RPSC RAS Prelims 2013 Economy Questions with Solutions

Explanation

In the inaugural Hockey India League (HIL) auction held in December 2012 for the 2013 season, Akashdeep Singh was acquired by the Delhi Waveriders for a bid of $47,000. This significant investment reflected his reputation as a premier young forward in the Indian national circuit. Known for his explosive speed and clinical poaching ability, he was a highly sought-after player for franchises looking to build a potent offensive unit. His auction price was a testament to the high market value placed on versatile domestic strikers who could integrate into a team featuring international stars. He played a pivotal role in the success of his franchise during the league's debut year.

Explanation

World Population Day is observed annually on July 11 to raise awareness about global population issues. The theme for World Population Day 2015 was Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies. This theme was established by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to highlight the specific challenges faced by women and adolescent girls during humanitarian crises. In periods of conflict or natural disaster, these populations often experience increased risks to their health and safety, including limited access to life-saving reproductive health services and a heightened vulnerability to exploitation. The 2015 focus aimed to mobilize international support to ensure that the health and rights of these individuals are prioritized in emergency response and recovery efforts.

Explanation

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion launched by the Government of India. The program was first announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2014, and was officially inaugurated across the country on August 28, 2014. Its primary objective is to ensure that every household has access to at least one basic bank account, providing financial services such as savings and deposit accounts, remittances, credit, insurance, and pensions in an affordable manner. The launch was marked by the opening of 1.5 crore bank accounts on the first day, a feat that was subsequently recognized by the Guinness World Records for the most bank accounts opened in one week as part of a financial inclusion campaign.

Explanation

To find the work done by each individual, let the total work be the least common multiple of their individual completion times. The LCM of 9, 18, and 24 is 72 units.

The efficiency of each worker is: Efficiency of x (Eₓ) = 72 / 9 = 8 units/day Efficiency of y (Eᵧ) = 72 / 18 = 4 units/day Efficiency of z (E₂) = 72 / 24 = 3 units/day

Let the total time taken to complete the work be T days. According to the problem, x works for the entire duration (T days), y stops 3 days before completion (T - 3 days), and z stops 2 days before completion (T - 2 days). The total work is the sum of their individual contributions: 8(T) + 4(T - 3) + 3(T - 2) = 72 8T + 4T - 12 + 3T - 6 = 72 15T - 18 = 72 15T = 90 T = 6 days

Now, calculate the units of work contributed by y and z: Work done by y = Eᵧ × (T - 3) = 4 × (6 - 3) = 4 × 3 = 12 units Work done by z = E₂ × (T - 2) = 3 × (6 - 2) = 3 × 4 = 12 units

The ratio of z's contribution to y's contribution is 12 : 12, which simplifies to 1 : 1.

Explanation

The arithmetic mean of a, b, c is given as (a + b + c)/3 = M/3. Multiplying both sides by 3, we get: a + b + c = M

The condition 1/a + 1/b + 1/c = 0 (which is the standard algebraic form for such problems) implies: (bc + ac + ab)/abc = 0 ab + bc + ca = 0

Using the algebraic identity for the square of a trinomial: (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)

Substituting the known values a + b + c = M and ab + bc + ca = 0: M² = a² + b² + c² + 2(0) a² + b² + c² = M²

The arithmetic mean of a², b², c² is defined as: Arithmetic Mean = (a² + b² + c²)/3 = M²/3

Explanation

The total amount after adding the respective increments to the shares of A, B, and C is 671 + 3 + 7 + 9 = 690. The resulting shares are distributed in the ratio 1:2:3. Let the constant of proportionality be k. The sum of the ratio parts is 1k + 2k + 3k = 6k. Setting the total sum equal to the combined parts gives 6k = 690, which results in k = 115. B's share after the addition of ₹7 corresponds to 2k, so B's new share is 2 × 115 = 230. To find B's original share, subtract the increment of ₹7 from this value: 230 - 7 = 223.

