Q140. Which industries were regarded as the commanding heights of the economy during 1950–1980?
[SSC GD Constable, 18 May 2026]
(A) Textiles
(B) Handicrafts
(C) Agriculture
(D) Heavy industry, steel and energy
Answer: (D) Heavy industry, steel and energy
Explanation: India’s early development strategy assigned the public sector a leading role in steel, energy and heavy industries. These capital-intensive activities produced essential inputs for other sectors and were treated as strategic foundations for economic development.
Q139. What is meant by a sunrise industry?
[DSSSB Court Attendant, 6 Jun 2026]
(A) A rapidly growing industry with future potential
(B) An industry in permanent decline
(C) An industry surviving only on imports
(D) An industry established exclusively in villages
Answer: (A) A rapidly growing industry with future potential
Explanation: A sunrise industry is an emerging or rapidly expanding sector with favourable long-term prospects. The expression often applies to technology-intensive or innovative activities. It contrasts with mature or declining industries and does not refer to a factory’s working hours.
Q138. The Industrial Policy of 1991 led to which of the following changes?
[RRB NTPC UG, 7 May 2026]
(A) Abolition of licensing for most industries
(B) Reduced private-sector participation
(C) Expansion of public-sector monopolies
(D) Nationalisation of most industries
Answer: (A) Abolition of licensing for most industries
Explanation: The 1991 reforms dismantled industrial licensing for most sectors and encouraged private investment and competition. Along with trade and investment liberalisation, these steps changed the location, ownership and growth patterns of Indian manufacturing industries.
Q137. Which of the following is a large-scale industry?
[RRB NTPC UG, 18 Jun 2026]
(A) Handloom weaving
(B) Steel plants
(C) Household food processing
(D) Pottery
Answer: (B) Steel plants
Explanation: Integrated steel plants involve large fixed investments, extensive equipment and complex production systems. They are therefore classified as large-scale industries. Traditional handloom weaving and pottery generally represent smaller-scale or household production, although individual enterprises can vary considerably.
Q136. What was a positive effect of liberalisation and globalisation on Indian industry?
[SSC GD Constable, 18 May 2026]
(A) Closure of every domestic industry
(B) Greater access to technology and international markets
(C) Elimination of foreign investment
(D) Complete isolation from trade
Answer: (B) Greater access to technology and international markets
Explanation: Liberalisation and globalisation enabled many Indian firms to acquire modern technology, seek foreign investment and reach overseas markets. Increased competition also encouraged efficiency and product improvement, though benefits differed across industries and regions.
Q135. Where was India’s first jute mill established?
[DSSSB MTS, 29 Apr 2026]
(A) Surat
(B) Kanpur
(C) Rishra
(D) Nagpur
Answer: (C) Rishra
Explanation: India’s first jute mill opened at Rishra near Kolkata in 1855. The Hooghly region later became a major centre because of raw jute supplies, river transport, Kolkata port facilities, labour and access to markets.
Q134. Which industries were major modern industries in India at independence?
[DSSSB MTS, 1 May 2026]
(A) Electronics and aircraft
(B) Automobiles and computers
(C) Cotton and jute textiles
(D) Robotics and biotechnology
Answer: (C) Cotton and jute textiles
Explanation: Cotton and jute textiles were among the established modern industries inherited at independence. Their development was concentrated in areas such as Bombay, Ahmedabad and the Hooghly belt, while India’s diversified heavy-industrial base expanded substantially after 1947.
Q133. Which city is popularly called the Detroit of India?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector, 15 Mar 2026]
(A) Pune
(B) Kolkata
(C) Jaipur
(D) Chennai
Answer: (D) Chennai
Explanation: Chennai gained the nickname Detroit of India through its major automobile manufacturing and component industries. Vehicle factories, suppliers, engineering skills, ports and transport links produced a specialised industrial cluster in and around the metropolitan region.
Q132. In which year was the industrial licensing system introduced in India?
[SSC GD Constable, 4 May 2026]
(A) 1948
(B) 1951
(C) 1965
(D) 1991
Answer: (B) 1951
Explanation: Industrial licensing became closely associated with the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act of 1951. Licensing governed entry and expansion in many industries under planned development; the 1991 reforms subsequently removed most of these restrictions.
Q131. Which change was associated with the New Industrial Policy of 1991?
[DSSSB MTS, 26 Jul 2026]
(A) Compulsory public ownership of all factories
(B) Removal of licensing for most industries
(C) Ban on foreign technology
(D) Abolition of private business
Answer: (B) Removal of licensing for most industries
Explanation: A major feature of the New Industrial Policy was delicensing most industries. This reduced bureaucratic controls on investment and capacity. Other reforms broadened private participation and encouraged technology transfer, foreign investment and competition.
