Test: India Year Book - 3 - UPSC MCQ

Ans: d

Explanation: To ensure availability of minimum quantity of food grains at a subsidized rate to the families living below the poverty line, the Government launched the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in June, 1997. It was intended to benefit about 6 crore poor families in the country for whom a quantity of 72 lakh tonnes of food grains was earmarked annually at the rate of 10 kg per family per month.

Ans: b

Explanation: In order to make TPDS more focused and targeted towards the poorest section of population, the ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ (AAY) was launched in December, 2000 for one crore poor families.

Ans: a

Explanation: As a major policy intervention to further improve our food security measures, the Government notified the National Food Security Act, 2013 on September 10, 2013. The Act provides for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity. The Act makes a paradigm shift in approach to food security – from welfare to a rights based one.

The Act provides for coverage of upto 75 per cent of the rural population and upto 50 per cent of the urban population for receiving subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population. The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at subsidized prices of Rs. 3, 2 and 1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively. The existing AAY households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 kg of food grains per household per month.

Ans: c

Explanation: Indigent senior citizens of 65 years of age or above who are not getting pension under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) are provided 10 kg. of food grains per person per month free of cost under the Annapurna scheme.

Ans: a

Explanation: Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI)is at Hapur (U.P)

Answer: d

Explanation: There are only five industries at present (related to security, strategic and environmental concerns), where an industrial license is currently required. These are:—

(i) Electronic aerospace and defence equipment: all types;

(ii) Industrial explosives, including detonating fuses, safety fuses, gunpowder, nitrocellulose and matches;

(iii) Specified hazardous chemicals i.e. (i) Hydrocyanic acid and its derivatives; (ii) Phosgene and its derivatives; and (iii) Isocyanates and Disocyanates of hydrocarbon, not elsewhere specified (example Methyl Isocyanate);

(iv) Cigars and cigarettes of tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes;

(v) Distillation and brewing of alcoholic drinks. (Note:- Powers for regulation of potable alcohol have been vested with the states as per Supreme Court decision in 1997 in line with the constitutional provisions).

Answer: c

Explanation: Government has enacted the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 stepping up the investment limit in Plant and Machinery to rupees five crore for small enterprises and rupees ten crore for medium enterprises, so as to reduce the regulatory interface with the majority of the industrial units.

Answer: c

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures industrial performance compiled and released every month by Central Statistics Office (CSO). It uses fixed weight and base. CSO revised the base year of IIP in June, 2011 from 1993-94 to 2004-05. The revised series has an enlarged and more representative basket of the industrial sector. The weighing diagram for this series is drawn using relative importance of the sectors in GDP, which is based on the national accounts. IIP is categorized in sectoral and use-based classifications.

Answer: d

Explanation: Eight Investment regions along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project have been announced as NIMZs. They are: i. Ahmedabad-Dholera Investment region, Gujarat; ii. Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park city near Aurangabad, Maharashtra; iii. Manesar-Bawal Investment region, Haryana; iv. Khushkhera- Bhiwadi-Neemrana Investment region, Rajasthan; v. Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow Investment region, Madhya Pradesh; vi. Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Investment region, Uttar Pradesh; vii. Dighi Port Industrial area, Maharashtra; and viii. Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar region in Rajasthan.

Twelve NIMZs outside the DMIC region have also been given in-principle approval. They are: Nagpur in Maharashtra; Prakasam in Andhra Pradesh; Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh; Medak in Telangana; Tumkur in Karnataka; Kolar in Karnataka; Bidar in Karnataka; Gulbarga in Karnataka; Kalinganagar in Odisha; Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu; Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh and Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh.

Answer: a

Explanation: The Prime Minister of India launched the ‘Make in India’ global initiative on September 25, 2014 to invite both domestic and foreign investors to invest in India. The initiative was simultaneously launched in the capital of all states and in several Indian Embassies/High Commissions where timezones permitted. Few other Indian Embassies also organized ‘Make in India’ interactions after the launch.

The ‘Make in India’ initiative is based on four pillars, which have been identified to give boost to entrepreneurship in India, not only in manufacturing but also other sectors. The four pillars are:

(i) New Processes: ‘Make in India’ recognizes ‘ease of doing business’ as the single most important factor to promote entrepreneurship. A number of initiatives have already been undertaken to ease business environment.

(ii) New Infrastructure: Government intends to develop industrial corridors and smart cities, create world class infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology and high-speed communication. Innovation and research activities are supported through fast paced registration system and improved infrastructure for IPR registration. The requirement of skills for industry are to be identified and accordingly development of workforce to be taken up.

(iii) New Sectors: ‘Make in India’ has identified 25 sectors in manufacturing, infrastructure and service activities and detailed information is being shared through interactive web-portal and professionally developed brochures. FDI has been opened up in Defence production, Insurance, Medical devices, Construction and Railway infrastructure in a big way.

