Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Poverty and Social Inequality in India” for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. What is the primary measure used to assess poverty in India?

• a) Human Development Index (HDI)
• b) Poverty Line Index
• c) Consumer Price Index (CPI)
• d) National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data
  Answer: b) Poverty Line Index

2. The “Tendulkar Committee” is known for:

• a) Introducing the Green Revolution
• b) Setting the poverty line for India
• c) Reforming the education system
• d) Implementing economic liberalization policies
  Answer: b) Setting the poverty line for India

3. The “Multidimensional Poverty Index” (MPI) includes measures of:

• a) Income only
• b) Education, health, and living standards
• c) Political stability
• d) Agricultural productivity
  Answer: b) Education, health, and living standards

4. The “National Rural Employment Guarantee Act” (NREGA) aims to:

• a) Provide unemployment benefits
• b) Guarantee 100 days of wage employment in rural areas
• c) Improve urban infrastructure
• d) Increase agricultural productivity
  Answer: b) Guarantee 100 days of wage employment in rural areas

5. Which of the following programs is specifically aimed at improving the standard of living for the poor in India?

• a) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
• b) Swachh Bharat Mission
• c) National Health Mission
• d) All of the above
  Answer: d) All of the above

6. The “Right to Information Act” (RTI) 2005 helps in reducing social inequality by:

• a) Increasing transparency in government operations
• b) Providing financial aid to the poor
• c) Enhancing educational opportunities
• d) Improving health services
  Answer: a) Increasing transparency in government operations

7. Which of the following is a major cause of social inequality in India?

• a) Economic growth
• b) Education reforms
• c) Caste system
• d) Technological advancement
  Answer: c) Caste system

8. The “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” (SSA) focuses on:

• a) Providing job opportunities for the youth
• b) Ensuring universal elementary education
• c) Improving health infrastructure
• d) Increasing agricultural output
  Answer: b) Ensuring universal elementary education

9. The “Scheduled Castes” (SC) and “Scheduled Tribes” (ST) categories in India are aimed at:

• a) Promoting social harmony
• b) Providing reservations and affirmative action
• c) Enhancing economic growth
• d) Improving foreign relations
  Answer: b) Providing reservations and affirmative action

10. The “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana” (PMAY) aims to:

• a) Increase agricultural productivity
• b) Provide affordable housing to the poor
• c) Enhance educational facilities
• d) Improve health care services
  Answer: b) Provide affordable housing to the poor

11. The “National Food Security Act” (NFSA) ensures:

• a) Access to free education
• b) Subsidized food grains to eligible households
• c) Employment opportunities
• d) Affordable health care
  Answer: b) Subsidized food grains to eligible households

12. Which of the following factors contributes significantly to rural poverty in India?

• a) Urbanization
• b) Industrialization
• c) Agricultural distress
• d) Technological innovation
  Answer: c) Agricultural distress

13. The “Mid-Day Meal Scheme” was introduced to:

• a) Provide free books to students
• b) Improve nutritional status of school children
• c) Increase school infrastructure
• d) Offer financial aid to poor families
  Answer: b) Improve nutritional status of school children

14. The “National Rural Health Mission” (NRHM) aims to:

• a) Increase urban healthcare facilities
• b) Improve healthcare delivery in rural areas
• c) Promote higher education
• d) Enhance industrial development
  Answer: b) Improve healthcare delivery in rural areas

15. Which of the following is NOT a component of the “Social Protection Scheme” in India?

• a) National Old Age Pension Scheme
• b) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
• c) National Skill Development Corporation
• d) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
  Answer: d) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

16. The “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act” (MGNREGA) provides:

• a) 50 days of wage employment per year
• b) 100 days of wage employment per year
• c) Pension benefits
• d) Educational scholarships
  Answer: b) 100 days of wage employment per year

17. The “Direct Benefit Transfer” (DBT) system is designed to:

• a) Enhance foreign trade
• b) Transfer subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts
• c) Increase government revenue
• d) Promote digital literacy
  Answer: b) Transfer subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts

18. The “National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme” was renamed as:

• a) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
• b) National Rural Employment Assurance Scheme
• c) Rural Employment Guarantee Act
• d) National Employment Guarantee Scheme
  Answer: a) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

19. The “Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme” (IGNOAPS) provides:

• a) Pension benefits to senior citizens
• b) Educational assistance to children
• c) Employment opportunities
• d) Health insurance
  Answer: a) Pension benefits to senior citizens

20. The “Swachh Bharat Mission” focuses on:

• a) Promoting clean energy
• b) Improving sanitation and hygiene
• c) Increasing green cover
• d) Enhancing agricultural practices
  Answer: b) Improving sanitation and hygiene

21. The “Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana” (PMGSY) aims to:

• a) Develop rural roads
• b) Increase urban infrastructure
• c) Enhance healthcare facilities
• d) Provide educational grants
  Answer: a) Develop rural roads

22. Which government scheme aims to provide scholarships to economically disadvantaged students?

• a) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
• b) National Scholarship Portal
• c) Atal Pension Yojana
• d) Ayushman Bharat
  Answer: b) National Scholarship Portal

23. The “National Rural Employment Guarantee Act” (NREGA) was enacted in which year?

• a) 2001
• b) 2005
• c) 2010
• d) 2015
  Answer: b) 2005

24. The “Integrated Child Development Services” (ICDS) program focuses on:

• a) Rural employment
• b) Early childhood care and development
• c) Skill development for youth
• d) Agricultural support
  Answer: b) Early childhood care and development

25. The “Atal Pension Yojana” (APY) provides:

• a) Health insurance
• b) Pension benefits for the elderly
• c) Education loans
• d) Housing subsidies
  Answer: b) Pension benefits for the elderly

26. The “National Social Assistance Programme” (NSAP) includes:

• a) Free education for children
• b) Subsidized housing for the poor
• c) Social pensions and financial assistance
• d) Employment guarantee schemes
  Answer: c) Social pensions and financial assistance

27. The “Bharat Nirman” program focuses on:

• a) Industrial development
• b) Rural infrastructure development
• c) Urban housing
• d) International trade
  Answer: b) Rural infrastructure development

28. The “Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry” in India is responsible for:

• a) Managing defense affairs
• b) Promoting economic growth
• c) Addressing social inequality and welfare programs
• d) Regulating foreign trade
  Answer: c) Addressing social inequality and welfare programs

29. The “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana” (PMJDY) aims to:

• a) Improve agricultural productivity
• b) Provide financial inclusion to the unbanked
• c) Increase urban infrastructure
• d) Enhance education facilities
  Answer: b) Provide financial inclusion to the unbanked

30. The “National Rural Employment Guarantee Act” (NREGA) primarily benefits:

• a) Urban workers
• b) Government officials
• c) Rural workers and poor families
• d) Industrial workers
  Answer: c) Rural workers and poor families

These questions cover various aspects of poverty and social inequality in India, including government programs, policies, and socio-economic challenges.