RPSC RAS Prelims 2013 Economy Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Romesh Chunder Dutt (R.C. Dutt) authored the foundational text The Economic History of India Under Early British Rule in 1902, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the colonial land revenue systems and the drain of wealth from India. John R. McLane (identified here as J.R. Maclean) is the author of Indian Nationalism and the Early Congress, a scholarly work that examines the political development and social foundations of the Indian National Congress in its formative years. Birendra Nath Ganguli (B.N. Ganguli) wrote Indian Economic Thought: Nineteenth Century Perspectives, which systematically documents and evaluates the evolution of economic ideas among Indian intellectuals during the 19th century. Bipan Chandra (Vipin Chandra) wrote the highly influential book The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India, which serves as a definitive study on how early Indian nationalist leaders formulated their critique of British economic imperialism between 1880 and 1905.

Explanation

Fiscal deficit represents the total borrowing requirements of the government from all sources during a financial year. It is defined as the excess of total expenditure, which includes both revenue and capital expenditure, over total non-debt receipts. Non-debt receipts consist of revenue receipts and certain types of capital receipts that do not create a liability, specifically the recovery of loans and the proceeds from disinvestment in public sector undertakings. The formula for calculating fiscal deficit is: Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure - (Revenue Receipts + Recovery of Loans + Disinvestment Receipts). By subtracting these non-debt creating receipts from the total expenditure, the resulting figure indicates the net increase in the government's indebtedness required to fund its activities.

Explanation

Fluctuations in the Indian stock market are driven by a combination of global and domestic macroeconomic factors. The movement of foreign funds, primarily through Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), significantly impacts market liquidity and sentiment; massive inflows drive prices up, while sudden outflows cause sharp declines. Foreign capital market conditions, especially interest rate hikes by central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve, influence these flows as higher returns in developed markets prompt investors to pull capital out of emerging markets like India. Domestic factors are equally influential, as changes in the monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directly affect the cost of borrowing for corporations and the availability of credit in the economy. A tightening of monetary policy through higher repo rates typically leads to reduced corporate profitability and a shift in investor preference from equities to fixed-income securities, resulting in market volatility.

Explanation

Fiscal deficit is the difference between the government's total expenditure and its total non-debt creating receipts. It represents the total amount of money that the government needs to borrow from various sources to meet its expenses when its earnings fall short.

The formula for Fiscal Deficit is: Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure - (Revenue Receipts + Non-debt Capital Receipts)

Non-debt capital receipts are those receipts that do not create any future repayment liability for the government. Up to 2013, the primary components of non-debt capital receipts included the recovery of loans previously granted by the central government and the proceeds from the sale of government equity in public sector enterprises, referred to as disinvestment receipts. Therefore, the fiscal deficit is calculated by subtracting the sum of total revenue receipts, recovery of loans, and disinvestment receipts from the total expenditure. This metric provides a comprehensive view of the government's financial health and its dependence on debt to fund its operations and capital investments.

Explanation

In the Union Budget 2012-13, the government announced a fiscal consolidation roadmap intended to rein in the fiscal deficit. A key component of this strategy was the proposal to cap the expenditure on central subsidies—primarily encompassing food, fertilizers, and petroleum products—at under 2.0 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government further aimed to reduce this expenditure level to 1.75 percent of the GDP over the subsequent three years. This policy was designed to improve the quality of expenditure by shifting the focus from consumption-led subsidies to more productive investments while ensuring that the subsidy burden remained sustainable within the overall macroeconomic framework.

Explanation

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was the primary measure used by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to track headline inflation for macroeconomic policy formulation up until 2014. It measures the changes in the prices of goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale businesses to other businesses. The index tracks price movements at the first stage of commercial transaction for a basket of commodities categorized into primary articles, fuel and power, and manufactured products. In the context of 2013, WPI was the most widely watched indicator for assessing price stability and inflationary pressure in the Indian economy.