(iv) New Mindset: In order to partner with industry in economic development of the country, Government shall act as a facilitator and not a regulator.

Answer: a

Explanation: E-Biz portal would provide a 24x7, online, real-time platform for all central regulatory clearances. In partnership with state governments state level clearances also be brought on this portal. A dedicated cell will substantially revamp the query handling process. While exhaustive FAQ on the portal will help the investor in finding answers instantly in an interactive way, human interface has been mandated to reply latest in 48 to 72 hours. For this purpose nodal officers have been identified in all key Ministries. A pro-active approach would be deployed to track visitors for their geographical location, interest and real time user behaviour. Subsequent visits will be customised for the visitor, based on the information collected. Visitors registered on the website or raising queries will be followed up with relevant information and newsletter.

Answer: c

Explanation: The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project is being developed on both sides of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor as a global manufacturing and investment destination and has made significant strides since ‘in principle’ approval accorded in August, 2007. DMIC industrial cities are being benchmarked against recently established industrial cities in other parts of the world. An institutional framework with a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), viz. Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) was set up for project development, coordination and implementation of the projects. DMIC Project Implementation Trust Fund was set up in September, 2012. The land for the new industrial cities will be the contribution of the state government.

Answer: d

Explanation: In order to give a fillip to investment promotion and handholding services to foreign investors particularly the SMEs and family owned overseas enterprises in a structured manner, Government of India has launched a special purpose vehicle named ‘Invest India’, a joint venture between the DIPP of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and industry (FICCI) and State Governments. ‘Invest India’ acts as a first point of reference to provide inputs on all aspects of doing business in India, guide investors on all policy and regulatory issues, undertake specific studies on relevant sectors and technologies for India, and provide handholding services to investors.

Answer: a

Explanation: The term Intellectual Property (IP) reflects the idea that its subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect. These could be in the form of patents; trademarks; geographical indications; industrial designs; layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits; plant variety protection and copyright. IP, protected through law, like any other form of property can be a matter of trade, that is, it can be owned, bequeathed, sold or bought. The major features that distinguish it from other forms are their intangibility and non-exhaustion by consumption. IP is also the foundation of knowledge-based economy. It pervades all sectors of economy and is increasingly becoming important for ensuring competitiveness of the enterprises.

An Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has been set up at Chennai to hear appeals against the decisions of Registrar of Trademarks, Geographical Indications and the Controller of Patents.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Intellectual Property Management (RGNIIPM) was set up in 2012 at Nagpur as an institute of international importance which would provide training, education, research and function as a think tank on Intellectual Property Rights.

Answer: b

Explanation: India is the second largest manufacturer of cement after China in the world. The cement industry comprises of 190 large cement plants operating under 64 companies with an installed capacity of 324.50 million tonnes. There are approximately 360 mini cement plants with an estimated capacity of 11.10 million tonnes per annum. Total cement production was 256.04 million tonnes and 270.09 million tonnes during 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively. India is producing different varieties of cement like Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), Portland Blast furnace Slag Cement (PBFS), Oil Well Cement, White Cement, etc. These different varieties of cement are produced as per the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) specifications and its quality is comparable with the best in the world.

 Answer: c

Explanation: India continued to reign as one of the fastest growing paper market in the world. The growing knowledge base coupled with synergistic contributions from flagship schemes of the government, namely, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, (SSA) Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary School (IEDSS), Adult Education and Skill Development Scheme, and Right to Education assured a robust demand for paper and paper board. The industry was delicenced in July, 1997. As per the present policy, FDI up to 100 per cent is allowed on the automatic route for the pulp and paper sector.

Answer: c

Explanation: Ferrous castings are pivotal to the growth and development of engineering industries since these constitute essential intermediates for automobiles, industrial machinery, power plants, chemical and fertilizer plants, etc. Indian foundry industry is the fifth largest in the world. This industry is now well established in the country and is spread across a wide spectrum consisting of large, medium, small and tiny sector. The salient feature of the foundry industry in India is its geographical clustering. Advanced countries like USA, Japan, Germany are unlikely to add much capacity due to stringent pollution control norms there. India can thus have a dominant presence in this field and can become an important casting supplier to the world. The production of steel castings and C.I. castings in 2013-14 was 456,960.53 tonnes and in 2014-15 is 480,092.00 tonnes. The export and import of casting in 2013-14 was Rs. 6,437.75 crore and Rs. 455.04 crore respectively whereas in 2014-15 the same was Rs. 6,824.18 crore and Rs. 458.72 crore respectively.

Answer: b

The current series of index numbers of wholesale prices (Base: 2004-05=100) was introduced from September, 2010. The series has 676 commodities with 5,482 quotations.

