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UPSC Prelims 2016

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2016 · Q4Indian EconomyDigital Payments & Financial Inclusionmoderate

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.

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)1 and 3 only
  3. (c)2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 3 only

2016 · Q6Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitseasy

The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

  1. (a)pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
  2. (b)plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
  3. (c)capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  4. (d)plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals
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Official answer(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

2016 · Q7Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industryeasy

Which one of the following is a purpose of 'UDAY', a scheme of the Government?

  1. (a)Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy
  2. (b)Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2018
  3. (c)Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time
  4. (d)Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies
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Official answer(d) Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies

2016 · Q8Indian EconomyFinancial Markets & Capital Marketsmoderate

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.

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2016 · Q13Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

What is/are the importance/importances of the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification'? 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. 2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2016 · Q15Indian EconomyInternational Institutions & Reportsmoderate

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?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2016 · Q16Current AffairsIndian Government Schemes & Initiativeseasy

'Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan' is a national campaign to

  1. (a)rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood
  2. (b)release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood
  3. (c)eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers
  4. (d)release the bonded labourers from their bondage and rehabilitate them
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Official answer(c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers

2016 · Q18Indian EconomyExternal Sector & Balance Of Paymentseasy

Which of the following best describes the term 'import cover', sometimes seen in the news?

  1. (a)It is the ratio of value of imports to the Gross Domestic Product of a country
  2. (b)It is the total value of imports of a country in a year
  3. (c)It is the ratio between the value of exports and that of imports between two countries
  4. (d)It is the number of months of imports that could be paid for by a country's international reserves
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Official answer(d) It is the number of months of imports that could be paid for by a country's international reserves

2016 · Q20Current AffairsInternational Organisations & Groupingsmoderate

With reference to 'Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)', consider the following statements : 1. It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO. 2. It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging. 3. It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2016 · Q21Indian EconomyAgriculture & Rural Developmentmoderate

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?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2016 · Q23Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationmoderate

Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'? 1. River basin is the unit of planning and management. 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level. 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2016 · Q24Indian EconomyAgriculture & Rural Developmenteasy

Why does the Government of India promote the use of 'Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture?

  1. (a)Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
  2. (b)Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
  3. (c)Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
  4. (d)It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
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Official answer(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil