Civics Polity · General Awareness

Indian Governance and Policy

932 Questions

Indian Governance and Policy covers the implementation of government schemes, public finance, and bilateral relations. It evaluates the impact of administrative and constitutional bodies in India. This subject is a mainstay in civil services and state examination prelims.

Government schemesBilateral relationsPublic financeConstitutional bodiesTrade and commerce

Indian Governance and Policy Questions

Multiple choice

If the argument above is true, which of the following must also be true?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

The investigative journalists and the public at large believe that the bombings in Wreckville were politically inspired. However, the government report on the same day called it a racially motivated heinous act. During the last 5 years, all the terrorist strikes conducted by Dukhara, the world’s largest terrorist group, had a racial background. It is, therefore, certain that the attack on Wreckville was wrongly ascribed to the government agencies and the investigative reports were inspired by extraneous considerations.

 

  1. Dukhara is racially motivated.

  2. Investigative journalists are more painstaking than government agencies are.

  3. The government agencies investigated the Wreckville bombings independently.

  4. The bombings in Wreckville were definitely conducted by Dukhara.

  5. The population of Wreckville is made up of people from different nationalities.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Correct. All the terrorist strikes conducted by Dukhara over the past 5 years have been ascribed to racial background. So we might conclude that Dukhara is indeed racially motivated. Thus we can see that the conclusion becomes true if Dukhara is racially motivated. (2) What if investigative journalists had not been as painstaking. The conclusion will rather be strengthened. (3) Whether the investigation by the government departments was independent or not does not materially affect the outcome. There could at best be a doubt, but the conclusion is not altogether negated. (4) It is by no means certain that the bombings were carried out be Dukhara, though there are pointers to this. (5) 'Different nationalities' is not the same thing as different races.

Multiple choice

What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. To highlight the objections raised by some states against the proposed project to interlink all major rivers of India.

  2. To point out reasons, why the proposed interlinking of rivers could not be achieved in time.

  3. To critically analyse the pros and cons of such a project.

  4. None of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is not the answer because the objections by states is discussed only in the first paragraph. (3) is out of the scope of the passage. (2) is the answer because the passage extensively deals with the same.

Multiple choice

Which among the following can be inferred from the passage?

  1. The most important reason for the delay in the project is the objection raised by some states against it.

  2. Though the project had been well planned, the delay occurred because of unforeseen circumstances.

  3. The government Committee set up in 1999 to examine the project, was very positive about the projects out come.

  4. The drought of 2002 gave an impetus to the ongoing proposal of interlinking of India's major rivers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is not the answer because the passage mentions that it was one of the reasons and not the main reason.   (2) is not the answer because it is mentioned in the second paragraph that, 'all the complex engineering, economic, environmental and social issues involved in the project have never been carefully studied'. (3) is wrong because it is mentioned in the last line of the second paragraph that, 'the committee was ambivalent about the benefits of interlinking of the country's rivers'. (4) is the answer because it is mentioned in the first line of the last paragraph.

Multiple choice

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument, EXCEPT:

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

China and India have a similarly large pool of human resources. However, China is surging ahead of India in terms of achievements in the sporting arena. For every medal that India won in the last Olympic Games, China won seven. India, like always, failed to win any Gold medals while China won 40. The difference can clearly be attributed to the proliferation of State run sporting academies in China. These academies identify young children with sporting talent, and take these children under their wing. For the next decade or so, these children live, breathe, eat, and sleep their respective sport. It is no wonder that they turn into prodigies. India needs to pout in place a similar system if it is to achieve some level of international recognition as a sporting power.

  1. The Chinese, thanks to the gene pool originating from Huns and Mongols, are naturally stronger and faster.

  2. The authoritarian government in China can issue draconian diktats but the democratically elected government in India cannot.

  3. Indians traditionally pursue academic studies with a single-minded devotion.

  4. Corruption in sports in India is far more rampant than it is in China.

  5. Talent scouts in China are retired world champions in their respective sport who know talent when they see it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Can be inferred. If the Chinese are genetically stronger and faster than Indians, it would weaken the conclusion that the impact of the state run academies is responsible for the rise of China as a sporting super power. (2) Correct. The argument does not get weakened by the assertion that the Chinese government can issue draconian edicts. At best, it is irrelevant to the argument. (3) Can be inferred. If Indians choose to pursue studies instead of sports, it stands to reason that opening up of sporting academies would not yield desired results. (4) Can be inferred. If corruption is rampant in sports in India, it can be inferred that many Indians will make it to the teams without deserving to, and also, many Indians with talent but without the inclination to pursue a sporting career, will be able to bribe their way out of the academies. (5) Can be inferred. Since no Indians have been winning Gold medals, it means that they could not have been world champions in their sport. It means that Indian talent scouts might also not be able to spot talent.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) that is being implemented in several cities across the country are correct? I.          Pune was the first city where BRTS was launched II.         The selection of cities for BRTS is done by Union Urban Development Ministry III.        The cities selected for the BRTS receive grants under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme   for Small and   Medium Towns (UIDSSMT)

