← AD (Town Planning)
Past Questions
Which of the following continents has the highest growth of population?
A)
North America
B)
South America
C)
Asia
D)
Africa
To determine which continent has the highest population growth, it is important to distinguish between 'absolute growth' (total number of people added) and 'growth rate' (percentage increase). In demographic terms, 'highest growth' typically refers to the annual growth rate.
1. **Africa**: Africa consistently records the highest population growth rate globally. This is driven by high fertility rates and a decreasing mortality rate due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation. Many sub-Saharan African countries have some of the highest total fertility rates (TFR) in the world.
2. **Asia**: While Asia has the largest absolute population and adds a significant number of people to its total, its growth rate has been slowing down significantly as many of its major nations (like China and India) undergo demographic transitions toward lower fertility rates.
3. **North America and South America**: These continents have much lower growth rates compared to Africa, as they are further along in the demographic transition model, with birth rates closer to replacement levels.
Therefore, based on global demographic data from the United Nations and World Bank, Africa is the continent with the highest population growth rate.
Which of the following is not true?
A)
Development generally improves the health system, while better health increases productivity, social cohesion, and economic welfare.
B)
Life expectancy is probably the best single indicator of national health levels.
C)
Life expectancy in Africa increased steadily from 1994 to 2003 due to better health care.
D)
There are growing inequalities in investment in health worldwide.
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. Option (a) describes the symbiotic relationship between development and health. It is a widely accepted principle in public health and economics that development provides the infrastructure for health systems, and a healthy population is more productive, which in turn fuels further development. This statement is true.
2. Option (b) refers to life expectancy. In global health metrics, life expectancy at birth is considered one of the most comprehensive single indicators of a population's overall health status, as it reflects the cumulative effect of mortality, nutrition, and healthcare quality. This statement is true.
3. Option (c) claims that life expectancy in Africa increased steadily from 1994 to 2003. This is historically incorrect. During this specific period, Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a severe decline or stagnation in life expectancy primarily due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which offset gains made in other areas of healthcare. The crisis peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s before antiretroviral therapies became widely available. Therefore, this statement is NOT true.
4. Option (d) addresses health investment. Global health reports consistently show a widening gap in health spending and resource allocation between high-income countries and low-income countries, as well as within countries (urban vs. rural). This statement is true.
Since the question asks for the statement that is NOT true, option (c) is the correct answer.
Who is the founder of Pareto Chart?
A)
Vilfredo Pareto
B)
Sabino Pareto
C)
John Pareto
D)
Mathew Pareto
The Pareto Chart is based on the 'Pareto Principle' (also known as the 80/20 rule), which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. This principle was named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist who observed in 1896 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. While Joseph Juran later applied this principle to quality management and coined the term 'Pareto Principle,' the foundational concept and the name of the chart are attributed to Vilfredo Pareto. Options b, c, and d are incorrect as they are not the names of the economist associated with this principle.
Which of the following is an important determinant of population change?
A)
Migration
B)
Human Development Report
C)
Life Expectancy
D)
Mortality Rate
Population change refers to the difference in the size of a population between two points in time. The three primary determinants of population change are: 1. Fertility (Birth Rate), 2. Mortality (Death Rate), and 3. Migration. While mortality rate (option d) is a component of population change, 'Migration' is often highlighted as a critical external determinant that can cause rapid shifts in population distribution and size independently of natural increase. However, in the context of standard demographic equations (Population Change = [Births - Deaths] + [In-migration - Out-migration]), Migration is a fundamental pillar.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Human Development Report: This is a publication by the UNDP that measures development; it is a report, not a demographic determinant.
- c. Life Expectancy: This is a statistical measure of the average time an organism is expected to live; while it relates to mortality, it is a result/indicator rather than a direct driver of population change.
- d. Mortality Rate: While mortality is a determinant, in many competitive exam contexts for Town Planning/Geography, Migration is emphasized as the key variable for spatial population change. However, strictly speaking, both a and d are determinants. In the context of this specific exam's key, Migration is the preferred answer as it represents the movement of people across boundaries, which is central to Town Planning.