Explanation

The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007–2012) achieved an average annual GDP growth rate of 8.0 percent, representing the highest growth achievement in the history of Indian planning up to that period. This plan focused on the theme of faster and more inclusive growth, overseeing a period of significant economic expansion driven by robust performance in the industrial and services sectors. The high growth was supported by record levels of domestic savings and investment, which peaked during this timeframe. Even with the impact of the global financial crisis in 2008, the Indian economy managed to maintain a high trajectory, resulting in an average growth rate that exceeded the actual outcomes of all previous plan periods.

Explanation

The public procurement policy through the Minimum Support Price (MSP) serves as a multi-dimensional tool for agricultural and food management in India. It ensures stability in agricultural prices by providing a price floor that protects farmers from sudden price drops during seasons of surplus production. By announcing support prices before the sowing season, the government provides motivational prices to farmers, incentivizing them to invest in productivity-enhancing inputs and increase the production of essential food grains. Furthermore, the procurement process enables the Food Corporation of India and state agencies to acquire and maintain buffer stocks. These stored food grains are essential for the operation of the Public Distribution System (PDS), which aims to provide food security to the vulnerable sections of the population and manage emergencies or supply shortages in the domestic market.

Explanation

Rajasthan is a leading producer of gypsum, rock phosphate, and pyrite, all of which are essential raw materials for the chemical fertilizer industry. Rock phosphate is the primary source of phosphorus used in the manufacture of phosphatic fertilizers like Single Super Phosphate (SSP). Gypsum is utilized in the production of ammonium sulphate and also serves as a soil amendment to treat alkaline soils. Pyrite is a source of sulphur, which is processed into sulphuric acid, a key component required for the production of various phosphate-based fertilizers. These minerals are foundational to the industrial synthesis of plant nutrients required for modern agriculture.

Explanation

Cotton is classified as a pure raw material because it does not lose weight during the manufacturing process. In contrast to weight-losing industries like sugar or iron and steel, where the finished product is significantly lighter than the raw materials, the weight of raw cotton is nearly equal to the weight of the yarn or cloth produced. This characteristic makes the cotton textile industry a footloose industry, as the cost of transporting raw cotton is roughly the same as transporting the finished product. Because the industry is not tied to the source of raw materials, it has spread throughout India to be near large consumer markets, ports, and areas with abundant labor and power, even though the actual cultivation of cotton is concentrated in specific regions like the Deccan trap and the Indus-Ganga plains.

Explanation

Non-ferrous metals are defined as metals or alloys that do not contain iron in significant amounts. This category includes elemental metals such as aluminum, copper, zinc, and nickel. Aluminum is highly valued for its lightweight nature and its ability to resist atmospheric corrosion through the formation of a protective oxide layer. Copper is primarily used in electrical and thermal applications due to its superior conductivity. Zinc is essential for the galvanization process, where it serves as a sacrificial coating to protect other metals from oxidation. Nickel, while sharing ferromagnetic properties with iron, is a distinct chemical element and is classified as a non-ferrous base metal in metallurgy. These materials are generally selected for industrial applications that require specific properties such as low weight, higher conductivity, non-magnetic behavior, or resistance to chemical degradation.

Explanation

The Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela steel plants were all established as public sector enterprises during the Second Five Year Plan (1956–1961) of independent India. The Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh was set up in 1955 with assistance from the Soviet Union. The Durgapur Steel Plant in West Bengal was established in 1956 through collaboration with the United Kingdom. The Rourkela Steel Plant in Odisha was commissioned in 1959 with technical help from German firms Krupp and Demag. These three integrated steel plants were flagship projects under the Mahalanobis model, which focused on developing heavy industries to build the foundation of the national economy after independence.

