37 questions from the UPSC 2016 examination.
37 questions
With reference to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), consider the following statements: 1. IMFC discusses matters of concern affecting the global economy, and advises the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the direction of its work. 2. The World Bank participates as observer in IMFC's meetings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q38-->
What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GSIII_Q4-->
With reference to 'IFC Masala Bonds', sometimes seen in the news, which of the statements given below is/are correct? 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of the World Bank. 2. They are the rupee-denominated bonds and are a source of debt financing for the public and private sector. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Recently, which one of the following currencies has been proposed to be added to the basket of IMF's SDR?
What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GSIII_Q7-->
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. 2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machinery, etc. 2. Loans received from foreign governments 3. Loans and advances granted to the States and Union Territories Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q46-->
Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?
With reference to 'Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach. 2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme. 3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at
What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GSIII_Q8-->
Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following has declared that ranking?
How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country? <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q37-->
Which of the following best describes the term “import cover”, sometimes seen in the news?
'Global Financial Stability Report' is prepared by the
Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q42-->
Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q45-->
What is/are the purpose/purposes of the 'Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR)' announced by RBI? 1. These guidelines help improve the transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining the interest rates on advances. 2. These guidelines help ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements: 1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year. 2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers. 2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme. 3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber’s death. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The term 'Base Erosion and Profit Shifting' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India? 1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts 2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations 3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration Select the correct answer using the code given below.
What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government's 'Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme' and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy 2. To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector 3. To reduce India's dependence on gold imports Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q39-->
The term 'Core Banking Solutions' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following statements best describes/describe this term? 1. It is a networking of a bank's branches which enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank on its network regardless of where they open their accounts. 2. It is an effort to increase RBI's control over commercial banks through computerization. 3. It is a detailed procedure by which a bank with huge non-performing assets is taken over by another bank. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms 'amber box', 'blue box' and 'green box' in the news?
The establishment of ‘Payment Banks’ is being allowed in India to promote financial inclusion. Which of the following statements is/are correct in this context? 1. Mobile telephone companies and supermarket chains that are owned and controlled by residents are eligible to be promoters of Payment Banks. 2. Payment Banks can issue both credit cards and debit cards. 3. Payment Banks cannot undertake lending activities. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Which one of the following is a purpose of 'UDAY', a scheme of the Government?
With reference to 'Financial Stability and Development Council', consider the following statements: 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister. 3. It monitors macroprudential supervision of the economy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GSIII_Q11-->
Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India. <!--qid:MAINS_2016_GS-III_Q41-->
Recently, India's first 'National Investment and Manufacturing Zone' was proposed to be set up in
There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing revenue expenditure 2. Introducing new welfare schemes 3. Rationalizing subsidies 4. Reducing import duty Select the correct answer using the code given below.