Industrial Sector

11. In November 2019, authorised capital of which one of the following pub

In November 2019, authorised capital of which one of the following public sector units was increased from ₹ 3,500 crore to ₹ 10,000 crore ?

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Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Numaligarh Refinery Limited
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
Food Corporation of India
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
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In November 2019, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the increase in the authorized capital of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) from ₹3,500 crore to ₹10,000 crore. This increase was aimed at supporting the Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP), which sought to triple the refinery’s capacity from 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 9 MMTPA.
Authorised capital is the maximum amount of share capital that a company can issue to shareholders. Increasing it allows the company to raise more funds through equity for its projects and expansion plans. NRL is a public sector undertaking involved in oil refining, located in Assam.
The Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project is a significant infrastructure project aimed at boosting the refining capacity in Northeast India, enhancing energy security, and promoting regional development. The increase in authorized capital was a crucial step to facilitate the funding for this large-scale expansion. NRL is a subsidiary of Oil India Limited (OIL).

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12. Which of the following are products of Agro Based Industry? 1. Silk ya

Which of the following are products of Agro Based Industry?
1. Silk yarn
2. Cotton yarn
3. Polyfibre yarn
4. Polyester yarn
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1, 2 and 3 only
1 and 4 only
3 and 4 only
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
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Silk yarn and Cotton yarn are products of Agro Based Industry.
– Agro-based industries use agricultural produce as raw materials.
– Silk is obtained from silkworms, which are cultivated and fed on agricultural products like mulberry leaves. Sericulture is an agricultural activity. Thus, silk yarn is an agro-based product.
– Cotton is a fiber crop cultivated in agriculture. Cotton yarn is produced by processing raw cotton. Thus, cotton yarn is also an agro-based product.
– Polyfibre yarn and Polyester yarn are synthetic fibers produced from petrochemicals, not agricultural raw materials. They are products of the chemical industry.
Examples of agro-based industries include food processing (sugar, flour, fruits, vegetables), textile industries using natural fibers (cotton, jute, silk, wool), rubber, paper (from wood pulp, which can be considered related to forestry/agriculture), etc.

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13. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSM

According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between ₹ 15 crore and ₹ 25 crore.

  • 2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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Statement 1 is incorrect as per the definitions of ‘medium enterprises’ under the MSMED Act, 2006 (including relevant notifications before the 2020 revision). Statement 2 is correct regarding the priority sector status of bank loans to MSMEs.
– Under the MSMED Act, 2006 (prior to the 2020 revision), Medium Enterprises were defined based on investment in Plant and Machinery/Equipment, with limits generally being > ₹5 crore and <= ₹10 crore for manufacturing, and > ₹2 crore and <= ₹5 crore for services. The range ₹15 crore to ₹25 crore does not match these official definitions. - All bank loans extended to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) generally qualify as priority sector lending as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. This is a policy measure to ensure adequate credit flow to these sectors.
The MSMED Act, 2006 provided the legal framework for classifying and promoting MSMEs in India. The definitions were revised in 2020, introducing a composite criterion based on both investment and annual turnover, and significantly increasing the thresholds for classification. Priority Sector Lending guidelines mandate banks to lend a certain portion of their total credit to specified sectors, including MSMEs, agriculture, education, housing, etc.

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14. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: India, despite having

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most its electricity production.
Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent at of least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
Statement-I: India heavily relies on coal for its electricity generation, which accounts for over half of the total installed capacity and actual generation. While India has some uranium deposits and a growing nuclear power program, its contribution to the total electricity mix is relatively small compared to coal. Hence, India depends predominantly on coal despite having some uranium reserves. This statement is correct.
Statement-II: Commercial nuclear power reactors, such as Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs), typically use Low Enriched Uranium (LEU), which is enriched to about 3% to 5% of the fissile isotope U-235. Enrichment to the extent of at least 60% (which falls under Highly Enriched Uranium – HEU) is not required for the production of electricity in most common power reactors. HEU is usually used in research reactors or for weapons purposes. This statement is incorrect.
India’s nuclear power program aims to increase capacity using both indigenous uranium and imported fuel, but coal remains the backbone of its energy production. The level of uranium enrichment is critical for its use; lower enrichment for power, higher for specific research reactors or weapons.

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15. In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)

In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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1, 2 and 3
3 and 4 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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Statements 1 and 2 correctly describe roles of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO).
– Statement 1 is correct. The CCO is indeed the primary source of coal statistics in the Government of India, collecting and publishing data on coal production, dispatch, stocks, etc.
– Statement 2 is correct. The CCO monitors the progress of development and production from captive coal and lignite blocks allocated to various companies for their specific end-use projects.
– Statement 3 is incorrect. Objections to notifications regarding acquisition of coal-bearing areas are typically handled under relevant land acquisition laws and legal frameworks, not directly by the CCO.
– Statement 4 is incorrect. The CCO is a regulatory and data-monitoring body. Ensuring timely delivery of coal from mining companies to end users is primarily a matter of commercial agreements and logistics, not a regulatory function of the CCO. The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) deals with safety, while CCO focuses on statistics, quality, and monitoring captive blocks.