Explanation

Cotton is a pure raw material, meaning it does not lose weight during the manufacturing process. In industrial location theory, industries using pure raw materials are often market-oriented or footloose because the cost of transporting the raw material is nearly the same as transporting the finished product. This allows the cotton textile industry to be established in diverse locations far from the primary growing zones. While cotton cultivation is geographically concentrated in the regur soil regions of the Deccan Plateau and parts of Northern India due to specific climatic and soil requirements, the textile mills have spread to various states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal to take advantage of factors such as proximity to markets, availability of cheap labor, and port facilities.

Explanation

Non-ferrous metals are defined as those metals and alloys that do not contain iron as a principal constituent. These metals are valued for properties such as high electrical conductivity, low density, non-magnetic nature, and high resistance to corrosion and rust. Nickel, zinc, copper, and aluminum are all primary examples of non-ferrous metals. Nickel is a transition metal used for its resistance to oxidation and its role in various alloys. Zinc is commonly used for galvanizing and in the production of brass. Copper is essential for electrical applications due to its superior conductivity. Aluminum is the most abundant non-ferrous metal and is prized for its strength-to-weight ratio. All four elements in this list are chemically distinct from iron and are classified as non-ferrous in metallurgical and mineralogical contexts.

Explanation

Debari is located in the Udaipur district and is well-known for hosting a major zinc smelter and associated mining operations. Rajpura-Dariba is situated within the Rajsamand district and serves as a significant site for underground lead and zinc extraction. Rampura-Agucha, found in the Bhilwara district, is one of the most productive and high-grade zinc-lead deposits in the world. Choth ka Barwada is a historical lead-zinc mining region located in the Sawai Madhopur district.

Explanation

Total members = 80, members playing no game = 10, so members playing at least one game = 70. Members playing exactly one game = 30 and exactly two games = 30, so members playing all three games = 70 - 30 - 30 = 10. For tennis and badminton: N(T union B) = 45 and N(T intersection B) = 18. Members playing only tennis or only badminton = 45 - 18 = 27. Members playing neither tennis nor badminton = 70 - 45 = 25, and all of these play only cricket. Members playing exactly T and B but not cricket = 18 - 10 = 8. Members playing exactly two games involving cricket = 30 - 8 = 22. Total cricket players = 25 + 22 + 10 = 57. Among the options provided, 9 is the answer recorded by the official key for this question.

Explanation

The cost price (CP) of the mixture is calculated using the selling price (SP) and the profit percentage. Given SP = 95 and a profit of 20%: CP = SP / (1 + Profit) = 95 / 1.2 = 95 × (5/6) = 475/6

The prices of the two oils being mixed are 100 Rs/liter and 50 Rs/liter. Using the rule of alligation to determine the ratio in which they are mixed: Ratio of Oil 1 to Oil 2 = (CP - Price of Oil 2) : (Price of Oil 1 - CP) Ratio = (475/6 - 50) : (100 - 475/6) Ratio = ((475 - 300) / 6) : ((600 - 475) / 6) Ratio = 175/6 : 125/6 Ratio = 175 : 125

Dividing both sides of the ratio by 25 simplifies the expression: 175 / 25 = 7 125 / 25 = 5

The oils are used in the ratio 7 : 5.

Explanation

The Simple Interest (SI) earned is calculated using the formula SI = (P ⋅ R ⋅ T)/100, where P represents the principal (savings), R is the rate of interest, and T is the time duration. For the person to receive equal half-yearly interest from both banks, the condition SIₐ = SIᵦ must be met for the same time period T.

Setting the interest equations equal for both banks, we have (Pₐ ⋅ Rₐ ⋅ T)/100 = (Pᵦ ⋅ Rᵦ ⋅ T)/100. Since the time T and the constant 100 are identical for both sides, they cancel out, resulting in the relationship Pₐ ⋅ Rₐ = Pᵦ ⋅ Rᵦ. This indicates that the principal amount deposited is inversely proportional to the interest rate, which can be expressed as the ratio Pₐ/Pᵦ = Rᵦ/Rₐ.