Explanation

Bhilai Iron and Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh was established during the Second Five Year Plan with technical and financial assistance from the Soviet Union (Russia). Rourkela Iron and Steel Plant in Odisha was set up in 1959 with collaboration from West German firms, including Krupp and Demag. Durgapur Iron and Steel Plant in West Bengal was commissioned in the late 1950s with help from a consortium of companies from the United Kingdom. POSCO Steel, Paradeep, is a project associated with the Pohang Iron and Steel Company, a major multinational headquartered in South Korea, which signed an agreement with the Odisha government in 2005 to develop a steel facility.

Explanation

The bar diagram provides the percentage of villages without electrification. The percentage of villages with electrification is calculated using the formula Electrified% = 100% - Unelectrified%. For province D, the graph indicates that 60 percent of villages are without electrification, so the percentage of electrified villages is 100 - 60 = 40 percent. The target percentage for a province with double the electrification of D is 2 × 40 = 80 percent. Province C shows 20 percent of villages without electrification, which means its electrification percentage is 100 - 20 = 80 percent.

Explanation

Tax buoyancy represents the relationship between the changes in the government tax revenue growth and the changes in GDP. It is expressed by the formula Tax Buoyancy = (ΔT / T) / (ΔY / Y), where T is the tax revenue and Y is the GDP. In the fiscal year 2011-12, the tax buoyancy of central taxes in India saw a sharp decline, falling to approximately 0.9 from a level of around 1.5 in 2010-11. This contraction occurred because the growth rate of gross tax revenue slowed down significantly to about 13 percent, which was lower than the nominal GDP growth rate of approximately 15 percent for that year.

The growth in tax revenues during 2011-12 was subdued rather than rapid. Direct tax collections were affected by a slowdown in corporate sector profitability and industrial growth. On the indirect tax front, the government had implemented significant duty cuts on petroleum products to insulate domestic consumers from rising global oil prices, which further constrained revenue growth. Because the percentage increase in tax collections was lower than the previous year and lagged behind the expansion of the nominal economy, the assertion of a rapid increase in revenues is factually incorrect.

Explanation

The Planning Commission of India released the poverty estimates for 2011-12 in July 2013, based on the 68th round of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) consumer expenditure data. These estimates were calculated using the methodology recommended by the Suresh Tendulkar Committee, which shifted the basis of poverty estimation from the Uniform Reference Period (URP) to the Mixed Reference Period (MRP). Under the MRP method, data for five low-frequency consumption items (clothing, footwear, durable goods, education, and institutional medical expenses) are collected for a 365-day recall period, while all other items are collected for a 30-day recall period. According to this data, the percentage of the population living below the poverty line at the national level was determined to be 21.9 percent. This estimate reflected a rural poverty rate of 25.7 percent and an urban poverty rate of 13.7 percent.

Explanation

In the context of the Indian fiscal system, a significant structural shift occurred in the tax revenue composition during the late 2000s. Historically, the Indian government relied heavily on indirect taxes, such as customs and excise duties, for the majority of its revenue. However, due to consistent tax reforms, the broadening of the tax base, and improved compliance, direct tax collections—primarily consisting of corporate tax and personal income tax—began to grow at a faster pace.

Starting from the financial year 2007-08, direct tax receipts surpassed indirect tax receipts for the first time in India's history. By the year 2013, this trend had become well-established, with direct taxes contributing approximately 54 to 56 percent of the Central government's Gross Tax Revenue. This dominance of direct taxes over indirect taxes is considered a sign of a developing and progressive tax system, as direct taxes are generally based on the ability-to-pay principle, whereas indirect taxes tend to be regressive in nature. Consequently, the recent structure of tax revenue shows that direct tax receipts are higher than indirect tax receipts.

