Economic and Social Development

Which one of the following dimensions is not included in Human Development Index ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Life Expectancy at birth” option2=”Mean years of schooling” option3=”Expected years of schooling” option4=”Mortality rate” correct=”option4″]

The correct option is D. The question asks which dimension is *not* included in the Human Development Index (HDI).

The Human Development Index (HDI), developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development. It comprises three basic dimensions:
1. **A long and healthy life:** Measured by Life Expectancy at Birth.
2. **Knowledge:** Measured by Mean Years of Schooling for adults aged 25 years and more and Expected Years of Schooling for children of school entering age.
3. **A decent standard of living:** Measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP$).

Options A (Life Expectancy at birth), B (Mean years of schooling), and C (Expected years of schooling) are all direct components used in calculating the HDI. Option D (Mortality rate), while related to health outcomes and life expectancy, is not one of the specific dimensions or indicators directly used in the standard HDI calculation. Life expectancy at birth is used as the indicator for the health dimension.

Financial Action Task Force is :

[amp_mcq option1=”A wing under the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau” option2=”A division of Enforcement Directorate” option3=”A global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog” option4=”A UN Anti-Corruption Agency” correct=”option3″]

The correct option is C) A global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental policy-making body established in 1989. Its primary objectives are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. It is not part of India’s domestic agencies like CEIB or ED, nor is it a formal UN agency, although it works closely with the UN.

FATF monitors countries’ progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations through peer reviews. It also identifies jurisdictions with weak measures and places them under increased monitoring (‘grey list’) or calls for countermeasures (‘black list’). Being placed on these lists can have significant economic and reputational consequences for a country.

Which one of the following UN organizations has not been awarded the Nobel Prize ?

[amp_mcq option1=”WFP” option2=”ILO” option3=”UNESCO” option4=”UNHCR” correct=”option3″]

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has not been awarded the Nobel Prize.

– The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations who have done the most or best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.
– A) WFP (World Food Programme): Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas.
– B) ILO (International Labour Organization): Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 for its work to promote fraternity and peace among nations by establishing social justice.
– C) UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): UNESCO’s mission is to build peace through international cooperation in Education, Science and Culture. While its work contributes to peace, the organization itself has not been directly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
– D) UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice, in 1954 and 1981, for its work with refugees.

Several other UN related entities or personnel have received the Nobel Peace Prize, such as the UN Peacekeeping Forces (1988), Kofi Annan (UN Secretary-General, shared in 2001), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is a UN body (shared in 2007). However, among the options provided, UNESCO is the organization that has not received the prize itself.

Which one among the following statements about the objectives of Vibrant Village Programme is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is a Centrally sponsored scheme.” option2=”This programme was launched in 2021.” option3=”Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur are the states selected under this scheme.” option4=”Villages of Uttar Pradesh along the Nepal border are selected as flagship villages under this scheme.” correct=”option3″]

The statement that Vibrant Village Programme is a Centrally sponsored scheme is correct.

– A) It is a Centrally sponsored scheme. The Vibrant Village Programme was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 and is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, meaning the funding is shared between the Central Government and the State Governments. This statement is correct.
– B) This programme was launched in 2021. The programme was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 and subsequently launched. Its period is for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26. So, launched in 2022-23, not 2021. This statement is incorrect.
– C) Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur are the states selected under this scheme. The programme focuses on villages along the Northern border. The states/UT covered are Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh. Manipur is not along the Northern border with China and is not included in the list of states under this scheme. This statement is incorrect.
– D) Villages of Uttar Pradesh along the Nepal border are selected as flagship villages under this scheme. The programme targets villages along India’s Northern land border with China. Uttar Pradesh shares a border with Nepal, which is not the focus of this specific programme. This statement is incorrect.

The objective of VVP is comprehensive development of selected villages in 19 districts and 46 border blocks in the 4 states and 1 UT, with a focus on improving infrastructure and livelihood opportunities. This is aimed at preventing out-migration and strengthening the border area.

Consider the following statements regarding poverty in India:

• While determining poverty line in India, a minimum level of food requirement, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and medical requirements, etc. are determined for subsistence.
• The accepted average calorie requirement in India is 2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories per person per day in urban areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.

Statement 1 is correct. While determining the poverty line in India historically and currently, the expenditure on a minimum level of basic needs including food, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, education, and medical requirements is considered for subsistence.
Statement 2 is correct. The accepted average calorie requirement used historically in India for poverty estimation was indeed 2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories per person per day in urban areas, as recommended by expert groups like the Task Force on Projections of Minimum Needs and Effective Consumption Demand (1979). This calorie norm was a key basis for calculating poverty lines in the past.