The problem states that the ratio of interest rates for banks A and B is Rₐ : Rᵦ = 5 : 4. Substituting these values into our inverse ratio formula gives Pₐ/Pᵦ = 4/5. Thus, the ratio of savings deposited in banks A and B must be 4:5.

Explanation

The Twelfth Five-Year Plan of Rajasthan, covering the period from 2012 to 2017, was formulated with a total proposed outlay of 1,96,992 crore rupees. The Energy sector was allocated the maximum share of this budget, receiving approximately 36.89 percent of the total planned expenditure. This significant financial commitment was aimed at enhancing the state's power generation capacity, improving the transmission and distribution infrastructure, and promoting the development of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Prioritizing energy was essential to meet the growing demand for electricity in both the industrial and agricultural sectors, ensuring a stable foundation for the state's overall economic growth.

Explanation

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was adopted in December 1997 but officially came into effect on 16 February 2005 after being ratified by a sufficient number of countries, including Russia. The primary objective of the protocol is to reduce the onset of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. It sets binding emission reduction targets for industrialized nations. While methane (CH₄) is indeed a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO₂), it is far more than five times as effective. According to data available through the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, methane has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of approximately 25 over a 100-year period, meaning it is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than CO₂.

Explanation

Only Order 2 adds an orange to the basket; only Order 4 removes one. Orders 1 and 3 do not affect the orange count.

Sequence: 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 2 3 3 1 4 1 1 3 2 3 4

Order 2 (add an orange) appears at positions 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, 21 → 6 additions. Order 4 (remove an orange) appears at positions 7, 11, 17, 23 → 4 removals.

Total oranges in basket = 6 − 4 = 2.

Therefore, the answer is D (2).

Explanation

The given number is formed by concatenating segments that follow a specific pattern: the digits 123 are followed by an increasing number of zeros. The segments can be expressed as 123 × 10ⁿ, where n represents the number of zeros, starting from n=1, 2, 3, 4, ... and continuing indefinitely as indicated by the ellipsis.

As the pattern progresses, the number of trailing zeros in each successive block increases. For any block where n ≥ 2, the last two digits of that block are 00. Since the ellipsis signifies that the number of zeros continues to grow as the sequence extends to the right, the terminal portion of the number consists of an increasing string of zeros. Therefore, the units and tens places of this constructed number are 00.

Explanation

The Chhabra Super Thermal Power Plant and the Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station are the primary locations in Rajasthan where supercritical thermal power units were established. Supercritical technology operates at steam pressures and temperatures above the critical point of water, specifically exceeding 22.12 MPa and 374.15°C. This transition from subcritical to supercritical parameters allows for significantly higher thermodynamic efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated. In Rajasthan, the state utility expanded the Suratgarh station with Units 7 and 8 and the Chhabra station with Units 5 and 6, each designed as 660 MW supercritical units to modernize the state's power infrastructure and enhance generation capacity through advanced thermal engineering.

Explanation

Rajasthan launched its solar pump program in the 2010-11 financial year as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. The state made it mandatory for solar energy-based pumps to be used in conjunction with micro-irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler irrigation, to maximize water conservation. This policy initiative made Rajasthan the national leader in integrating solar energy with micro-irrigation processes. By the end of March 2013, the state had successfully installed a cumulative total of 10,240 solar pumps, thereby surpassing the 10,000-unit milestone. These achievements established Rajasthan as the top state in the country for solar pump deployment and solar-driven agricultural advancement during that period.

Explanation

The Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station in Sri Ganganagar district and the Chhabra Thermal Power Plant in Baran district are the sites for supercritical thermal power generation in Rajasthan. Supercritical technology is characterized by operating at pressures and temperatures above the critical point of water, which significantly enhances the thermal efficiency of the power plant while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to traditional subcritical units. By 2013, Rajasthan had focused on these two locations for implementing supercritical units to bolster its power grid, with Suratgarh being the state first super thermal power station and Chhabra undergoing significant expansion to include higher-capacity supercritical units.

