12 July 2022

Q1. Consider the following with respect to Bharat Mala Project and choose the correct ones:

1. Under program, roads will be built along borders with Bhutan and Nepal, bottlenecks on existing Golden Quadrilateral highway network will be removed.
2.  Moreover, road connectivity to small industries will be ensured and manufacturing centres will be connected with national highways.

Select the correct answer using the code below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

C – Explanation:

Bharat Mala Project:

Ministry/Department :  Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway

Project:

It is an ambitious road and highways project.

It envisages construction of 34,800 km of roads along India’s borders, coastal areas, ports, religious and tourist places as well as over 100 district headquarters.

The BharatMala project will include economic corridors (9,000 km), inter-corridor and feeder route (6,000 km), national corridors efficiency improvement (5,000 km), border roads and international connectivity (2,000 km), coastal roads and port connectivity (2,000 km) and greenfield expressway (800 km).

Under programme, roads will be built along borders with Bhutan and Nepal, bottlenecks on existing Golden Quadrilateral highway network will be removed.

Moreover, road connectivity to small industries will be ensured and manufacturing centres will be connected with national highways.

Q2. Which of the following is/are correct with respect to Special Economic Zone (SEZ):

1. The SEZ are only physically located in the country but for the practical purposes they are as if outside the country and are deemed as foreign areas.
2. No duties or taxes are payable in SEZs.
3. No import duty is payable on any imports into the SEZs.

Select the correct answer using the code below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

D – Explanation:

Special Economic Zone (SEZ):

SEZ is a defined geographical area clearly demarcated with Boundary with in the domestic economy, but insulated known as SEZ.

The SEZ are only physically located in the country but for the practical purposes they are as if outside the country and are deemed as foreign areas.

No duties or taxes are payable in SEZs. No import duty is payable on any imports into the SEZs.

Q3. Consider the following statements on Special Economic Zone (SEZ):

1.SEZ is a geographical region deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs.

2.Economic laws are more liberal in SEZ.

3.Only State government or its agencies can set up an SEZ in India.

4.Establishment of SEZs are confined only to the developing countries.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 and 4
3. 1, 2 and 4
4. 1 and 2

D – Explanation:

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs. In order words, SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s typical economic laws. Usually the goal is to increase foreign investments. SEZs have been established in several countries, including China, India, Jordan, Poland, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Russia.

Any private/public/joint sector or state government or its agencies can set up an SEZ.

Q4. Which of the following pairs related to Indian cities is/are correct?

1.Chandigarh and Bhubaneshwar: planned cities of India.

2.Karaikal: highest sex ratio in India.

3.Bangalore: highest literacy rate in India.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. All

A – Explanation:

After Independence Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar are set up as planned cities in India. Kozikhode has the highest sex ratio. Aizawl has the highest literacy rate in India.

Q5. Different forms of models are used in designing urban projects. Which of the following is/are true about those?

1.In Engineering, Procurement & Construction model developer executes the project on behalf of the government.

2.Hybrid annuity model is a mix of BOT annuity and EPC Model.

3.In Swiss Challenge method the bid is published and invites the third parties to match or exceed it.

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. All

D – Explanation:

In EPC Model developer executes the project on behalf of the government.

In hybrid annuity model government will contribute to 40% of the project cost in first five years through annuity and remaining will be on basis on assets created and performance of developer. Hence Hybrid annuity model is a mix of BOT annuity and EPC Model.

In Swiss Challenge government agency publishes the bid and invites the third parties to match or exceed it.

Q6. Which of the following are the proposed benefits of the Real Estate Act, 2016?

1.It will help Government of India in implementing ‘Housing for All by 2022’, through enhanced private participation.

2.It makes mandatory registration for both residential and commercial real estate projects thus will restore confidence of the general public in the real estate sector.

3.It is expected to ensure greater accountability of real estate companies towards customers as well as the government.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. All

D – Explanation:

Its aim is both to protect home buyers and increase the investment scope in real estate. It makes mandatory registration for both residential and commercial real estate projects with Real Estate Regularity Authority. The Bill ensures mandatory disclosure by promoters to customers through registration of real estate projects as well as real estate agents with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The Bill aims at restoring confidence of the general public in the real estate sector; by instituting transparency and accountability in real estate and housing transactions. This in turn will enable the sector to access capital and financial markets essential for its long term growth. The Bill will promote orderly growth through consequent efficient project execution, professionalism and standardization. The Bill is expected to ensure greater accountability towards consumers, and to significantly reduce frauds and delays. The Bill is also expected to promote regulated and orderly growth through efficiency, professionalism and standardization. It seeks to ensure consumer protection, without adding another stage in the procedure for sanctions. These measures are expected to boost domestic and foreign investment in the sector and help achieve the objective of the Government of India to provide ‘Housing for All by 2022’, through enhanced private participation.

Q7. Which of the following statements is/are true about impact of urbanization on national economy?

1.High rate of urbanisation will increase the inflation in the region.

2.It promotes the growth of consumption and lead to credit growth in the market.

3.The capital expenditure incurred by the government in expanding urban centre lead to asset creation.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All

D – Explanation:

Urbanisation leads to rise in demand in urban areas. More things are needed for consumption. Hence it leads to rise in inflation. All the expenditure incurred can be grouped into capital and revenue. The money spent for creation of assets like roads,water supply,etc will be counted in capital expenditure. The money spent for salaries for the people in government service will be counted in revenue expenditure. The high rise in demand will also make people borrow money for investment or consumption , hence it will lead to rise in credit growth.

Q8. Which of the following pairs of planned cities and their architect in India is/are correct?

1.Bhubhaneshwar by Charles Correa

2.New Delhi by Edwin Lutyens

3.Chandigarh by Le Corbuiser

1. 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. All

B – Explanation:

Bhubhaneshwar designed by Otto H Konigsberger.

Q9. India has signed many sister city agreements with other nations. What is/are the purposes of declaring two cities as sister cities?

1.To foster friendship and understanding between different cultures.

2.To encourage trade and tourism.

3.To encourage an act of peace and reconciliation between nations.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All

D – Explanation:

After being officially bound at a signing ceremony, sister cities agree to share and contribute diverse ideas and activities between each other. It was intended to foster friendship and understanding between different cultures and between former foes as an act of peace and reconciliation and to encourage trade and tourism.

Q10. Security Transaction Tax is applicable on which of the following securities:

1. Shares,
2. Bonds,
3. Debentures,
4. Off-market share transactions
5. Units issued by any collective investment scheme

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

C – Explanation:

STT is a type of direct tax payable on the value of taxable securities transaction done through a recognized stock exchange in the country.The securities on which STT is applicable are shares, bonds, debentures, derivatives, units issued by any collective investment scheme, equity based government rights or interests in securities and equity mutual funds. Off-market share transactions are not covered under STT. Hence STT is not on 4. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.