Later committees like the Tendulkar Committee and the Rangarajan Committee moved towards using expenditure-based poverty lines that implicitly account for these needs, but the calorie norms mentioned in statement 2 were a significant part of the methodology in earlier approaches to poverty estimation in India.

SDG India Index, developed by NITI Aayog, includes 17 SDGs for each State. Which one of the following is *not* included in that index?

[amp_mcq option1=”Zero hunger” option2=”Reduced unemployment” option3=”Life below water” option4=”Responsible consumption and production” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) Life below water.

The SDG India Index developed by NITI Aayog maps the progress of States and Union Territories against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While most of the 17 global goals are included, some goals like SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) are often difficult to measure comprehensively at the sub-national level across all states, especially for landlocked states, and are therefore typically not fully included or measured with limited indicators in the main index. The other goals listed (Zero hunger, Reduced unemployment – covered under Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible consumption and production) are generally included in the index framework.

The SDG India Index is a tool to monitor the progress of states and UTs on the SDGs and promote competitive federalism. Different editions of the index might refine the indicators and inclusion of goals based on data availability and relevance. However, SDG 14 is a goal with limited direct relevance and data availability across all Indian states, making its comprehensive inclusion challenging.

Which is the only country in the world to officially proclaim the Gross National Happiness (GNH) as the measure of the country’s progress ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Finland” option2=”Bhutan” option3=”Nepal” option4=”Switzerland” correct=”option2″]

Bhutan is the only country in the world to officially proclaim Gross National Happiness (GNH) as the measure of the country’s progress.

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. GNH is rooted in Buddhist spiritual values and emphasizes a holistic approach to development, balancing material and spiritual well-being. It comprises nine domains: psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, ecological diversity and resilience, community vitality, and living standards.

The concept was introduced by Bhutan’s fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in the 1970s. It serves as a guiding principle for Bhutan’s development plans and policies, aiming to ensure that development is sustainable and that the population benefits equitably.

Which of the following concepts are considered as pillars of Human Development ?

• 1. Equity
• 2. Sustainability
• 3. Productivity
• 4. Security

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 and 4 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option4″]

All four concepts listed are considered pillars of Human Development.

The concept of Human Development, championed by economists like Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, emphasizes expanding people’s freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being. Four key pillars are often identified:
1. **Equity**: Ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, income, etc.
2. **Sustainability**: Ensuring that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
3. **Productivity**: Ensuring that people are fully engaged in income generation and other productive processes, which requires investing in their capabilities and providing an enabling environment.
4. **Empowerment/Security**: Ensuring that people are able to participate in the decisions that affect their lives and are free from chronic threats and sudden disruptions. Security (including economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political security) is closely linked to empowerment and is often considered the fourth pillar or a critical component.

The Human Development Index (HDI), published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), measures development based on three basic dimensions: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. While HDI uses specific indicators, the broader concept of Human Development is built upon these underlying pillars.

Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System :

• 1. The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State/Union Territories.
• 2. Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments.
• 3. Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries.
• 4. Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”2 and 3 only” option2=”1, 2 and 4″ option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”3 and 4 only” correct=”option2″]

The correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.

Statement 1 is correct. The Public Distribution System (PDS) operates under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/Union Territory Governments. The Centre is responsible for procurement, allocation, and transportation of foodgrains up to the designated depots, while the States/UTs are responsible for distribution, identifying eligible families, issuing ration cards, and supervising the Fair Price Shops (FPS).
Statement 2 is correct. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the primary agency responsible for the procurement, storage, and movement of food grains to the depots from where they are transported to the States/UTs for distribution under the PDS.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The identification of eligible households and issuance of ration cards is primarily the responsibility of the respective State/UT Governments.
Statement 4 is correct. While the Central Government focuses on essential food grains like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene, many States/UTs distribute additional items of mass consumption such as pulses, edible oils, salt, etc., through the PDS outlets using their own resources.

The PDS is a crucial component of India’s food security system, aimed at providing subsidized food and non-food items to the poor. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, gives legal entitlement to receive subsidized foodgrains under PDS.

Which of the following is/are United Nations Sustainable Development Goal(s) ?

• 1. Decent work and economic growth
• 2. Peace, justice and strong institutions
• 3. Responsible consumption and production

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”1, 2 and 3″ option3=”2 only” option4=”1 and 3 only” correct=”option2″]

All three listed statements are United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. There are 17 SDGs in total.

Statement 1, ‘Decent work and economic growth’, is SDG 8. Statement 2, ‘Peace, justice and strong institutions’, is SDG 16. Statement 3, ‘Responsible consumption and production’, is SDG 12. All three are indeed among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN.