned growth of residential and commercial structures, inadequate supply of drinking water facility and increase in traffic were some other adverse effects that emerged with increase in urbanization. Also increasing urban population in absence of proportionate increase in employment opportunities also increased urban rate of unemployment.

The civic amenities were also curtailed with more persons to benefit from the existing ones. Some of the cities across India are failing to provide essential resources to the residents. Some states have managed their cities better than others. Karnataka is now reportedly the first state to plan for night shelters for the urban homeless. To address some of the issues, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and multiple government schemes were initiated by the central and state governments. Still the urban infrastructure is inadequate to cope even with the present rate of urbanization, with many cities turning into haphazard concrete jungles, grappling with growing problems of traffic, garbage, water and power supply.

The increase in property and assets prices is some other repercussions of the urban development. Increase in essential commodity price and non essential commodities price resulted as the demands from urban sector grew. However issues on inflation and increasing prices pertained to whole of India which has failed to increase the supply in tandem with growing population.

Conclusion:
Urbanization in India increased rapidly in post independence era. Despite the rapid growth rate the country was ranked much lower as compared to other developing nations of South East Asia. The major factors that affected urbanization were increase in population, migration from rural areas and peripheral suburban and semi-urban areas getting the urban status. However with the urban growth issues related to development also emerged. There has been increase in slums, reduction in civic amenities, increase in property prices, increase in prices of other essentials and non essential commodities.