11. Which of the following statements about the detailed corporate governa

Which of the following statements about the detailed corporate governance norms for listed companies issued in April 2014 by SEBI is/are correct ?

  • 1. It provides for stricter disclosures and protection of investor rights, including equitable treatment for minority and foreign shareholders.
  • 2. Under the new norms listed companies are required to provide the facility of e-voting to shareholders on all resolutions to be passed at general meetings.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.
SEBI indeed introduced detailed corporate governance norms in April 2014.
Statement 1: These norms significantly strengthened corporate governance requirements for listed companies, focusing on stricter disclosures, board composition (increasing independent directors), and protecting the rights of all shareholders, including minority and foreign shareholders, ensuring their equitable treatment. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: The SEBI circular CIR/CFD/POLICY CELL/2/2014 dated April 17, 2014, mandated all listed entities to provide their shareholders with the facility of e-voting to enable them to cast their votes electronically on all resolutions proposed at general meetings. While initially mandatory for larger companies for certain resolutions via postal ballot/e-voting, the circular mandated the *facility* for *all* listed entities for *all* resolutions at general meetings. This statement is also correct in reflecting the key change introduced.
These reforms were based on recommendations and aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and shareholder participation in corporate decision-making, aligning Indian regulations closer to international best practices.

12. Which of the following service sectors in India had the highest percen

Which of the following service sectors in India had the highest percentage share to India’s GDP in the year 2010-2011?

Trade, hotels and restaurants
Construction
Transport, storage and communication
Community, social and personal services
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
Based on economic data for India in the year 2010-2011, the sector ‘Trade, Hotels and Restaurants’ (often grouped with repairs) typically contributed the highest percentage share to India’s GDP among the options listed. While Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate is often the single largest service sector sub-category, it is not listed as an option. Comparing the given options, Trade, Hotels and Restaurants held the largest share.
Recall or refer to data regarding the contribution of different service sector sub-categories to India’s GDP around 2010-2011.
Typical large service sectors include Trade, Transport, Finance/Real Estate, and Community/Social services.
According to CSO data for 2010-11 (at constant prices), Trade, Hotels & Restaurants contributed approximately 16.3% to GDP, Transport, Storage & Communication contributed around 7.5%, Community, Social & Personal Services contributed around 14.0%, and Construction contributed around 8.0% (Note: Construction is typically classified under Industry/Secondary sector, but listed as an option). Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services contributed around 16.5%. Among the provided options, ‘Trade, hotels and restaurants’ had the highest share.

13. Which one of the following is correct with respect to Pawan Hans?

Which one of the following is correct with respect to Pawan Hans?

It is a fighter aircraft operational with the Indian Air Force.
It is India’s one of the leading helicopter service providers.
It is a wind energy plant located in Himachal Pradesh.
It is a mountain peak situated at the Kargil region.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
Pawan Hans Limited is India’s national helicopter service provider.
– Pawan Hans operates helicopter services for various purposes including offshore exploration, connecting remote areas, pilgrimage tourism, and charter services.
– It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the ownership of the Government of India.
– It was incorporated in 1985 as Helicopter Corporation of India Ltd. and was later renamed Pawan Hans Limited.
– It is one of the largest helicopter operators in Asia.

14. Consider the following statements: 1. India has secured 10th rank i

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. India has secured 10th rank in International Shipment category in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index Report-2023
  • 2. Global Maritime India Summit-2023 was held in Vishakhapatnam
  • 3. ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ was launched during Global Maritime India Summit-2023

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

None
1
2
3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
Statement 1 is correct. According to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index Report-2023, India achieved the 10th rank in the ‘International Shipments’ category. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Global Maritime India Summit-2023 was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra, not Vishakhapatnam. Statement 3 is correct. The ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, a comprehensive plan for the future of India’s maritime sector, was indeed launched during the Global Maritime India Summit-2023 in Mumbai. Therefore, two out of the three statements are correct.
– India significantly improved its overall LPI ranking in 2023, reaching 38th globally.
– India performed particularly well in the ‘International Shipments’ component of the LPI.
– The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 was a major event held in Mumbai.
– ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ outlines India’s goals for the maritime sector over the next 25 years.
The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance. The 2023 report highlighted India’s progress in logistics efficiency due to policy interventions and investments.