Explanation

The most alarming demographic development in Rajasthan between the 2001 and 2011 censuses was the sharp decline in the child sex ratio for the 0-6 age group. The ratio dropped from 909 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001 to 888 in 2011, a significant decrease of 21 points. This regression was particularly distressing because it occurred despite improvements in other areas, such as the overall sex ratio rising from 921 to 928 and a general increase in the literacy rate. The falling child sex ratio highlights a persistent social crisis involving gender discrimination and female feticide, making it the most concerning result of the 2011 census for the state compared to the previous decade.

Explanation

The tax structure of the Indian Central Government underwent a significant shift in the mid-2000s. Traditionally, indirect taxes like Union Excise Duties and Customs dominated the revenue receipts. However, due to sustained economic growth, rising corporate profits, and better tax administration, direct taxes surpassed indirect taxes for the first time in the financial year 2007-08.

In the years leading up to 2013, this trend continued. Direct taxes, which primarily consist of Corporate Tax and Personal Income Tax, consistently contributed more to the Gross Tax Revenue than indirect taxes, which include Customs, Excise, and Service Tax. For instance, in the financial year 2012-13, direct taxes accounted for approximately 54 percent of the total tax revenue collected by the Union, while indirect taxes contributed about 46 percent. This structural change is considered a sign of a developing economy, as it moves from a consumption-based tax dependence toward an income-based tax system, which is generally more progressive and efficient.

Explanation

The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in the age group of 0-6 years in Rajasthan witnessed a sharp decline from 909 in the 2001 Census to 888 in the 2011 Census. This drop of 21 points was the most alarming demographic trend for the state, as it indicated the persistence of gender-biased sex selection and female foeticide. While the overall sex ratio of the state actually showed a slight improvement during the same decade, rising from 921 to 928, the significant decrease in the child population's sex ratio highlighted a worsening gender imbalance at the foundational level of the population. This trend caused major concern among policymakers and social scientists regarding the long-term social implications for the state.

Explanation

For the number 32, the sum of the digits is S = 3 + 2 = 5 and the product of the digits is P = 3 × 2 = 6.

When the number is divided by the sum of its digits, the division is 32 = (5 × 6) + 2. This results in a quotient Qₛ = 6 and a remainder Rₛ = 2.

When the number is divided by the product of its digits, the division is 32 = (6 × 5) + 2. This results in a quotient Qₚ = 5 and a remainder Rₚ = 2.

Comparing these results, the remainders are identical (2 = 2) and the difference between the quotients is 6 - 5 = 1. These values satisfy both conditions stipulated in the problem.

Explanation

Since the fiscal year 2007-08, the composition of the Central Government's gross tax revenue has undergone a structural shift where the share of direct taxes has consistently exceeded that of indirect taxes. Direct taxes primarily consist of Corporation Tax and Personal Income Tax, while indirect taxes during this period included Union Excise Duties, Service Tax, and Customs Duties. By the 2012-13 fiscal year, direct tax collections accounted for approximately 54 percent of the total tax revenue, whereas indirect taxes contributed the remaining 46 percent. This trend reflects the government's efforts to broaden the tax base and move toward a more progressive taxation system, where a larger portion of revenue is derived from taxes on income and profits rather than on the consumption of goods and services.

Explanation

The Census of 2011 revealed a significant and alarming decline in the child sex ratio (0-6 years) in Rajasthan. The child sex ratio dropped from 909 girls per 1,000 boys in the 2001 Census to 888 girls per 1,000 boys in 2011, marking a decrease of 21 points. This trend was particularly concerning as it indicated a persistent preference for male children and the prevalence of female foeticide or neglect, despite various government interventions. While other demographic indicators like the overall sex ratio and literacy rates showed improvement or stability, the sharp contraction in the child population's gender balance was identified as the most critical demographic challenge facing the state. Districts like Jhunjhunu and Sikar recorded particularly low figures, highlighting a worsening regional disparity in the survival of the girl child.

Explanation

The Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-1990) achieved the highest annual average growth rate of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in Rajasthan's planning history. Measured at 2004-05 constant prices, the state's economy expanded at a rate of 11.55 percent during this five-year period. This remarkable growth was supported by a period of favorable monsoon conditions which led to record agricultural output, alongside a steady expansion in the industrial and service sectors. This figure represents the peak growth performance recorded for the state.

