Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Urbanization and Its Impact on Indian Society” for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. What is the primary driver of urbanization in India?

• a) Migration for better job opportunities
• b) Increase in rural population
• c) Decrease in industrial activities
• d) Expansion of agricultural land
  Answer: a) Migration for better job opportunities

2. As per the 2011 Census, what percentage of India’s population lived in urban areas?

• a) 25%
• b) 30%
• c) 35%
• d) 40%
  Answer: b) 30%

3. Which city is known for being the IT hub of India and a major center of urbanization?

• a) Delhi
• b) Mumbai
• c) Bangalore
• d) Chennai
  Answer: c) Bangalore

4. Urbanization has led to an increase in which of the following issues in Indian cities?

• a) Improved rural infrastructure
• b) Traffic congestion
• c) Decreased pollution levels
• d) Enhanced green spaces
  Answer: b) Traffic congestion

5. Which scheme aims to provide affordable housing in urban areas of India?

• a) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
• b) Swachh Bharat Mission
• c) Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
• d) National Urban Transport Policy
  Answer: a) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

6. What is the impact of urbanization on rural-to-urban migration in India?

• a) Decrease in rural population
• b) Increase in rural employment
• c) Stabilization of rural economies
• d) Reduction in urban population
  Answer: a) Decrease in rural population

7. Which of the following is a major challenge of rapid urbanization in Indian cities?

• a) Improved public transportation
• b) Increase in urban greenery
• c) Overburdened public services
• d) Decline in housing prices
  Answer: c) Overburdened public services

8. What is the primary purpose of the Smart Cities Mission in India?

• a) Promote rural development
• b) Enhance urban infrastructure and services
• c) Encourage international tourism
• d) Decrease urban population
  Answer: b) Enhance urban infrastructure and services

9. Which city is often cited as an example of successful urban planning in India?

• a) Mumbai
• b) Chandigarh
• c) Delhi
• d) Kolkata
  Answer: b) Chandigarh

10. The concept of “urban sprawl” refers to:

• a) Expansion of green spaces
• b) Spread of urban development into rural areas
• c) Decrease in urban population density
• d) Centralization of urban services
  Answer: b) Spread of urban development into rural areas

11. Which demographic trend is commonly associated with urbanization in India?

• a) Aging population
• b) Youthful population
• c) Declining birth rates
• d) Increase in elderly care facilities
  Answer: b) Youthful population

12. What is one of the major environmental impacts of urbanization in Indian cities?

• a) Increased air quality
• b) Decreased noise pollution
• c) Loss of green spaces
• d) Improved water resources
  Answer: c) Loss of green spaces

13. Which government initiative focuses on improving sanitation and waste management in Indian cities?

• a) National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGS)
• b) Swachh Bharat Mission
• c) Skill India Mission
• d) Digital India Campaign
  Answer: b) Swachh Bharat Mission

14. How does urbanization affect the social structure of Indian cities?

• a) Strengthening traditional social norms
• b) Creation of diverse social and cultural interactions
• c) Decrease in community activities
• d) Reduction in social inequality
  Answer: b) Creation of diverse social and cultural interactions

15. Which urban area development program aims to provide basic urban amenities to the poor?

• a) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
• b) National Urban Health Mission
• c) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
• d) Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
  Answer: a) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana

16. The “Make in India” initiative aims to boost manufacturing in which type of areas?

• a) Rural areas
• b) Urban centers
• c) Coastal regions
• d) Agricultural zones
  Answer: b) Urban centers

17. Which major urbanization challenge involves the settlement of people in informal housing areas?

• a) High real estate prices
• b) Insufficient formal housing
• c) Increased land acquisition
• d) Enhanced urban planning
  Answer: b) Insufficient formal housing

18. Which Indian city has faced significant challenges with water supply due to rapid urbanization?

• a) Bangalore
• b) Chennai
• c) Delhi
• d) Hyderabad
  Answer: b) Chennai

19. What is a significant consequence of the “urban heat island” effect in cities?

• a) Lower temperatures in urban areas
• b) Increased energy consumption for cooling
• c) Decreased air pollution
• d) Improved local climate
  Answer: b) Increased energy consumption for cooling

20. How has urbanization impacted traditional family structures in India?

• a) Reinforced joint family systems
• b) Increased nuclear families
• c) Decreased family migration
• d) Stabilized extended family networks
  Answer: b) Increased nuclear families

21. The “National Urban Transport Policy” aims to:

• a) Improve rural transportation
• b) Encourage private vehicle use
• c) Develop sustainable urban transport systems
• d) Reduce investment in public transit
  Answer: c) Develop sustainable urban transport systems

22. Which sector benefits significantly from urbanization through increased demand for services?

• a) Agriculture
• b) Manufacturing
• c) Real estate
• d) Mining
  Answer: c) Real estate

23. Which government program focuses on upgrading infrastructure and services in slum areas?

• a) Rajiv Awas Yojana
• b) National Health Mission
• c) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
• d) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
  Answer: a) Rajiv Awas Yojana

24. What is a key factor contributing to the rise of informal sectors in urban India?

• a) High formal sector wages
• b) Limited job opportunities in the formal sector
• c) Strong labor unions
• d) High educational attainment
  Answer: b) Limited job opportunities in the formal sector

25. How does urbanization impact local government finances?

• a) Increased revenue from rural taxes
• b) Decreased spending on urban infrastructure
• c) Increased expenditure on urban infrastructure
• d) Stabilized budget allocations
  Answer: c) Increased expenditure on urban infrastructure

26. What is one of the major health concerns associated with rapid urbanization?

• a) Decreased incidence of communicable diseases
• b) Increased non-communicable diseases
• c) Improved access to healthcare
• d) Reduced pollution-related health issues
  Answer: b) Increased non-communicable diseases

27. What urban phenomenon involves the growth of suburban areas around major cities?

• a) Urban decay
• b) Urban regeneration
• c) Suburbanization
• d) Urban core development
  Answer: c) Suburbanization

28. Which factor contributes to the spread of urban poverty in expanding cities?

• a) High levels of formal employment
• b) Inadequate social safety nets
• c) Increased educational opportunities
• d) Decreased rural migration
  Answer: b) Inadequate social safety nets

29. What role does technology play in managing urbanization challenges?

• a) Exacerbates infrastructure problems
• b) Enhances data collection and management
• c) Increases environmental degradation
• d) Reduces urban growth
  Answer: b) Enhances data collection and management

30. Which initiative is aimed at creating more sustainable urban environments in India?

• a) Green India Mission
• b) National Biodiversity Action Plan
• c) Smart Cities Mission
• d) Clean Energy Mission
  Answer: c) Smart Cities Mission

These questions cover various aspects of urbanization, including its impacts, challenges, and government responses.