The state of India which has the lowest percentage of population below poverty line:
A)
Punjab
B)
Rajasthan
C)
Tamil Nadu
D)
Uttar Pradesh
To determine the state with the lowest percentage of population below the poverty line (BPL), we look at poverty indices and reports from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
1. **Punjab**: Historically and statistically, Punjab has one of the lowest poverty rates in India due to the success of the Green Revolution, high agricultural productivity, and strong rural income levels. It consistently ranks among the states with the lowest BPL percentages.
2. **Tamil Nadu**: While Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in poverty reduction through social welfare schemes and industrialization, its poverty percentage generally remains slightly higher than that of Punjab.
3. **Rajasthan**: This state faces geographical challenges (desertification) and has historically had a higher percentage of population below the poverty line compared to Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
4. **Uttar Pradesh**: As one of the most populous states with a high dependence on subsistence agriculture and lower per capita income, Uttar Pradesh typically has one of the highest percentages of BPL population in India.
Therefore, among the given options, Punjab is the state with the lowest percentage of population below the poverty line.
The slogan of which five-year plan of India is “Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth’?
A)
12th five-year plan
B)
11th five-year plan
C)
10th five-year plan
D)
9th five-year plan
The 12th Five-Year Plan (2012–2017) was the last five-year plan implemented in India before the Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog. Its primary objective and slogan was 'Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth'.
Breakdown of the slogan:
1. Faster: Aimed at increasing the GDP growth rate to maintain economic momentum.
2. More Inclusive: Focused on reducing poverty and inequality, ensuring that the benefits of growth reached the marginalized sections of society.
3. Sustainable: Emphasized environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
Analysis of other options:
- 11th Five-Year Plan (2007–2012): Its primary focus was 'Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth'.
- 10th Five-Year Plan (2002–2007): Focused on doubling per capita income and reducing poverty.
- 9th Five-Year Plan (1997–2002): Focused on 'Growth with Social Justice and Equity'.
It is a multipurpose organ that manages a business and manages managers and manages work and the workers. this was stated by:
A)
Hellrigel
B)
Peter Drucker
C)
Harold Knootz
D)
Norman Foster
The definition provided—'a multipurpose organ that manages a business and manages managers and manages work and the workers'—is attributed to Don Hellrigel. Hellrigel's approach to management emphasizes the organizational structure as a functional 'organ' that coordinates various levels of human resources (workers and managers) and operational tasks to achieve business objectives.
Comparing the options:
- Peter Drucker (b) is known as the father of modern management and focused on 'Management by Objectives' (MBO) and the knowledge worker, but did not use this specific 'multipurpose organ' phrasing.
- Harold Koontz (c) defined management as the 'process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals, working together in groups, efficiently accomplish selected aims.'
- Norman Foster (d) is a world-renowned architect and industrial designer, not a management theorist.
If GDP for Barbados is $260 million in 2005 and its population is 260,000, GDP per capita is
A)
1000 $
B)
260$
C)
500$
D)
None of these
To calculate the GDP per capita, we use the following economic formula:
GDP per capita = Total GDP / Total Population
Given data:
1. Total GDP = $260 million = $260,000,000
2. Total Population = 260,000
Calculation:
GDP per capita = 260,000,000 / 260,000
GDP per capita = 26,000 / 26
GDP per capita = 1,000
Therefore, the GDP per capita for Barbados is $1,000.
Comparing this result to the options:
- Option (a) 1000 $ is correct.
- Option (b) 260$ is incorrect as it fails to account for the 'million' multiplier in the GDP.
- Option (c) 500$ is mathematically incorrect based on the provided figures.
What is the characteristic of CBD?
A)
High Density
B)
High Land Value
C)
Shortage of Parking Space
D)
All of these
The Central Business District (CBD) is the commercial and business center of a city. Its characteristics are driven by the principle of 'bid-rent theory,' where land use is determined by the ability to pay for accessibility.
