Q141. Regarding the Multidimensional Poverty Index, which statements are correct:
(1) It uses the Alkire–Foster method;
(2) NITI Aayog’s index has twelve indicators;
(3) Maternal Health and Bank Account appear in both India’s and UNDP’s indices?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 2 only
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: India’s National MPI employs the Alkire–Foster approach and covers twelve indicators. Its two additional indicators, maternal health and bank accounts, are absent from the ten-indicator global MPI. The third statement therefore incorrectly identifies them as common to both indices.
Q140. What is the chief purpose of the higher PMAY-Gramin allocation announced in the 2026–27 Union Budget?
[RRB Group D (2025 cycle), 21 Aug 2026 Shift 1 2026]
(A) Expand rural railways
(B) Modernise agricultural markets
(C) Expand digital banking
(D) Construct permanent homes for eligible rural families
Answer: (D) Construct permanent homes for eligible rural families
Explanation: PMAY-Gramin assists eligible rural households in obtaining pucca homes with basic amenities. The higher allocation relates to rural housing rather than railway infrastructure, banking technology or agricultural markets. It is a housing-focused welfare intervention administered through the rural development framework.
Q139. Which PMAY-Gramin provision signifies women’s empowerment through ownership, as discussed in the 2026–27 Budget?
[RRB Group D (2025 cycle), 6 Aug 2026 Shift 2 2026]
(A) Women-only housing boards
(B) Houses in women’s names or joint spousal names
(C) Housing only through women-led SHGs
(D) Houses exclusively for women wage workers
Answer: (B) Houses in women’s names or joint spousal names
Explanation: PMAY-Gramin encourages house ownership in a woman’s name or jointly with her spouse. This strengthens women’s property rights and household security. The provision does not restrict assistance solely to women workers, housing boards or self-help-group applicants.
Q138. Arrange these initiatives in ascending order of launch:
(1) AMRUT,
(2) JNNURM,
(3) Jal Jeevan Mission,
(4) National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2025]
(A) 2, 4, 1, 3
(B) 4, 2, 1, 3
(C) 2, 4, 3, 1
(D) 4, 2, 3, 1
Answer: (A) 2, 4, 1, 3
Explanation: JNNURM began in 2005, the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy came in 2007, AMRUT was launched in 2015 and Jal Jeevan Mission followed in 2019. Their chronological sequence is therefore 2, 4, 1, 3.
Q137. Which statements about Indian Five-Year Plans are true:
(1) The First Plan drew on Harrod–Domar and prioritised agriculture;
(2) the Second Plan used the Mahalanobis approach to rapid industrialisation?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 10 Jun Shift 1 2025]
(A) Neither statement
(B) Statement 2 only
(C) Both statements
(D) Statement 1 only
Answer: (C) Both statements
Explanation: The First Plan, covering 1951–56, stressed food production, irrigation and agricultural recovery while drawing on the Harrod–Domar approach. The Second Plan, covering 1956–61, adopted the Mahalanobis strategy and favoured capital goods and heavy industries.
Q136. Which Five-Year Plan was formulated using the Harrod–Domar growth model?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 29 Aug Shift 2 2025]
(A) First
(B) Third
(C) Fifth
(D) Seventh
Answer: (A) First
Explanation: The First Five-Year Plan covered 1951–56 and drew on the Harrod–Domar framework, which links growth to savings and investment. Agricultural output, irrigation and infrastructure were prominent priorities, reflecting India’s food shortages in the years immediately after independence.
Q135. Which sector was the principal emphasis of India’s First Five-Year Plan, 1951–56?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 22 Aug Shift 1 2025]
(A) Information technology
(B) Privatisation of public enterprises
(C) Heavy industry
(D) Agriculture
Answer: (D) Agriculture
Explanation: India’s First Plan concentrated on increasing agricultural production, irrigation and the rural economy. Food security and rehabilitation were immediate priorities after independence. Heavy industrialisation became much more prominent under the subsequent Second Plan’s Mahalanobis strategy.
Q134. What was the central economic emphasis of India’s Second Five-Year Plan?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 4 Sep Shift 3 2025]
(A) Heavy industrialisation
(B) Expansion of services
(C) Tourism promotion
(D) Green Revolution
Answer: (A) Heavy industrialisation
Explanation: The Second Plan, implemented during 1956–61, sought to develop basic and capital-goods industries. Guided by the Mahalanobis model, it gave public-sector industrial investment a major role. Its emphasis differed markedly from the agricultural priorities of the First Plan.
Q133. Following Independence, cooperatives became an integral component of which Indian planning initiative?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 9 Jun Shift 2 2025]
(A) Five-Year Plans
(B) Industrial Policy Resolution
(C) Green Revolution
(D) Operation Flood
Answer: (A) Five-Year Plans
Explanation: Cooperative organisation was woven into India’s Five-Year Plans as a way to pool resources and develop rural production. The First Plan particularly promoted cooperation in agriculture and village reconstruction. Operation Flood was a later dairy-development programme, not the overarching planning framework.
Q132. Which NITI Aayog statements are true:
(1) established on 1 January 2018;
(2) succeeded the Planning Commission;
(3) NITI means National Institution for Transforming India;
(4) Prime Minister chairs it?
[BPSC DSO, 3 Aug 2025]
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) All four
(C) 2, 3 and 4
(D) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (C) 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: The establishment date was 1 January 2015, so the first statement is false. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission, its name expands to National Institution for Transforming India, and the Prime Minister serves as its chairperson.
Q131. Consider:
(1) NITI Aayog has seven guiding pillars;
(2) it has three specialised wings.
Which statement is correct?
[BPSC DSO, 3 Aug 2025]
(A) 2 only
(B) 1 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: NITI Aayog articulates seven guiding pillars, including cooperative federalism and people-centred governance. Its envisaged specialist structure contains Team India, Research and Consultancy wings. The two statements relate to its objectives and institutional design, respectively, and both are correct.