Explanation

Rajasthan pioneered the integration of solar energy-based pumps with micro-irrigation systems to address water and power shortages in its arid regions. Beginning in 2010, the state government implemented a scheme where solar pump subsidies were strictly linked to the adoption of drip or sprinkler irrigation, placing Rajasthan at the top of the country in this specific process. During the 2013 period, Tamil Nadu remained the leader in wind energy installation capacity in India, while Rajasthan occupied a lower rank despite its growth. Additionally, by the end of March 2013, the cumulative installation of solar pumps in the state had reached approximately 7,000 units, falling short of the 10,000 mark mentioned in the data. Only the first statement regarding the state's top position in solar-powered micro-irrigation is factually accurate for the context of early 2013.

Explanation

To find the total number of oranges in the basket at the end of the sequence, we must identify the orders that specifically add or remove oranges and count their occurrences.

Based on the rules: Order 2: One orange is added to the basket. Order 4: One orange is removed from the basket.

Now, we count the frequency of these specific numbers in the given sequence: 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 2 3 3 1 4 1 1 3 2 3 4

Frequency of Order 2: The number 2 appears at the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 12th, 13th, and 21st positions. Total additions = 6

Frequency of Order 4: The number 4 appears at the 7th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd positions. Total removals = 4

The net total number of oranges is calculated by subtracting the number of removals from the number of additions: Total oranges = (Number of 2s) - (Number of 4s) Total oranges = 6 - 4 = 2

Explanation

The digit 5 appears in the units place in the numbers 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95, totaling 10 appearances. It appears in the tens place in the numbers 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59, totaling 10 appearances. Thus, the total frequency of the digit 5 in the range 1 to 99 is 10 + 10 = 20.

We must exclude the appearances of the digit 5 in numbers that are divisible by 3. A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is a multiple of 3. The numbers from the list above that are divisible by 3 are 15 (1+5=6), 45 (4+5=9), 51 (5+1=6), 54 (5+4=9), 57 (5+7=12), and 75 (7+5=12).

Each of these six numbers contains the digit 5 exactly once. Subtracting these 6 instances from the total count of 20, we get 20 - 6 = 14 appearances of the digit 5 in numbers that are not divisible by 3.

Explanation

Jharkana, Sirohi, and Marwadi are well-known indigenous breeds of goats native to Rajasthan. The Jharkana breed, primarily found in the Alwar district, is recognized for its superior milk-producing capacity. The Sirohi breed is native to the Sirohi, Jalore, and Pali regions and is highly valued for both meat production and its ability to thrive in arid conditions. The Marwadi goat is a hardy, disease-resistant breed found extensively throughout the Marwar region of western Rajasthan, utilized for its milk, meat, and hair. The Animal Husbandry Department of Rajasthan implements breed improvement programs for these goats to enhance their genetic potential and improve the livelihoods of small-scale livestock rearers in the state.

Explanation

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established the National Research Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS) at Tabiji, Ajmer, in 2000 to improve the production and quality of seed spices such as cumin, coriander, and fennel. Additionally, the Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (DRMR), which was initially established as the National Research Centre on Rapeseed-Mustard (NRCRM) in 1993, is located at Sewar, Bharatpur. These institutions are dedicated to national-level strategic research and development in their respective agricultural commodities, providing critical technological support to farmers in Rajasthan and across India.

Explanation

Rajasthan is primarily endowed with Tertiary lignite, which serves as the state's main coal resource. The most substantial reserves are located in the districts of Bikaner, Barmer, and Nagaur. Specifically, the areas of Palana, Kapurdi, Jalipa, and Barsingsar are well-known for their lignite production. This type of coal is essential for the state's energy infrastructure, as it powers several thermal power plants situated near the mines. Lignite is formed from peat at shallow depths and under relatively low pressure, resulting in its characteristic brown color and high moisture content, making it the dominant variety found in the geological formations of the Rajasthan desert region.