Explanation

The expenditure on different categories in this pie chart is distributed such that Advertisement (B) accounts for 15% of the total cost, while Binding (C) accounts for 12.5% of the total cost.

To determine how much more was spent on advertising compared to binding as a percentage of the total expenditure, we calculate the difference between their respective percentage shares: Difference = Percentage of Advertisement - Percentage of Binding Difference = 15% - 12.5% = 2.5%

This can also be calculated if the chart values are provided in degrees. In that case, Advertisement accounts for 54° and Binding accounts for 45°. The difference in degrees is 54° - 45° = 9°. To convert this difference into a percentage of the total expenditure (where the whole circle is 360°): Percentage Difference = 9°/360° × 100 = 2.5%

Therefore, the amount spent on advertising is 2.5% of the total cost more than the amount spent on binding.

Explanation

The National Research Centre on Seed Spices is located at Tabiji in Ajmer, which serves as a premier institute for research on seed spices including coriander. The National Research Centre on Equines operates a significant regional station in Bikaner focused on the health and production of horses and other equines. The Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, formerly known as the National Research Centre on Rapeseed-Mustard, is situated at Sewar in Bharatpur. The Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute is an apex body for research in sheep and wool, established at Avikanagar in the Tonk district.

Explanation

Let the present age of the son be x years. Since Ena is twice as old as her son, her present age is 2x years. The difference in their ages equals x years. From statement 1: five years later the ratio (2x+5)/(x+5) = 9/5, giving 10x+25 = 9x+45, so x = 20. The age difference is 20 years. Statement 1 alone is sufficient. From statement 2: ten years ago the ratio (2x-10)/(x-10) = 3/1, giving 2x-10 = 3x-30, so x = 20. The age difference is again 20 years. Statement 2 alone is also sufficient. Both statements independently yield the same result, confirming that together they are consistent and fully sufficient to determine the age difference of 20 years.

Explanation

To find the range of the variable k = x - y + 2z, we must determine its minimum and maximum possible values based on the given intervals -2 ≤ x ≤ 1, -1 ≤ y ≤ 2, and 3 ≤ z ≤ 6.

The minimum value of k is obtained by taking the minimum value of x, subtracting the maximum value of y, and adding twice the minimum value of z. kₘᵢₙ = xₘᵢₙ - yₘₐₓ + 2zₘᵢₙ Substituting the values: kₘᵢₙ = (-2) - (2) + 2(3) = -4 + 6 = 2

The maximum value of k is obtained by taking the maximum value of x, subtracting the minimum value of y, and adding twice the maximum value of z. kₘₐₓ = xₘₐₓ - yₘᵢₙ + 2zₘₐₓ Substituting the values: kₘₐₓ = (1) - (-1) + 2(6) = 1 + 1 + 12 = 14

Combining these results, the range of k is 2 ≤ k ≤ 14.

Explanation

The Twelfth Five Year Plan of India, which covered the period from 2012 to 2017, was officially titled Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive Growth. This objective was designed to address the challenges of maintaining a high growth rate while ensuring that the benefits of development reached all segments of society, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable groups. The inclusion of sustainability as a core pillar highlighted the necessity of balancing industrial and economic expansion with environmental conservation and resource management. The plan set various targets, including a significant reduction in poverty, improvement in health and education outcomes, and the development of infrastructure to support long-term economic stability and social equity across the nation.

Explanation

The 13th Finance Commission, which covered the period from 2010 to 2015, recommended a fiscal consolidation roadmap for State Governments. Under this framework, states were required to amend or enact their own Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Acts to commit to a fiscal deficit target of 3 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). This target was intended to be achieved by the 2014-15 financial year to ensure debt sustainability and macroeconomic stability at the sub-national level. Compliance with this limit was a condition for states to access market borrowings and benefit from debt relief measures proposed by the Commission.