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II only

  4. I and III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Delhi was the first city where BRTS was launched. The selection of cities for BRTS is done by Union Urban Development Ministry. The cities selected for the BRTS receive grants under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme of the Union government

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about the National Investment Fund (NIF) are correct? I.          The allocation of capital for NIF is done in the Union Budget II.         The NIF is used in funding selected social sector schemes as well as for capital investment in profitable and revivable central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) III.        The NIF funds are managed by SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank

  1. I and II only

  2. II only

  3. II and III only

  4. III only

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Union government announced the setting up of National Investment Fund (NIF) in 2005.� The NIF is to be funded from the disinvestment of government stake in public sector units. 75 per cent of NIF's annual income is earmarked to finance selected social sector schemes and the remaining 25 per cent for capital investment in profitable and revivable central public sector undertakings (CPSUs). Under the existing guidelines, the disinvestment proceeds are deposited in the NIF. Which is managed by three public sector mutual funds � UTI Asset Management Company, SB I Funds Management and LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management Company.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about Tarun Das who stepped down from his position at a leading industry association recently is/are correct? I.          He was associated with the Confederation of Indian Industry II.         He stepped down as the Director General of the industry association III.        He was earlier conferred won the honorary CBE (Commander of British Empire) by Her Majesty, the Queen of England, for his contribution to Indo-British Partnership

  1. I and II only

  2. II only

  3. III and I only

  4. III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

HDFC and ICICI were in news recently over Union government concerns over foreign investment in their insurance ventures exceeding the ceiling of 26%. Which of the following statements about HDFC and ICICI Bank are correct? I.          ICICI Bank operates a life insurance JV with Prudential of the UK and a general insurance business with Lombard of Canada II.         HDFC has joint venture with Aegon of Netherlands for life insurance and Germany's Allianz for general insurance III.        Management control in the insurance businesses of both HDFC and ICICI Bank is with their foreign joint venture partners

  1. I only

  2. II only

  3. III and I only

  4. III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bank Rate - 6 per cent

Multiple choice

Avionics expert K. Radhakrishnan took over as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently. Which of the statements about him is/are correct? I.          He was the Director of Thiruvananthapuram based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) before his elevation as Chairman of ISRO. II.         He was the programme Director of the Cryogenic engine development project for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) III.        He was the Founder Chairman of Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System.

  1. I only

  2. II only

  3. I and II only

  4. I and III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

He did his B.A. from Punjab University, Chandigarh and LL.B. from University of Delhi, Delhi. The Congress emerged as the single largest party bagging 40 seats in the just-concluded assembly election, but managed to cobble a majority after securing unconditional support of seven independents.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about the decisions on disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently is/are true? I.          All listed CPSEs would offload a minimum of 10 per cent of their holding in the public domain II.         Foreign investment will be allowed in knowledge intensive industries only III.        All unlisted profitable state-owned entities would be listed

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II and III only

  4. III only

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

President Pratibha Patil went on an official visit to Cyprus recently. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding Cyprus? I.          Demetris Christofis is the President of Cyprus II.         Cyprus has supported India's claim for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council III.        A third of the territory of Cyprus is occupied by Greece following a military intervention by the latter in 1974.

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II and III only

  4. III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A third of the territory of Cyprus is occupied by Turkey following a military intervention by the latter in 1974.

Multiple choice

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram inaugurated the regional hub of the National Security Guard (NSG) that will cater to the Western India at the Police Training Academy, Mumbai recently. Which of the following statements about the NSG is/are true? I.          The NSG consists of two divisions Special Response Group and the Special Action Group II.         The Special Action Group looks after VVIP security III.        'Sarvatra Sarvottam Surakhsha' is the motto of NSG

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II and III only

  4. III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The NSG consists of two divisions: Special Rangers Group (SRG) & the Special Action Group (SAG). SRG looks after VVIP security while SAG is the strike force in anti-terrorist and anti-hijack operations. The NSG is modelled on Germany's GSG-9. The SAG is the offensive wing drawn from units of the Indian Army. The SRG consists of members from Central Police Organisations (CPOs) such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Police forces and other units. The NSG also runs the National Bomb Data Centre located at Manesar in Haryana.

Multiple choice

Actor Nandita Das was appointed chairperson of the Children's Films Society of India (CFSI) for a term of three years recently. Which of the following statements about the CFSI is/are true? I.          The CFSI was founded in 1955 II.         Mohan Kaul was the first President of CFSI III.        'Jaldeep', which went on to win the first prize at the 1957 Venice Film Festival for Children's Films, was the first movie produced by CFSI

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II and III only

  4. I and III only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hriday Nath Kunzru was the first President of CFSI