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Poverty Unemployment

Asked 21 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2019

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In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some states than in other because

2019Economy
APoverty rates vary from state to state
BPrice levels vary from state to state
CGross state product varies from state to state
DQuality of public distribution varies from state to state

Explanation

In India, official poverty lines differ between states due to variations in price levels. Poverty lines are calculated based on state-specific figures and adjusted using the Consumer Price Index. Therefore, the correct option is (b) Price levels vary from state to state.

What is the purpose of setting up of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India? 1. To supply credit to small business units 2. To supply credit to small and marginal farmers 3. To encourage young entrepreneurs to set up business particularly in rural areas. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2017Economy
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Small Finance Banks (SFBs) are established in India with the primary goal of providing credit to small business units and small and marginal farmers. Additionally, they aim to promote the establishment of businesses, especially among young entrepreneurs in rural areas. When the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) called for applications to set up SFBs, the specific focus was on providing credit to small business units and small and marginal farmers only.

Regarding 'Atal Pension Yojana', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers. 2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme. 3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber's death. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2016Economy
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In the Atal Pension Yojana, multiple family members can join the scheme without any restrictions.

With reference to 'Stand up India scheme', which of the following statement is/are correct? 1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. 2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2016Economy
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The 'Stand up India Scheme' was introduced by the Prime Minister to encourage entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and women. It includes a Rs 10,000 crore refinance option provided by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at

2016Economy
Abringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system
Bproviding loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops
Cproviding pensions to old and destitute persons
Dfunding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, operating under the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank, is an initiative by the Indian government to support funding for small businesses that are not part of larger corporations. This program aims to bring small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system.

'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for

2015Economy
Aproviding housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
Bpromoting women's Self-Help Groups in backward areas
Cpromoting financial inclusion in the country
Dproviding financial help to the marginalized communities

Explanation

The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a national initiative aimed at promoting financial inclusion by ensuring access to financial services for all individuals in the country.

Disguised unemployment generally means

2013Economy
Alarge number of people remain unemployed
Balternative employment is not available
Cmarginal productivity of labour is zero
Dproductivity of workers is low

Explanation

Disguised unemployment refers to a situation where individuals are employed but their contribution to productivity is minimal or zero, meaning that their presence in the workforce does not make a significant impact.

The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following? 1. Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at household level 2. Purchasing power parity at national level 3. Extent of budget deficit and GDP growth rate at national level. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

2012Economy
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index, developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative in collaboration with UNDP, focuses on assessing the lack of education, healthcare, assets, and services within households.

Microfinance is the provision of financial services to people of low-income groups. This includes both the consumers and the self-employed. The service/services rendered under microfinance is/are: 1. Credit facilities 2. Savings facilities 3. Insurance facilities 4. Fund Transfer facilities. Select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists?

2011Economy
A1 only
B1 and 4 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Microfinance involves offering financial services to individuals in low-income brackets, encompassing both consumers and self-employed individuals. These services include credit, savings, insurance, and fund transfers. The correct answer to the question is option (d) - 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the 'Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act'?

2011Economy
AAdult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households
BAdult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
CAdult members of households of all backward communities
DAdult members of any household

Explanation

Under the 'Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act', all adult members of any household are eligible to benefit, regardless of their caste, poverty status, or community affiliation. This means that any adult member of a registered household can apply for work opportunities provided under the Act.

Which of the following can aid in furthering the Government's objective of inclusive growth? 1. Promoting Self-Help Groups. 2. Promoting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. 3. Implementing the Right to Education Act. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

2011Economy
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation

In order to achieve inclusive growth, the government can promote Self-Help Groups, support Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, and implement the Right to Education Act. These measures aim to empower both economically and socially marginalized individuals.

Inclusive growth as enunciated in the Eleventh Five Year Plan does not include one of the following:

2010Economy
AReduction of poverty
BExtension of employment opportunities
CStrengthening of capital market
DReduction of gender inequality

Explanation

In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, inclusive growth is described as broad-based, shared, and pro-poor growth. It aims to reduce poverty, extend employment opportunities, and decrease gender inequality. However, it does not focus on strengthening the capital market, which is allowed to function independently in the open market.

With reference to India, consider the following: 1. Nationalization of Banks 2. Formation of Regional Rural Banks 3. Adoption of villages by Bank Branches. Which of the above can be considered as steps taken to achieve the 'financial inclusion' in India?

