90. About India’s effective exchange rates, which are correct:
(1) a higher NEER means rupee appreciation;
(2) a higher REER improves export competitiveness;
(3) higher domestic relative inflation can widen the NEER–REER gap?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2022]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: NEER measures a trade-weighted nominal currency value; an increase signifies appreciation under the relevant index convention. REER adjusts for relative prices. An appreciating REER usually weakens price competitiveness, while inflation differences may widen the gap between the two indices.
89. Concerning foreign commercial borrowing, which are correct:
(1) tight US monetary policy can trigger capital flight;
(2) it may raise the servicing cost of foreign borrowings;
(3) domestic currency devaluation reduces exchange-rate risk?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2022]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Higher US interest rates can attract capital away from emerging economies. A weakening rupee raises the domestic-currency cost of unhedged foreign-currency debt. Devaluation therefore does not automatically reduce borrowing risk and can make repayments more expensive.
88. Which are correct about membership of India in
(1) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank,
(2) Missile Technology Control Regime and
(3) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2022]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: India belongs to the AIIB, an infrastructure-finance institution, as well as the MTCR export-control arrangement and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The three organisations have different mandates, illustrating the distinction between development finance, strategic trade controls and regional cooperation.
87. What is the official periodic counting of the population called?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (7 December, Shift 4) — 2022]
(A) Census
(B) Demographic index
(C) Estimation
(D) Registration record
Answer: (A) Census
Explanation: A census systematically enumerates a population at a specified reference time and gathers demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. It differs from sample surveys, which estimate population attributes, and vital registration systems, which record births and deaths continuously.
86. In which year was India’s first synchronous, complete decennial census conducted?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (1 December, Shift 3) — 2022]
(A) 1881
(B) 1872
(C) 1900
(D) 1860
Answer: (A) 1881
Explanation: The 1872 enumeration was not simultaneous throughout India. The first regularly organised, synchronous census followed in 1881 and inaugurated the decennial pattern. Both dates appear in examination questions because they represent different census milestones.
85. In which year was the first population census attempted in India?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (13 December, Shift 3) — 2022]
(A) 1872
(B) 1860
(C) 1900
(D) 1920
Answer: (A) 1872
Explanation: India’s earliest census enumeration began in 1872 under colonial administration. This was not a fully synchronous national count. The first complete, simultaneous decennial census was conducted in 1881, which is why both years feature in population-history questions.
84. Which state announced the caste-based population exercise called “Jaati Aadharit Ganana”?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (12 December, Shift 1) — 2022]
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Tripura
(D) Bihar
Answer: (D) Bihar
Explanation: Bihar announced a state-level caste-based enumeration to collect information on the social and economic composition of its population. Such a state survey is separate from the Union government’s decennial Census of India, which has its own legal and administrative framework.
83. What was India’s approximate decadal population growth rate between 2001 and 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (1 December, Shift 4) — 2022]
(A) 18.70%
(B) 15.70%
(C) 17.70%
(D) 16.70%
Answer: (C) 17.70%
Explanation: India’s population rose from roughly 1.03 billion in 2001 to 1.21 billion in 2011. The resulting decadal growth rate was about 17.7 percent. Decadal growth should be distinguished from the much smaller annual rate.
82. What was the literacy rate of India according to Census 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (9 December, Shift 4) — 2022]
(A) 75.04%
(B) 74.04%
(C) 77.04%
(D) 76.04%
Answer: (B) 74.04%
Explanation: Census 2011 placed the overall literacy rate at 74.04 percent, covering the population aged seven and above. The male literacy rate exceeded the female rate, though the gender literacy gap narrowed compared with the earlier census.
81. Which was the least populous Indian state according to Census 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (2 December, Shift 4) — 2022]
(A) Nagaland
(B) Sikkim
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Goa
Answer: (B) Sikkim
Explanation: Sikkim had the smallest population among Indian states at the 2011 Census. Goa and Arunachal Pradesh had larger resident counts. Comparisons must distinguish the smallest total population from the lowest population density, which can produce a different answer.