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16. Consider the following statements : 1. Coal sector was nationalized

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
  • 2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
  • 3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self sufficient in coal production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
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Statement 1 is correct, while statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
– Statement 1 is correct. Coal mining in India was nationalized in phases during the early 1970s under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi. Coking coal mines were nationalized in 1972, and non-coking coal mines in 1973. Coal India Limited (CIL) was formed in 1975 as a public sector undertaking.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. After the Supreme Court cancelled most coal block allocations in 2014 due to irregularities, the government shifted to a policy of allocating coal blocks through auctions for commercial mining and for specific end-uses (like power, steel, cement). Lottery systems were not the primary method for coal block allocation, especially for commercial mining post-2014.
– Statement 3 is incorrect. While India is the second-largest producer of coal globally, it is also a significant importer of coal, particularly coking coal and thermal coal of certain specifications, to meet its domestic demand which outstrips domestic supply capabilities in certain sectors and grades. India is not self-sufficient in coal production in terms of meeting its entire demand.
The nationalization of coal aimed to ensure planned development of the coal sector, conservation of coal resources, and improved safety and working conditions for miners. The recent policy changes involving auctions are aimed at bringing transparency and efficiency to coal block allocation and encouraging private sector participation in commercial mining.

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17. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the follow

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :

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  • India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
  • The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
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Let’s examine the two statements regarding solar power production in India.
Statement 1 is incorrect. India is not the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units. The global market for silicon wafers and solar cells is dominated by countries like China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. While India has been increasing its domestic manufacturing capacity through policies like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it heavily relies on imports for wafers and cells.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is a major implementing agency for renewable energy schemes and conducts auctions for solar power projects, resulting in tariff discovery through competitive bidding, it is not the sole authority determining all solar power tariffs in India. Tariffs for state-level projects are determined by state implementing agencies, often through bidding, and regulatory commissions also play a role in approving tariffs or methodologies. So, SECI determines tariffs for the projects it auctions, but not *the* solar power tariffs for the entire country.
India has made significant progress in solar power deployment and is among the top countries in installed solar capacity. However, the manufacturing ecosystem, especially for critical components like wafers and cells, is still developing, with a significant reliance on imports. Tariff determination is a multi-faceted process involving central and state agencies, competitive bidding, and regulatory oversight.

18. The term ‘Domestic Content Requirement’ is sometimes seen in the news

The term ‘Domestic Content Requirement’ is sometimes seen in the news with reference to

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Developing solar power production in our country
Granting licences to foreign T.V. channels in our country
Exporting our food products to other countries
Permitting foreign educational institutions to set up their campuses in our country
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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The term ‘Domestic Content Requirement’ (DCR) refers to a government policy that mandates a certain percentage of goods or services used in a project or product must be domestically produced or sourced. This is a trade-related measure often used to promote domestic industry, job creation, and technological development. In India, DCR has been notably implemented and debated, particularly in the context of developing solar power production under schemes like the National Solar Mission. The policy required solar power projects benefiting from government support to use domestically manufactured solar cells and modules for a portion of their capacity.
– Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) mandates sourcing goods or services locally.
– DCR has been a prominent policy feature in India’s solar power sector development.
DCR policies can sometimes be controversial and may face challenges under international trade agreements, such as those of the World Trade Organization (WTO), if they are deemed discriminatory against foreign producers. India’s solar DCR policy, for example, was challenged at the WTO by the United States.

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19. Recently, India’s first ‘National Investment and Manufacturing Zone’ w

Recently, India’s first ‘National Investment and Manufacturing Zone’ was proposed to be set up in

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Andhra Pradesh
Gujarat
Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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The correct option is A, as India’s first National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) was proposed to be set up in Andhra Pradesh.
– The National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) 2011 proposed the establishment of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) to promote manufacturing sector growth.
– NIMZs are envisaged as integrated industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
– The first NIMZ notified by the Government of India under the NMP 2011 was the Prakasam NIMZ in Andhra Pradesh.
Several other NIMZs are being planned or developed across India, often along proposed industrial corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), etc.

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20. In India, the steel production industry requires the import of

In India, the steel production industry requires the import of

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saltpetre
rock phosphate
coking coal
All of the above
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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The correct option is C.
Steel production primarily uses iron ore and coking coal in the blast furnace process. While India has abundant reserves of iron ore, it lacks sufficient reserves of high-quality coking coal required for metallurgical purposes. Consequently, India heavily imports coking coal to meet the demands of its steel industry. Saltpetre (potassium nitrate) is used in fertilisers and explosives, not directly in steel making. Rock phosphate is a source of phosphorus, mainly used for producing phosphate fertilisers.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of crude steel, but its dependence on imported coking coal remains a significant challenge for the domestic industry. Major sources of coking coal imports for India include Australia, the USA, Canada, and Indonesia. Efforts are being made to enhance domestic production and explore alternative technologies to reduce reliance on imported coking coal.

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