Explanation

The Rajasthan Agricultural Competitiveness Project (RACP) was launched in 2012-13 with financial assistance from the World Bank. The primary objective of the project was to increase agricultural productivity and farmer incomes by promoting sustainable management of natural resources. Given Rajasthan’s status as a water-scarce state, the project placed a significant emphasis on the efficient use of irrigated water. It aimed to achieve this through the adoption of climate-resilient agriculture practices and demand-side water management, specifically focusing on increasing water use efficiency at the farm level via micro-irrigation techniques, improved canal management, and the integration of surface and groundwater resources to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

Explanation

The net percentage change resulting from an increase of r% followed by a decrease of r% is always a decrease, governed by the formula -r²/100. Substituting the given value r = 5:

Net Change = -5²/100 = -25/100 = -0.25%

The negative sign confirms that the final value is lower than the initial value. In terms of multipliers, adding 5% to x results in 1.05x. Reducing this new value by 5% requires multiplying it by 0.95. The calculation 1.05 × 0.95 can be expressed as (1 + 0.05)(1 - 0.05). Applying the algebraic identity (a + b)(a - b) = a² - b², the expression simplifies to 1² - 0.05² = 1 - 0.0025 = 0.9975. Therefore, the final result is 0.9975x, which is less than the original x.

Explanation

Rajasthan is often referred to as the museum of minerals due to its vast geological diversity. The state produces nearly 79 varieties of minerals and, during the early 2010s, accounted for approximately 22 percent of the total mineral production in India. It holds a near-monopoly in the production of specific industrial minerals such as wollastonite, jasper, and zinc.

The mining and quarrying sector plays a significant role in the state's economy. Based on the Economic Review of Rajasthan from that period, the sector's contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) remained consistently around the 5 percent mark.

Western Rajasthan is characterized by substantial deposits of Tertiary lignite. These reserves are concentrated primarily in the Bikaner-Nagaur and Barmer-Sanchore basins. Key locations such as Palana and Barsingsar in Bikaner, and Kapurdi and Jalipa in Barmer, host sufficient lignite reserves to support large-scale thermal power generation projects, making the state a leader in lignite-based energy production.

Explanation

Rajpura-Dariba, located in the Rajsamand district, is a prominent site for lead and zinc mining in Rajasthan, where ores are found within calc-silicate and graphite schist rocks. Nathra-ki-Pal in the Udaipur district is recognized for its significant iron ore deposits, primarily in the form of hematite. Kho-Dariba in the Alwar district is a well-known copper producing area situated within the phyllite and quartzite formations of the Delhi Supergroup. Bandar-Seendri in the Ajmer district is a notable location for beryllium mineralization, which occurs in the pegmatite veins characteristic of the Aravalli geological region.

Explanation

The Rajasthan Industrial and Investment Policy 2010 was formulated to accelerate industrial growth and enhance the state's competitiveness as an investment destination. One of its primary objectives was to promote rapid development in areas that could leverage the state's natural resources and strategic initiatives, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). The policy also emphasized the importance of human capital, aiming to achieve optimal human development and transition the state toward a knowledge-based economy by fostering innovation and skill-based industries. Additionally, the policy was designed to address the socio-economic challenge of unemployment by creating vast employment opportunities specifically tailored for the emerging youth population, ensuring that industrial growth translated into inclusive economic development.

Explanation

The Planning Commission of India released the poverty estimates for the year 2011-12 in July 2013, applying the methodology recommended by the Suresh Tendulkar Committee to the NSSO 68th Round data on Household Consumer Expenditure. According to these updated estimates, the total percentage of the population living below the poverty line in Rajasthan was 14.7 percent. This state-level poverty ratio comprised a rural poverty rate of 16.1 percent and an urban poverty rate of 10.7 percent. The figure of 14.7 percent aligns with the 15 percent estimate provided in the data. This marked a significant reduction from the 2009-10 estimates, where Rajasthan had a poverty ratio of 20.9 percent. During the same 2011-12 period, the national average poverty ratio was 21.9 percent, indicating that Rajasthan had a lower proportion of its population in poverty compared to the country as a whole.