Answer: a

The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) was launched on April 1, 1999, for a period of five years, and was subsequently extended upto March 31, 2007. The Scheme provides for interest reimbursement/capital subsidy/ margin money subsidy and has been devised to bridge the gap between the cost of interest and the capital component to ease up the working capital requirement and to reduce the transaction cost, etc. The Scheme is an important tool to infuse financial support to the textiles industry and helps it to capitalize on the vibrant and expanding global and domestic markets, through technology upgradation, cost effectiveness, quality production, efficiency and global competitiveness.

Answer: b

Explanation: In order to facilitate and empower khadi spinners and weavers to chart out a sustainable path for growth, income generation and better work environment and to enable them to carry out their spinning and weaving work effectively ‘Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans’ was introduced in 2008-09. Under this Scheme, financial assistance for construction of worksheds is provided to khadi artisans belonging to BPL category through the khadi institutions with which the khadi artisans are associated.

Answer: b

Explanation: Maharatna Scheme

The Government has introduced the Maharatna scheme in February, 2010 with the objective to delegate enhanced powers to the Boards of identified large size Navratna CPSEs so as to facilitate expansion of their operations, both in domestic as well as global markets. The Government has conferred Maharatna status to 7 CPSEs namely, (i) Bharat Heavy Electricals, (ii) Coal India Ltd. (iii) GAIL India Ltd. (iv) Indian Oil Corporation Limited, (v) NTPC Limited, (vi) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited and (vii) Steel Authority of India Limited.

Navratna Scheme

The Government had introduced the Navratna scheme in 1997 in order to identify public sector companies that have comparative advantages and support them in their drive to become global giants. Presently there are 16 Navratna CPSEs viz., (i) Bharat Electronics Limited, (ii) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, (iii) Engineers India Limited, (iv) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (v) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, (vi) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, (vii) National Aluminium Company Limited, (viii) National Building Construction Corporation Limited (ix) Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, (x) NMDC Limited, (xi) Oil India Ltd, (xii) Power Finance Corporation Limited, (xiii) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, (xiv) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, (xv) Rural Electrification Corporation of India Limited and (xvi) Shipping Corporation of India Limited.

Miniratna Scheme

The Government had introduced the Miniratna scheme in 1997 in pursuance of the objective to make the public sector more efficient and competitive and to grant enhanced autonomy and delegation of powers to the profit making public sector enterprises. The enhanced powers given to Miniratna CPSEs include the power to (i) incur capital expenditure, (ii) enter into joint ventures, (iii) set up technological and strategic alliances and (iv) formulate schemes of human resources management. The concerned administrative Ministries are empowered to declare a CPSE as a Miniratna if it fulfils the eligibility conditions. Presently, there are 71 Miniratna CPSEs (53 category-I and 18 category-II).

Answer: d

Explanation: All the companies, including the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are governed by the provisions of Section-135 of the Companies Act, 2013 which deals with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the CSR Rules notified there under by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs which are effective from 1.4.2014. Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 lists the possible activities which can be considered by companies for undertaking their CSR activities/ projects. The companies which meet the eligiblity criteria mentioned in Section — 135 of Companies Act, 2013 are mandated to spend, in every financial year, at least 2 per cent of the average net profit of the three preceding financial years, in pursuance of their CSR policy. Under the extent CSR Rules of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, all companies including CPSEs are mandated to spend the entire amount allocated under CSR during the year of allocation itself and if a company fails to spend such amount, the board of the company shall, in its report, specify the reasons for not spending the amount during the same year.

Answer: c

The Government of India introduced the system of MoU in the year 1986, based on recommendations given by the Arjun Sengupta Committee report (1984). The report recommended that the CPSEs enter into agreements with their administrative ministries for five years, while progress would be reviewed annually. The MoU system was given broader thrust by the Government after the announcement of the New Industrial Policy of 1991. In view of the above policy statement, the scope of MoU system has been extended to cover nearly all CPSEs over a period of time. The specific objectives of the MoU system are to:

(i) improve the performance of CPSEs through increased management autonomy;

(ii) remove the haziness in goals and objectives;

(iii) evaluate management performance through objective criteria;

(iv) provide incentives for better future performance;

Answer: c

Explanation: Important Features of National Mineral Policy, 2008:

Sequel to the recommendations of the Hoda Committee which was constituted by the Planning

Commission to review the National Mineral Policy, a New National Mineral Policy, 2008 was

approved by the Government. The policy advocates:

(i) Use of state-of-the-art technology for exploration.

(ii) Zero waste mining.

(iii) Development of capital market structures to attract risk investment into survey and prospecting.

(iv) Transparency in allocation of concessions.

(v) Auction of ore bodies prospected at public response.

(vi) Independent Mining Administrative Tribunal.

(vii) A framework of sustainable development to take care of biodiversity issues, etc.