1. High Land Value: Because the CBD is the most accessible point in the city, demand for land is extremely high, leading to the highest land values and rents in the urban area.
2. High Density: To maximize the return on expensive land, developers build vertically. This results in high-density development characterized by skyscrapers and high-rise commercial buildings.
3. Shortage of Parking Space: Due to the high density of buildings and the massive influx of commuters, workers, and shoppers, the demand for parking far exceeds the available physical space, leading to chronic parking shortages.
Since all three options (a, b, and c) are defining characteristics of a CBD, the correct answer is 'All of these'.
Which one of the following is the full form of NITIAYOG?
A)
National Institute for Transforming India
B)
National Institution for Transforming India
C)
Nation Institute of for Transmitting India
D)
None of these
NITI Aayog is the premier policy 'Think Tank' of the Government of India, which was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission. The acronym 'NITI' stands for 'National Institution for Transforming India'.
Analyzing the options:
- Option (a) 'National Institute for Transforming India' is incorrect because the official term used is 'Institution', not 'Institute'.
- Option (b) 'National Institution for Transforming India' is the correct official full form.
- Option (c) 'Nation Institute of for Transmitting India' is grammatically incorrect and factually wrong.
- Option (d) is incorrect as option (b) is the correct answer.
Which ministry is responsible for administering the RFCTLARR, 2013?
A)
Ministry of Home Affairs
B)
Ministry of Law and Justice
C)
Ministry of Rural Development
D)
Ministry of Finance
The RFCTLARR, 2013 stands for the 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013'. This Act was enacted to ensure a humane, participatory, transparent and fair process for land acquisition. The administrative responsibility for this Act lies with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ministry of Home Affairs: Primarily deals with internal security and center-state relations, not land acquisition laws.
- Ministry of Law and Justice: While they may assist in the drafting and legal interpretation of the Act, they do not administer the implementation of land acquisition and resettlement policies.
- Ministry of Finance: While they manage the budgetary allocations for compensation, the policy administration and oversight of the Act are handled by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Which constitutional amendments gives recognition and protection to local government?
A)
64th and 65th
B)
69th and 70th
C)
73rd and 74th
D)
None of these
The recognition and protection of local government in India were institutionalized through two landmark constitutional amendments passed in 1992:
1. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992): This amendment gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), which are the local governments for rural areas. It added Part IX to the Constitution and introduced the 11th Schedule.
2. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992): This amendment gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), such as Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils. It added Part IX-A to the Constitution and introduced the 12th Schedule.
Together, these amendments ensured the regular conduct of elections, the reservation of seats for SCs, STs, and women, and the creation of State Finance Commissions to ensure the financial viability of local bodies.
Options (a) and (b) are incorrect as those specific amendment numbers do not pertain to the establishment of the local government system.
According to the supply side of the vicious circle theory of development, a country is poor because
A)
technology levels do not allow for self-sufficiency.
B)
it was previously too poor to save and invest.
C)
Underemployment is too widespread.
D)
resource allocation is poor.
The 'Vicious Circle of Poverty' is a concept popularized by Ragnar Nurkse. It suggests that poverty is a self-perpetuating cycle. The theory is divided into two sides: the Demand Side and the Supply Side.
1. **The Supply Side:** This side focuses on the lack of capital. The logic is: Low Income $\rightarrow$ Low Savings $\rightarrow$ Low Investment $\rightarrow$ Low Productivity $\rightarrow$ Low Income. Therefore, a country remains poor because its low level of income prevents it from saving and investing in the capital goods necessary to increase productivity.
2. **The Demand Side:** This side focuses on the lack of market incentive. The logic is: Low Income $\rightarrow$ Low Demand (Small Market) $\rightarrow$ Low Incentive for Investment $\rightarrow$ Low Productivity $\rightarrow$ Low Income.