Explanation

The Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP) is the primary nodal agency of the Government of Rajasthan responsible for investment promotion and facilitation in the state. Established in 1991, it serves as a single-window interface for investors looking to set up large-scale projects, typically those with an investment exceeding 10 crore rupees. BIP provides a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs by assisting with various approvals, clearances, and project implementation processes. It plays a critical role in organizing investment summits and global outreach programs to showcase the industrial potential of Rajasthan and attract domestic and foreign direct investment across diverse sectors.

Explanation

The 12th Five Year Plan of Rajasthan (2012–2017) established specific annual average growth rate targets to achieve balanced economic development across the state's economy. For the Agriculture sector, the target was set at 3.5 percent to focus on sustainable farming practices and rural stability. The Industrial sector was assigned a growth target of 8.0 percent to encourage manufacturing and infrastructure. The Services sector, which represents a significant portion of the economic output, was given the highest target of 9.5 percent. These sectoral targets combined to form an overall growth rate target for All Sectors, representing the Gross State Domestic Product, of 7.7 percent per annum during the plan period.

Explanation

The 2013 Human Development Report (HDR), titled The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World, was published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to this report, India was ranked 136th out of 187 countries based on its Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.554. This score placed India in the Medium Human Development category. The HDI is a composite statistic that measures average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life (life expectancy), access to education (mean and expected years of schooling), and a decent standard of living (GNI per capita). Between 1980 and 2012, India's HDI value increased significantly, but as of the 2013 assessment, its global standing was established at the 136th position.

Explanation

Stagflation is an economic condition characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation. The term is a portmanteau of stagnation and inflation. This phenomenon is particularly difficult for policymakers to manage because the traditional tools used to fight inflation, such as tightening monetary policy, tend to increase unemployment, while measures to stimulate growth and reduce unemployment can further drive up prices. It often occurs due to supply-side shocks, such as a sudden increase in the price of essential commodities like oil, which raises production costs across the economy, leading to both reduced output and rising prices.

Explanation

The Mayurbhanj district in Odisha is a significant source of iron ore, hosting major mines such as Gorumahisani and Badampahar that produce high-grade hematite. The Kudremukh deposit, located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, is situated in the Western Ghats and is famous for its large magnetite ore reserves meant for export. Bailadila is a mountain range in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh known for very high-grade hematite ore found in the Bastar plateau region. The Bonai range is geographically part of the larger iron ore province in eastern India that includes the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, and it is associated with Jharkhand in this specific classification to represent the iron ore belt of that region.

Explanation

Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) established a significant manufacturing unit in Ajmer in 1967 with technical assistance from Czechoslovakia. White Cement production is historically associated with Gotan in the Nagaur district, which is home to India's first white cement plant established by J.K. White Cement in 1984. Fertilizer industry is prominently located at Gadeopan (Gadepan) in Kota, where Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited operates one of the largest private-sector fertilizer plants. Electric Meter manufacturing is a specialized industry located in Jaipur, primarily driven by firms like Jaipur Metals and Electricals Limited.

Explanation

The Rajasthan State Chemical Works is a public sector undertaking of the Government of Rajasthan established in 1964 at Didwana in Nagaur district, sited to exploit the sodium-rich mineral deposits of the Didwana salt lake. The facility operates a Sodium Sulphate Plant and a Sodium Sulphide Plant, producing industrial chemicals used in the paper, glass, detergent, textile, and leather tanning industries. Didwana is located in the Nagaur district of western Rajasthan, within the broader region connected to Jodhpur, which is the major administrative and industrial centre of western Rajasthan. Among the options provided, Jodhpur represents the nearest significant industrial city to the Nagaur-Didwana belt.

