Q60. National Skills Qualification Framework:
(1) qualification can be obtained only through formal learning;
(2) it promotes movement between vocational and general education.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2017]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: NSQF recognises learning and skills acquired through formal, informal and non-formal routes. It establishes competency levels and facilitates pathways between general and vocational education. Therefore, formal-only certification is incorrect, while educational mobility is a valid objective.
Q59. Regarding National Career Service, are these statements correct:
(1) it belongs to the Department of Personnel and Training;
(2) it exclusively improves jobs for uneducated youth?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2017]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: National Career Service is administered through the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It links jobseekers, employers, training opportunities and career counselling for a broad range of candidates. It is neither a DoPT initiative nor confined exclusively to uneducated youth.
Q58. What does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan seek to accomplish?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2017]
(A) Universal literacy only through NGOs
(B) Connect higher-education institutions with local development challenges
(C) Concentrate exclusively on scientific research excellence
(D) Use special allocations for healthcare alone
Answer: (B) Connect higher-education institutions with local development challenges
Explanation: Unnat Bharat Abhiyan connects educational institutions with rural communities so that academic knowledge and appropriate technologies can address local problems. Its collaborative rural-development focus is broader than literacy alone and differs from schemes exclusively financing health or research.
Q57. On which date was NITI Aayog established?
[BPSC 63rd Prelims 2017]
(A) 1 January 2014
(B) 1 June 2014
(C) 1 January 2015
(D) 1 June 2015
Answer: (C) 1 January 2015
Explanation: NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 through an executive decision, replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister chairs the body, whose core purpose is development-policy advice and collaboration with states through cooperative federalism.
Q56. Who chaired the India Vision 2020 planning group associated with its preparation?
[MPPSC Prelims 2017]
(A) S. P. Gupta Committee
(B) Pant Committee
(C) Malhotra Committee
(D) Narasimham Committee
Answer: (A) S. P. Gupta Committee
Explanation: India Vision 2020 was prepared by a planning group chaired by S. P. Gupta. The exercise considered India’s longer-term development prospects beyond individual Five-Year Plan periods. The other named committees relate to different economic or administrative policy themes.
Q55. Arrange these by launch:
(I) Sukanya Samriddhi,
(II) Atal Pension,
(III) Make in India,
(IV) Jan Dhan Yojana.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2017]
(A) IV, III, I, II
(B) I, II, III, IV
(C) III, II, I, IV
(D) IV, I, II, III
Answer: (A) IV, III, I, II
Explanation: Jan Dhan Yojana began in August 2014, followed by Make in India in September 2014. Sukanya Samriddhi began in January 2015 and Atal Pension Yojana in May 2015. Their correct order is IV, III, I, II.
Q54. Arrange (1) Jan Dhan, (2) Digital Gender Atlas, (3) Suraksha Bima, (4) MUDRA Bank by launch date.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2017]
(A) 1, 2, 4, 3
(B) 3, 2, 1, 4
(C) 2, 1, 3, 4
(D) 3, 1, 2, 4
Answer: (A) 1, 2, 4, 3
Explanation: Jan Dhan started in August 2014, the Digital Gender Atlas in March 2015, MUDRA in April 2015 and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana in May 2015. That sequence corresponds to 1, 2, 4, 3.
Q53. What economic model guided India’s Second Five-Year Plan?
[WBCS Prelims 2017]
(A) Harrod–Domar model
(B) Solow model
(C) Mahalanobis model
(D) Gandhian village-economy model
Answer: (C) Mahalanobis model
Explanation: The Second Plan of 1956–61 was founded on the Mahalanobis strategy of developing basic and heavy industries. It emphasised domestic capital-goods capacity and a substantial public-sector role, contrasting with the First Plan’s agriculture-oriented Harrod–Domar framework.
Q52. Atal Pension Yojana:
(1) mainly targets unorganised workers;
(2) only one family member can enrol;
(3) the spouse receives the guaranteed pension after a subscriber’s death.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2016]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Atal Pension Yojana is a contributory minimum-pension scheme particularly important for workers without occupational pensions. More than one eligible family member may enrol, while the spouse is entitled to the pension on the subscriber’s death. Statements one and three are correct.
Q51. Mission Indradhanush primarily concerns which initiative?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2016]
(A) Vaccinating children and pregnant women
(B) Constructing smart cities
(C) Finding Earth-like planets
(D) Issuing a new education policy
Answer: (A) Vaccinating children and pregnant women
Explanation: Mission Indradhanush strengthens immunisation coverage for children and pregnant women. Initiated in 2014, it works to reach people missing scheduled vaccinations. Its objectives concern public health rather than astronomy, urban construction or educational legislation.