2010Economy
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In India, steps taken towards achieving 'financial inclusion' include the nationalization of banks, the formation of Regional Rural Banks, and the adoption of villages by bank branches. 'Financial inclusion' aims to provide affordable financial services to disadvantaged and low-income groups, ensuring that banking and payment services are accessible to the entire population without discrimination.

The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana which came into operation from 1-12-1997 aims to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or underemployed poor but does not include:

2000Economy
ANehru Rozgar Yojana
BUrban Basic Services Programme
CPrime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme
DPrime Minister's Rozgar Yojana

Explanation

The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana, starting from 1-12-1997, aims to provide job opportunities to urban poor who are unemployed or underemployed. The scheme does not include the Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana. Within the SJSRY, there are two sub-schemes: the Urban self-employment program and the Urban wage employment program. Additionally, three other schemes - Nehru Rozgar Yojana, Urban Basic Services Programme, and Prime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme - were merged into this program.

Which one of the following is the objective of National Renewal Fund?

1999Economy
ATo safeguard the interests of workers who may be affected by technological upgradation of industry or closure of sick units
BTo develop the core sector of the economy
CFor the development of infrastructure such as energy, transport communications and irrigation
DFor human resource development such as full literacy, employment population control, housing and drinking water

Explanation

The National Renewal Fund was introduced by the Government in 1991 under the New Industrial Policy. It was officially established through a Government of India resolution on February 3, 1992.

The Employment Assurance Scheme envisages financial assistance to rural areas for guaranteeing employment to at least:

1999Economy
A50 percent of the men and women seeking jobs in rural areas
B50 percent of the men seeking jobs in rural areas
Cone man and one woman in a rural family living below the poverty line
Done person in a rural landless household living below the poverty line

Explanation

The Employment Assurance Scheme was introduced on October 2, 1993. It aimed to provide wage employment to a maximum of two adults per family.

Persons below the poverty line in India are classified as such based whether:

1999Economy
Athey are entitled to a minimum prescribed food basket
Bthey get work for a prescribed minimum number of days in a year
Cthey belong to agricultural labourer household and the scheduled caste/tribe social group
Dtheir daily wages fall below the prescribed minimum wages

Explanation

In India, individuals below the poverty line are identified based on their eligibility for a minimum prescribed food basket. This criterion determines whether a person falls below the poverty line.

Among which one of the following sets of social/religious groups is the extent of poverty the highest, as per Government statistics for the nineties?

1999Economy
AMuslims in Kerala, Gujarat and A.P.
BTribals in Bihar, Orissa, M.P. and Maharashtra
CScheduled Caste in Punjab, Western UP, Northern Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
DChristians in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam

Explanation

According to the Central Statistical Organisation's recent data, the highest level of poverty is found among tribal communities in Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh.

Human Poverty Index was introduced in the Human Development Report of the year:

1998Economy
A1994
B1995
C1996
D1997

Explanation

The Human Poverty Index (HPI) was included in the Human Development Report in 1997 as a measure of living standards in a nation. It was created by the United Nations (UN) to supplement the Human Development Index (HDI).

Consider the following statements: Most international agencies which find Development Programme in India on intergovernmental bilateral agreements, mainly provide: 1. Technical assistance 2. Soft loans which are required to be paid back with interest 3. Grants, not required to be paid back 4. Food assistance to be paid back

1996Economy
A2 and 4 are correct
B1, 2 and 3 are correct
C1, 2 and 4 are correct
D3 and 4 are correct

Explanation

Poverty alleviation programs in India are often supported by international agencies through intergovernmental agreements. These agencies typically provide technical assistance, soft loans that need to be repaid with interest, grants that do not need to be repaid, and food assistance that requires repayment. The correct statement is that options 1, 2, and 3 are accurate.

Which one of the following is true regarding the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY)?

1995Economy
AIt was launched during the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi
BIt aims at creating one million jobs annually
CThe target group of JRY are the urban poor living below the poverty line
DUnder the scheme 30% of the employment generated is reserved for women

Explanation

The Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) aimed to create job opportunities primarily for those living below the poverty line, with a focus on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and freed bonded laborers. The scheme also reserved 30% of the employment opportunities for women in rural areas.