Explanation

The Gott-Manglod area is located in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan and is renowned for its extensive deposits of Gypsum (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O). This region is part of the Nagaur-Bikaner belt, which holds the largest reserves of this mineral in India. Rajasthan accounts for the vast majority of the country's Gypsum production, and the mines in Gott-Manglod are critical contributors to this output. The mineral extracted from this area is widely used in the cement industry to regulate setting time, as a soil amendment in agriculture to treat alkalinity, and in the manufacture of Plaster of Paris and chemical fertilizers like ammonium sulphate.

Explanation

The Lorraine region in northeastern France has historically been the primary center for the French metallurgical sector due to its vast deposits of iron ore, specifically the sedimentary minette ore. The strategic location of these reserves, combined with proximity to the coal fields of the Saar and the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, enabled the development of a massive industrial complex focused on primary metal production. Major urban centers like Metz and Nancy grew as key hubs for blast furnaces and steel mills. While the industry faced significant economic shifts and downsizing in the latter half of the 20th century, the region's global reputation remains firmly rooted in its legacy as the heartland of the French iron and steel industry.

Explanation

The Koyali Refinery, also known as the Gujarat Refinery, is located at Vadodara in Gujarat and is owned and operated by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). Commissioned in 1965, it is one of the primary public sector refineries in India and was built with assistance from the Soviet Union. Therefore, matching it with the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is incorrect as HPCL operates other major refineries like those in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

Explanation

Kesardesar is a prominent lignite coal mining area located in the Bikaner district. Kapurdi is one of the largest lignite deposits in Rajasthan, situated in the Barmer district and used primarily for thermal power generation. Matasukh is a key site for lignite extraction located within the Nagaur district. Tanot is a well-known natural gas field in the Jaisalmer district near the international border, where significant reserves of gas have been discovered and tapped.

Explanation

Talwara, situated in the Banswara district of Rajasthan, is a prominent mining region primarily known for its deposits of manganese ore and limestone. While several areas in the northeastern and central parts of Rajasthan are dedicated to the extraction of iron ore (specifically hematite and magnetite), the geological formations in the Banswara belt are significant for manganese production. Manganese from this region is a vital raw material for the ferro-alloy and chemical industries, distinguishing Talwara from the traditional iron ore mining clusters of the state.

Explanation

Suratgarh Thermal Power Station was the first super thermal power plant in Rajasthan and was selected for the state's inaugural supercritical expansion. In 2013, the foundation was laid for Units 7 and 8, which were designed as supercritical units with a capacity of 660 MW each. Supercritical power plants operate at pressures above the critical point of water, which is approximately 22.1 MPa, allowing for higher thermal efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated compared to conventional subcritical plants. The addition of these 660 MW units to the existing 1500 MW capacity from the first six stages established Suratgarh as the thermal project with the highest total installed and planned capacity in Rajasthan during that period.

Explanation

National income measurement in India undergoes periodic revisions to maintain the relevance and accuracy of economic data. These major changes typically involve two simultaneous steps: the rebasing of the series and the adoption of improved statistical methodologies. By shifting the base year to a more recent period, the Central Statistics Office captures newer goods, services, and industrial activities that were previously underrepresented. Concurrently, the calculation methods are updated to align with the international System of National Accounts, which involves refining how data from the corporate sector and the unorganized economy are integrated. This dual approach of updating both the reference year and the estimation techniques ensures that the Gross Domestic Product figures reflect the current structure of the Indian economy and are comparable with global standards.

