Indian Panorama (UPSC) Part-I

Total Questions: 50

41. The Kelkar proposals which were in the news recently were the: [2003]

Correct Answer: (b) recommendations for tax reforms
Solution:

The Vijay Kelkar Committee on Direct Taxes first submitted its report in year 2003.
Key recommendations were as follows:
• The taxpayer services should be extended both in quality and quantity and taxpayers should get easy access through internet and email.
• PAN (Permanent Account Number) should be expanded and it should cover all citizens.
• Block assessment of search and seizure cases should be abolished.
• To clear the backlog, the department should outsource the data entry work.
• All returns and issue of refunds should be completed in a four month period. Dispatch of refunds should be outsourced.
• Government should establish a Tax Information Network to modernize, simplify and rationalize tax collection, particular TDS and TCS.
• Abolish the requirement of Tax Clearance Certificate on leaving the country.
• Empower CBDT with appropriate administrative and financial powers.

42. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? [2005]

EnterpriseIndustrial Group
1. VSNL1. Tata Group
2. Mundra SEZ2. Adani Group
3. CMC Ltd3. Bharati Group
4. IPCL4. Reliance Group

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 2, 3 & 4
Solution:VSNL - Tata communications limited
Tata Group is an Indian conglomerate of 30 companies across a wide range of industries, including automobiles, chemicals, consumer products, energy, engineering, financial services, information systems, materials, and telecommunications. Operating in more than 100 countries across six continents, Tata has maintained a leadership position in Indian industry since the early 20th century. The group initially gained wealth in the late 19th century through trade in raw materials before transitioning into textile manufacturing, iron and steel, and hydroelectric power. Later, it would expand into chemicals, aviation, automobiles, and eventually information technology. The history of Tata Group and its ventures in trade, manufacturing, and services mirrors the evolution of both the global economy and Indian capitalism from the 19th to the 20th centuries. The group is headquartered in Mumbai.

43. Match items in the List-I (Businesswoman) with those in the List-II (company) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2005]

List-I (Businesswoman)List-II (Company)
A. Zia Mody1. Venkateshwara Hatcheries
B. Anuradha J. Desai2. AZB and Partners
C. Villoo Morawala3. Quantum Market Patel Research
D. Meena Kaushik4. Avestha Gangaine Technologies
5. Biacon India
OptionABCD
(a)4153
(b)2341
(c)4351
(d)2143
Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:Zia Mody - founder partner of AZB & Partners; Anuradha J. Desai - Chairperson of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited; Villoo Morawala Patel - Chairperson of Avesthagen; Meena Kaushik - Chairman of Quantum mechanic research; Kiran Mazumdar Shaw - Chairman of Biocon India

44. The world's highest ground based telescopic observatory is located in: [2002]

Correct Answer: (b) India
Solution:The world's highest ground based telescopic observatory is located at Leh in India.
• The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) or Hanle Observatory is a high-altitude astronomical observatory located in Hanle valley, UT Ladakh, India.
• It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
• Located atop Mt. Saraswati in the Nilamkhul Plain, at an altitude of 4500 metres, it is one of the highest and best sites in the world for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.
• The observatory holds the title of India’s first dark-sky reserve, due to the minimal light pollution, reduced atmospheric interference, low atmospheric water vapour and exceptionally clear (cloudless) skies in the region. This makes it a prime location for astronomers to study the universe (galaxies, nebulae, stars gazing etc.)

45. Chapchar Kut is a festival celebrated in the state of: [2002]

Correct Answer: (c) Mizoram
Solution:The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.

46. Consider the following statements: [2002]

1. NTPC is the largest power utility in India

2. ONGC accounts for half of the LPG production of India

3. Indian Oil Corporation operates all the refineries in India

4. The Indian Ordinance Factory is the largest departmentally run industrial undertakings in the country

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1 & 4
Solution:NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) is indeed the largest power utility in India. It contributes to around 25% of total power generation in India.
ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) is one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas in India, but it doesn't account for half of the LPG production in the country. Hence, this statement is incorrect.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is a major oil company in India, but it doesn't operate all the oil refineries in the country. There are other players such as Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, etc. So, this statement is also incorrect.
The Indian Ordinance Factory is the largest departmentally run industrial undertaking in the country. It operates under the defense ministry and manufactures a range of products for the Indian Armed Forces. So, this statement is correct.
Therefore, statements 1 and 4 are correct. Hence, option 4 is the right answer.

47. Who was the first Indian lady actress to receive the Padma Shri Award? [2002]

Correct Answer: (b) Nargis Dutt
Solution:The first Indian lady actress to receive the Padma Shri Award was Nargis Dutt. She was awarded in 1958.

  • The award is given in three categories, namely,

  1. Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service;
  2. Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order; and
  3. Padma Shri for distinguished service.

Eligibility

  • All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
  • Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
  • The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
  • A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
  • The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

48. Consider the following statements: [2002]

The objectives of the National Renewal Fund set up in February 1992 were:

1. to give training and counselling for workers affected by retrenchment or VRS

2. redeployment of workers

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) Both 1 and 2
Solution:The Concept of the National renewal Fund was announced by the Government as a part of the New Industrial Policy, 1991. The Government formally established the National Renewal Fund (NRF) by a Government of India resolution on 3rd February, 1992. During the period 1992-93 to 1998-99, assistance from the NRF has been provided for implementation of voluntary retirement scheme in Central Public Sector Undertakings and counselling/redeployment scheme for workers rationalised from the organised sector.

49. Match List-I (Book) with List-II (Author) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List-I (Book)List-II (Author)
A. Autobiography of an Unknown Indian1. Mulk Raj Anand
B. India: A Wounded Civilization2. Nirad C. Chaudhari
C. Confessions of a Lover3. R. K. Narayan
D. The English Teacher4. V. S. Naipaul
OptionABCD
(a)1324
(b)2413
(c)1423
(d)2314
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:"Autobiography of an Unknown Indian" is written by Nirad C. Chaudhuri, "India: A Wounded Civilization is written by V.S. Naipal, "Confessions of a Lover" is written by Mulk Raj Anand and "The English Teacher" is written by R.K. Narayan.

50. Match List-I (Artist) with List-II (Art) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List-I (Artist)List-II (Art)
A. Hira Battacharya1. Bharatanatyam dance
B. Malini Rajurkar2. Hindustani vocal music
C. Pratiba Prahlad3. Kuchipudi dance
D. Vempati Chinna4. Puppetry Satyam
OptionABCD
(a)4213
(b)3124
(c)4123
(d)3214
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:Hira Bhatacharya is associated with Puppetry. Malini Rajurkar is associated with Hindustani vocal, Pratiba Prahlad is associated with Bharatnatyam and Vampati Chinna Satyam is associated with Kuchipudi dance.