Explanation

The National Manufacturing Policy 2011 was formulated to enhance the share of manufacturing in India's Gross Domestic Product to 25 percent and create a sustainable industrial ecosystem. Statement (i) is accurate as the policy specifically aimed to increase the manufacturing sector growth rate to 12-14 percent in the medium term to achieve its structural economic goals. Statement (ii) is correct because the policy set an ambitious target of creating 100 million additional jobs in the manufacturing sector, focusing on labor-intensive industries to absorb the growing workforce. Statement (iv) is correct as the implementation of this policy during the Twelfth Plan period was supported by an export-led growth strategy that targeted an annual growth rate of 25 percent for manufacturing exports to boost domestic production and improve India's trade balance.

Explanation

The National Manufacturing Policy 2011 set a target to increase the manufacturing sector's growth rate to 12-14 percent in the medium term to ensure its share in the national GDP reaches 25 percent by 2022. It aimed to enhance global competitiveness by creating an enabling environment through the establishment of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones and promoting technological self-reliance. To support these objectives during the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the policy framework envisioned a robust annual increase in manufacturing exports at a rate of 25 percent. These measures were designed to transform India into a global manufacturing hub while ensuring sustainable and inclusive industrial growth.

Explanation

The National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) 2011 was formulated with the primary objective of increasing the share of manufacturing in India's GDP to 25 percent by 2022. To reach this target, the policy set a goal to increase the sectoral growth rate to 12-14 percent over the medium term. It also aimed to generate 100 million additional jobs in manufacturing to provide employment for the growing labor force and facilitate the shift of workers from the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the NMP focused on enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturing through institutional mechanisms like National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NMIZs). These zones were designed as integrated industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure, land use based on environmental conservation, and simplified regulatory procedures to foster a conducive environment for domestic and international manufacturers.

Explanation

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 with the specific objective of increasing the production of rice, wheat, and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement to ensure national food security.

National Agricultural Development Plan, also known as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), focuses on incentivizing state governments to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors to achieve a four percent annual growth rate.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is a primary component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change designed to transform Indian agriculture into a climate-resilient production system through adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Rainfed Area Development Plan (RADP) targets small and marginal farmers in rainfed regions to increase their agricultural income by adopting integrated farming systems and location-specific potential agriculture.

Explanation

West Bengal has historically been the leading rice-producing state in India, accounting for nearly 14 to 15 percent of the country's total output. Its top position is sustained by the favorable agro-climatic conditions of the lower Gangetic plain and the practice of multiple cropping, where three varieties—Aus, Aman, and Boro—are harvested in a single year.

Andhra Pradesh, prior to its bifurcation, consistently ranked as a major producer, leveraging the highly fertile and well-irrigated Krishna-Godavari delta. Uttar Pradesh follows as a significant contributor due to the massive acreage dedicated to rice in its alluvial plains, although its average yield per hectare was traditionally lower than that of Punjab. Punjab ranks among the top producers because of its near-total irrigation coverage and high-yielding variety seeds; however, its smaller geographic size and total area under rice cultivation placed its total production volume behind the larger states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. This sequence represents the statistical distribution of rice production in India as documented in the years leading up to 2013.

Explanation

Let x be the number of 25 paise coins. Given that the number of ₹1 coins is three times the number of 25 paise coins, the number of ₹1 coins is 3x. Let y be the number of 50 paise coins.

The first equation is derived from the total number of coins: x + y + 3x = 220 4x + y = 220

The second equation is derived from the total value of the coins, which is ₹160. Expressing the value of each coin in terms of ₹: 0.25x + 0.50y + 1.00(3x) = 160 3.25x + 0.5y = 160

Multiplying the second equation by 2 to facilitate elimination: 6.5x + y = 320

Subtracting the first equation (4x + y = 220) from this result: (6.5x + y) - (4x + y) = 320 - 220 2.5x = 100 x = 40

Substituting the value of x back into the first equation: 4(40) + y = 220 160 + y = 220 y = 60

The number of 50 paise coins in the bag is 60.