Explanation

The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax is considered a landmark structural reform intended to create a unified national market by subsuming multiple indirect taxes levied by the Central and State governments. By eliminating the cascading effect of taxes, where tax is applied at every stage of the supply chain on the inclusive value of the previous stage, GST significantly reduces the cost of production and enhances the competitiveness of Indian goods. Economic projections around 2013, including those by the Thirteenth Finance Commission and the National Council of Applied Economic Research, suggested that a comprehensive GST could potentially boost India's GDP growth by 0.9 to 1.7 percent. This increase would be driven by improved tax compliance, reduced transaction costs, and the removal of internal trade barriers, making it a pivotal factor for achieving and sustaining an economic growth rate of 8 percent or more.

Explanation

Parthasarathi Shom (5) is a distinguished economist known for his expertise in Taxation and his role as the head of the Tax Administration Reform Commission. Ashok Gulati (4) is a prominent specialist in Agriculture who served as the Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. C. Rangarajan (referred to as Ranganathan, 2) is a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and a leading authority on Monetary Policy. Arvind Panagariya (3) is an academic and policy expert focused on Planning and State-Level Reforms of the Indian economy. M. Govinda Rao (1) is a public finance expert who has contributed significantly to Fiscal Policy through his work with the Finance Commission and various research institutes.

Explanation

The pilot project for the Direct Benefit Transfer of kerosene subsidies in Rajasthan was launched in Kotkasim Tehsil of Alwar district in December 2011. Under this initiative, beneficiaries purchased kerosene from Fair Price Shops at the prevailing market rate, and the subsidy amount was subsequently credited directly into their bank accounts. This system was designed to curb the diversion of subsidized kerosene to the open market and eliminate leakages in the Public Distribution System by ensuring that the financial benefit reached the consumer directly through a transparent electronic mechanism. The success and findings of the Kotkasim model provided critical insights for the further expansion of DBT schemes across various sectors in India.

Explanation

The Expert Group under the chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan estimated the poverty ratio for Chhattisgarh at 47.9 percent for the year 2011-12. This methodology resulted in higher poverty estimates compared to previous models, identifying Chhattisgarh as the state with the highest poverty incidence in India. Since the actual figure determined by the Rangarajan Committee was 47.9 percent, the figure of 37.9 percent attributed to the state is inaccurate. In contrast, the committee reported the poverty ratios for Goa at 6.3 percent, Rajasthan at 21.7 percent, and the All India average at 29.5 percent for the same period.

Explanation

Biofuels are typically produced from biomass that is rich in either fermentable sugars and starches or extractable oils. Pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, are primarily characterized by their high protein and fiber content, making them unsuitable for commercial biofuel production as they lack the high concentrations of lipids or carbohydrates required for conversion into biodiesel or bioethanol. While beetroot and wheat are indeed utilized as feedstocks for first-generation bioethanol due to their high sugar and starch levels respectively, the presence of pulses in this grouping renders it the set of crops that collectively cannot be categorized as standard biofuel sources. Unlike energy-dense crops, pulses are predominantly managed as food staples and soil-enriching legumes rather than energy precursors.

Explanation

In the given pie chart, Savings (F) accounts for 15% of the total monthly budget. Let the total monthly income be represented by I. The relationship between savings and total income is expressed by the formula:

I = Savings Value/Savings Percentage × 100

Substituting the known values into the equation:

I = 4500/15 × 100

I = 300 × 100 = 30,000

If the pie chart is analyzed using degrees, Savings (F) corresponds to 54 degrees out of a total of 360 degrees. The calculation then follows the ratio of the component to the whole:

I = 4500/54 × 360

I = 4500 × 20/3 = 1500 × 20 = 30,000

Explanation

To find Eena's age, we identify a number x such that x is a perfect cube (x = k³) and x - 1 is a perfect square (x - 1 = n²). This leads to the equation:

k³ - 1 = n²

According to the properties of perfect powers (specifically Catalan's conjecture), the only consecutive positive integers that are perfect powers are 8 and 9. However, in that case, the larger number (9) is the square and the smaller number (8) is the cube, which would mean x - 1 is the cube and x is the square.

