170. A village loses 28% of its population to water scarcity, and then half of those remaining move for work. What is the ratio of initial to final population?
[RRB Group D (3 February, Shift 1) — 2026]
(A) 107:87
(B) 25:11
(C) 106:83
(D) 25:9
Answer: (D) 25:9
Explanation: Starting with 100 people, 28 leave and 72 remain. Half of these then depart, leaving 36. Thus the original-to-final ratio is 100:36, which simplifies to 25:9 regardless of the actual village population.
169. After 40% of villagers leave and then 10% of the remainder leave, what is the ratio of initial to final population?
[RRB Group D (8 January, Shift 3) — 2026]
(A) 52:32
(B) 50:23
(C) 57:32
(D) 50:27
Answer: (D) 50:27
Explanation: If the original village population is treated as 100 units, a 40 percent loss leaves 60. Another 10 percent of those 60 depart, so 54 remain. The ratio 100:54 simplifies to 50:27.
168. For IBRD, which statements are correct:
(1) it lends to middle-income countries;
(2) it works single-handedly against poverty;
(3) it was created for post-war European reconstruction?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2025]
(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: IBRD makes loans and provides guarantees mainly to middle-income and creditworthy lower-income economies. Created at Bretton Woods in 1944, it first supported reconstruction after World War II. It works with other World Bank Group institutions, so it does not act alone.
167. In which year did the World Trade Organization start functioning?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (10 June, Shift 2) — 2025]
(A) 1995
(B) 2001
(C) 2000
(D) 1991
Answer: (A) 1995
Explanation: The WTO commenced on 1 January 1995 after the Uruguay Round and Marrakesh Agreement. It succeeded the GATT trading system and has a broader legal framework for services and intellectual property, along with agreements addressing merchandise trade.
166. WTO rules
(1) cover goods and services;
(2) address tariff and non-tariff barriers;
(3) have led India to ease quantitative import restrictions.
Which are correct?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (11 June, Shift 3) — 2025]
(A) 2 and 3 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: WTO agreements cover services under GATS as well as goods under GATT-linked agreements. Market access and non-discrimination are central aims. India has adjusted import restrictions and tariffs under its commitments, although permitted safeguards and other restrictions remain.
165. What is an important benefit of foreign direct investment to a developing economy?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (19 June, Shift 2) — 2025]
(A) Higher taxation by definition
(B) A trade deficit by definition
(C) Guaranteed currency depreciation
(D) Technology access and employment
Answer: (D) Technology access and employment
Explanation: FDI may introduce production methods, managerial skills, capital and access to overseas markets. New factories and services may create employment and supply-chain opportunities. Outcomes vary by sector and policy; FDI does not inherently cause trade deficits or currency depreciation.
164. What population did the National Commission on Population project for India in 2036?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (9 June, Shift 3) — 2025]
(A) 1.38 billion
(B) 1.32 billion
(C) 1.52 billion
(D) 1.45 billion
Answer: (C) 1.52 billion
Explanation: The government’s Population Projections for India and States 2011–2036 project about 1.52 billion inhabitants in 2036. This is a projection based on fertility, mortality and migration assumptions; unlike a census, it is not a direct headcount.
163. Which international organisation promotes free trade and global trade cooperation?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (7 August, Shift 1) — 2025]
(A) WHO
(B) WTO
(C) UNESCO
(D) IMF
Answer: (B) WTO
Explanation: The World Trade Organization sets multilateral trading rules, hosts negotiations and provides dispute-settlement procedures. The IMF principally supports international monetary and balance-of-payments stability, while the WHO and UNESCO focus on health and education, science and culture respectively.
162. How is India’s population distributed across regions?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (7 August, Shift 1) — 2025]
(A) Evenly everywhere
(B) Most densely in deserts
(C) Mostly in hills
(D) Unevenly across regions
Answer: (D) Unevenly across regions
Explanation: India’s population is distributed unevenly. Alluvial plains and metropolitan areas have relatively high densities, while difficult terrain, deserts and remote forested regions generally sustain smaller concentrations. Water, agriculture, infrastructure and job opportunities are important factors.
161. What growth rate did the IMF April 2025 World Economic Outlook project for India in 2025?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (13 August, Shift 1) — 2025]
(A) 6.2%
(B) 5.6%
(C) 6.5%
(D) 4.8%
Answer: (A) 6.2%
Explanation: The April 2025 IMF World Economic Outlook projected India’s growth at 6.2 percent. A projection is conditional on information available when the report was prepared; newer forecasts and actual national-accounts estimates can differ from it.
