20. Which model guided India’s Second Five-Year Plan?
[MPPSC General Studies 2015 — 2015]
(A) Solow model
(B) Domar model
(C) Robinson model
(D) Mahalanobis model
Answer: (D) Mahalanobis model
Explanation: The Second Plan followed P. C. Mahalanobis’s emphasis on capital-goods and heavy industries. The strategy prioritised building capacity for long-term domestic production over immediate consumer-goods expansion. It strongly influenced public-sector investment and the 1956 industrial policy.
19. Which group of steel plants was established after Independence?
[RPSC RAS Prelims 2013 — 2013]
(A) Jamshedpur, Durgapur, Bhilai
(B) Bhilai, Durgapur, Bhadravati
(C) Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela
(D) Kulti–Burnpur, Visakhapatnam, Salem
Answer: (C) Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela
Explanation: Bhilai, Durgapur and Rourkela were major public-sector integrated steel projects developed after India became independent. Jamshedpur and Bhadravati originated earlier. Their establishment demonstrates the Second Plan period’s emphasis on heavy industrial capacity and foreign technical collaboration.
18. Which industrial initiatives were proposed to support manufacturing:
National Investment and Manufacturing Zones;
single-window clearances;
Technology Acquisition and Development Fund?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2012]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Manufacturing policies encouraged large planned investment zones, simpler clearances and technology upgrading. National Investment and Manufacturing Zones addressed industrial land and facilities; single-window mechanisms reduced procedural delays; and technology-development support helped firms modernise production. All three were associated with manufacturing promotion.
17. Which of these were among the eight core industries: cement; fertilisers; natural gas; refinery products; textiles?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2012]
(A) Cement and textiles only
(B) Fertilisers, natural gas and refinery products only
(C) Cement, fertilisers, natural gas and refinery products
(D) All five
Answer: (C) Cement, fertilisers, natural gas and refinery products
Explanation: Cement, fertilizers, natural gas and petroleum refinery products are core-industry components, alongside coal, crude oil, steel and electricity. Textiles are a major manufacturing segment but do not belong to the eight-core index. The index’s total IIP weight changes with base-year revisions.
16. Why did India import coal despite domestic reserves:
1. To deliberately conserve all domestic coal.
2. Insufficient domestic supply for thermal power plants.
3. Steelmakers’ need for coking coal.
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2012]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: India imports coal partly because domestic supply cannot always meet thermal-power requirements and because steel producers need suitable coking coal. There was no general policy of keeping Indian coal reserves unused for the future. Quantity and grade both matter.
15. Which is NOT a feature of a limited liability partnership?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2010]
(A) It must have fewer than twenty partners
(B) Partners may directly manage it
(C) Internal rules can be agreed by partners
(D) It has perpetual succession
Answer: (A) It must have fewer than twenty partners
Explanation: An LLP is a distinct legal entity with perpetual succession and flexible internal agreements among partners. Unlike the statement suggested, there is no universal limit requiring fewer than twenty partners. LLPs combine limited liability with operational flexibility suited to many professional and commercial firms.
14. What did the erstwhile Forward Markets Commission regulate?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2010]
(A) Currency futures
(B) Commodity futures
(C) Equity futures
(D) All commodity and financial futures
Answer: (B) Commodity futures
Explanation: The Forward Markets Commission historically supervised commodity futures trading. It did not serve as the general regulator of currency or equity derivatives. The institution was subsequently merged with SEBI in 2015, so the response concerns the examination’s earlier regulatory setting.
13. Under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, which were objectives:
infrastructure development;
attracting overseas investment;
exclusively promoting services exports?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2010]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Special Economic Zones aim to attract investment, develop infrastructure and promote exports of goods as well as services. Therefore infrastructure and foreign investment are objectives, but the assertion that only service exports are promoted is incorrect. The Act became operational in 2006.
12. Consider:
1. MMTC was a major Indian international trading enterprise.
2. Neelachal Ispat Nigam was established with MMTC and the Odisha government.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2009]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: MMTC was a prominent public-sector international trading enterprise, handling metals and other commodities. Neelachal Ispat Nigam was developed through participation including MMTC and Odisha-based public bodies. Both statements describe industrial and trade arrangements relevant at the question’s examination date.
11. Which statement about public-sector steel plants is incorrect?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2005]
(A) Rourkela was established with Soviet collaboration
(B) Salem is an important stainless-steel producer
(C) Maharashtra Elektrosmelt was associated with SAIL
(D) Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is linked to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam
Answer: (A) Rourkela was established with Soviet collaboration
Explanation: Rourkela Steel Plant was established with West German technical collaboration rather than Soviet assistance. Bhilai and Bokaro were Soviet-assisted projects. Salem specialises in stainless steel, while Visakhapatnam is associated with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam. The question tests historical institutional associations.