15. The activities or services focussed on creation, rearrangement and int

The activities or services focussed on creation, rearrangement and interpretation of new and existing ideas are referred to as

quaternary activities
quinary activities
tertiary activities
secondary activities
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2022
The correct option is A, quaternary activities.
Economic activities are commonly classified into sectors:
– **Primary:** Extraction of natural resources (agriculture, mining, fishing, forestry).
– **Secondary:** Processing of raw materials and manufacturing (industry, construction).
– **Tertiary:** Services that support the primary and secondary sectors and provide services to consumers (trade, transport, communication, banking, healthcare, education).
– **Quaternary:** Knowledge-based activities involving the collection, processing, and dissemination of information; research and development; specialized knowledge and technical skills. This sector is focused on the creation, rearrangement, and interpretation of new and existing ideas.
– **Quinary:** The highest level of decision-making in an economy, often considered a subset of quaternary activities. These are ‘gold collar’ professions involving top executives, government officials, scientists, and policy makers who create new knowledge and make significant decisions.
The description “creation, rearrangement and interpretation of new and existing ideas” directly corresponds to the definition of quaternary activities.
The growth of the quaternary sector is characteristic of post-industrial societies, where information and knowledge become increasingly important drivers of economic growth. Activities like IT services, consulting, research, education, and financial planning fall under this category.

16. According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) 2017

According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) 2017 released by the World Economic Forum, among the 136 economies across the world, India ranked

50<sup>th</sup>
40<sup>th</sup>
30<sup>th</sup>
20<sup>th</sup>
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
The correct answer is B.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) 2017, India was ranked 40th among 136 economies.
The TTCI is a biennial report that assesses the factors enabling sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector. India’s ranking improved significantly in the 2017 report compared to previous years, highlighting its growing importance as a global tourism destination.

17. The Indian Railways have gone in for qualitative improvements since in

The Indian Railways have gone in for qualitative improvements since independence. Which of the following have taken place in recent years ?

  • 1. Gauge conversion
  • 2. Track electrification
  • 3. Automatic signals

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
All three statements – gauge conversion, track electrification, and automatic signals – represent significant qualitative improvements that have been undertaken by the Indian Railways, particularly in recent decades.
Indian Railways is continuously upgrading its infrastructure to improve efficiency, speed, safety, and capacity. These initiatives are part of modernization efforts.
– Gauge conversion involves converting metre gauge and narrow gauge lines to broad gauge, allowing for seamless movement of trains across the network.
– Track electrification reduces dependence on fossil fuels, increases speed, and reduces operational costs. Significant progress has been made in electrifying railway lines across India.
– Automatic signalling systems enhance safety and allow for higher traffic density on routes. Implementation is ongoing on major and high-density lines.

18. Which of the following scheme(s) is/are included under Bharatmala Pari

Which of the following scheme(s) is/are included under Bharatmala Pariyojana ?

  • 1. Develop the road connectivity to border areas
  • 2. Development of coastal roads
  • 3. Improvement in the efficiency of National Corridors

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Bharatmala Pariyojana is an ambitious umbrella program of the Government of India for highways development, focusing on optimising the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps. It encompasses various components aimed at improving the overall road network.
The stated objectives/components of Bharatmala Pariyojana include:
1. Development of Economic Corridors (around 9,000 km).
2. Development of Inter Corridors and Feeder Routes (around 6,000 km).
3. National Corridor Efficiency Improvement (around 5,000 km, decongestion of existing corridors).
4. Border Road Development and International Connectivity Roads (around 3,400 km).
5. Coastal Road Development and Port Connectivity Roads (around 2,000 km).
6. Development of Greenfield Expressways (around 800 km).
All three points mentioned in the question (1. Develop the road connectivity to border areas, 2. Development of coastal roads, 3. Improvement in the efficiency of National Corridors) are explicit components or objectives of the Bharatmala Pariyojana as outlined by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

19. Bharatmala Pariyojana is related to

Bharatmala Pariyojana is related to

interlinking of Northern and Southern Indian rivers in a garland shape.
networks of National Highways in India.
interlinking of all cities of India through Railways.
interlinking of all industrial regions of India through pipelines.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Bharatmala Pariyojana is a large-scale infrastructure project launched by the Government of India. Its primary objective is to develop and improve the national highway network across the country, including the development of economic corridors, inter-corridor and feeder routes, national corridors efficiency improvement, border and international connectivity roads, coastal and port connectivity roads, and expressways.
The project aims to reduce congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and connect remote areas by constructing new highways and upgrading existing ones.
Bharatmala Pariyojana is one of the flagship infrastructure programs of the Indian government, focusing exclusively on strengthening the road network. Other major infrastructure initiatives focus on different sectors like railways (e.g., Dedicated Freight Corridors), waterways, and airports. Interlinking of rivers is a separate concept/proposal.

20. National Water Academy, a centre of excellence in training and capacit

National Water Academy, a centre of excellence in training and capacity building in water resource, is located at

New Delhi
Kolkata
Pune
Chennai
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
The National Water Academy is located at Pune.
The National Water Academy (NWA) is a premier institution for training and capacity building in the field of water resources development and management in India. It is under the Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. The academy is situated in Pune, Maharashtra.
The NWA organises training programs, workshops, and seminars for engineers and professionals involved in water resources development and management from Central and State government departments, Public Sector Undertakings, and other organisations. It aims to impart knowledge and skills in various aspects of water resources engineering, planning, and management.