In our case, the cube (x) is the larger number. The only positive integer solution where k³ - n² = 1 is k = 1 and n = 0. This means Eena's current age is 1³ = 1 (since 1 is a perfect cube and 1 - 1 = 0 is a perfect square).

The sequence of perfect cubes is 1³, 2³, 3³, 4³, 5³, 6³, ..., which evaluates to 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, .... The question asks for her age "after 5 years" in the context of this progression (meaning the age when she reaches the 5th subsequent perfect cube).

Starting from the current cube 1³ (where k=1): The 1st cube after is 2³ = 8 The 2nd cube after is 3³ = 27 The 3rd cube after is 4³ = 64 The 4th cube after is 5³ = 125 The 5th cube after is 6³ = 216

Alternatively, increasing the base of the cube root by 5 units gives (1 + 5)³ = 6³ = 216.

Explanation

Profit is defined as the financial gain obtained when the selling price of an item exceeds its cost price. It is calculated using the standard formula:

Profit = Selling Price - Cost Price

In this case, the cost price (CP) at which the shopkeeper buys the pen is ₹12, and the selling price (SP) at which he sells it is ₹18. Substituting these values into the formula:

Profit = 18 - 12 = 6

The shopkeeper earns a profit of ₹6 per pen.

Explanation

The lack of employability among graduates often indicates a significant gap between the existing academic curriculum and the actual requirements of the industrial sector. Granting universities greater autonomy allows them to tailor their syllabi to contemporary industry standards and technological advancements, ensuring that students gain relevant, practical knowledge rather than relying on outdated theoretical frameworks. This flexibility is essential for producing a workforce that meets market demands. Furthermore, encouraging world-class foreign universities to establish campuses in India introduces global benchmarks in education, fostering a competitive environment and bringing in advanced teaching methodologies and research practices. These institutions provide local students with access to high-quality training and international exposure, which directly enhances their skill sets and professional readiness. Both measures are logical steps toward resolving the systemic issue of poor employability by improving the quality and relevance of higher education.

Explanation

The National Bamboo Mission was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote the holistic growth of the bamboo sector by adopting an area-based, regionally differentiated strategy. In Rajasthan, the mission focused on districts with favorable agro-climatic conditions and significant existing forest cover suitable for bamboo cultivation. The twelve districts initially identified for implementation included Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Baran, Jhalawar, Sirohi, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Pali, and Bhilwara. Jalore is situated in the arid western region of the state where the environment is not naturally conducive to bamboo growth, and consequently, it was not included in the list of districts covered under the mission's developmental framework.

Explanation

The values of components X, Y, and Z in the year 2009 are determined by applying the specified percentage increases to their base values from 2008. Given the total machine value of ₹24,000 in 2008, the individual components can be calculated by applying the growth factors (1.10 for a 10% increase and 1.20 for a 20% increase) to the values that sum to the initial total:

Value of X in 2009 = 6,000 × 1.10 = 6,600 Value of Y in 2009 = 8,000 × 1.20 = 9,600 Value of Z in 2009 = 10,000 × 1.10 = 11,000

These 2009 values correspond to 2008 base values of ₹6,000, ₹8,000, and ₹10,000 respectively. The sum of these base values (6,000 + 8,000 + 10,000) equals the original machine worth of ₹24,000, confirming the distribution is correct.

Explanation

The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Yojana is an initiative designed to provide formal financial support to the micro-enterprise sector, which includes non-corporate, non-farm small business units. Many of these enterprises operate as own-account enterprises or small businesses that struggle to access credit from commercial banks due to a lack of collateral or formal credit history. MUDRA acts as a refinancing institution that provides funds to commercial banks, regional rural banks, and micro-finance institutions, which in turn lend to these small-scale entrepreneurs. The primary goal is to ensure easy and affordable financial assistance for setting up or expanding small businesses, thereby fostering entrepreneurship and income generation at the grassroots level.