Evaluating the options:
- Option (a) refers to technological constraints, which is a factor in development but not the core of the Vicious Circle theory's supply side.
- Option (b) directly describes the supply-side mechanism: poverty leads to an inability to save and invest.
- Option (c) refers to structural unemployment, which is a symptom or a separate economic issue.
- Option (d) refers to inefficiency, which is a management or policy issue rather than the systemic cycle of poverty described by Nurkse.
Which of the following best describes social planning?
A)
A process that aims to address social issues and improve the well-being of communities.
B)
The implementation of policies focused solely on economic development.
C)
A strategy to promote individualism and reduce collective responsibility.
D)
The exclusion of marginalized groups from decision-making processes.
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Definition of Social Planning: Social planning is a deliberate process used by governments and community organizations to guide the development of social services and infrastructure to meet the needs of a population. Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life, ensure social equity, and resolve systemic social problems (such as poverty, housing instability, or lack of healthcare).
2. Evaluating Option (a): This option aligns perfectly with the definition, as it focuses on addressing social issues and improving community well-being.
3. Evaluating Option (b): Economic development is a component of overall planning, but social planning specifically focuses on the 'social' dimension (people and services) rather than 'solely' on economic growth.
4. Evaluating Option (c): Social planning is inherently collective and community-oriented; promoting individualism and reducing collective responsibility is the opposite of its objective.
5. Evaluating Option (d): A core tenet of modern social planning is inclusivity and social justice; excluding marginalized groups would be a failure of social planning, not a description of it.
For a project activity, the optimistic, the pessimistic and the most likely times are 4, 14, and 6 days respectively. Its average time is
A)
9 days
B)
7 days
C)
5 days
D)
11 days
In PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), the average time (also known as the Expected Time, $t_e$) for a project activity is calculated using the Beta distribution formula:
$t_e = \frac{t_o + 4t_m + t_p}{6}$
Where:
- $t_o$ = Optimistic time = 4 days
- $t_m$ = Most likely time = 6 days
- $t_p$ = Pessimistic time = 14 days
Substituting the given values into the formula:
$t_e = \frac{4 + 4(6) + 14}{6}$
$t_e = \frac{4 + 24 + 14}{6}$
$t_e = \frac{42}{6}$
$t_e = 7$ days
Therefore, the average time for the activity is 7 days. Option (b) is correct, while options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they do not match the result of the standard PERT calculation.
How much percentage of the world population lives in developing countries?
A)
Approximately 80 percent
B)
Approximately 50 percent
C)
Approximately 30 percent
D)
Approximately 10 percent
In economic and demographic terms, the world is broadly divided into developed (industrialized) and developing (industrializing or least developed) nations. Developed countries (such as the US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, and Australia) represent a small fraction of the global population. The vast majority of the human population resides in developing regions, including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. According to data from the World Bank and the United Nations, approximately 80% to 85% of the global population lives in countries classified as developing or emerging economies. Therefore, option (a) is the most accurate approximation. Options (b), (c), and (d) significantly underestimate the population distribution of the Global South.
Waste removal system was established in which of the following cities for the first time?
A)
Athens
B)
Paris
C)
London
D)
New Delhi
Historically, Athens is credited with establishing the first organized municipal waste removal system. Around 500 BCE, the Athenians implemented a law requiring that all waste be deposited at least 1.5 kilometers (about one mile) outside the city walls to maintain public hygiene and prevent the spread of disease. This represents one of the earliest recorded instances of a state-mandated waste management system in urban history. While cities like London and Paris developed sophisticated sewage and waste systems much later (particularly during the Industrial Revolution and the mid-19th century), and New Delhi is a modern planned city, the foundational concept of a municipal waste removal system originated in ancient Athens.
A design of toilet in which human s excreta is treated by earthworm is called
A)
Composting Toilet
B)
Vermi-processing Toilet
C)
Eco-san Toilet
D)
None of these
The question asks for a toilet design where human excreta is treated specifically by earthworms.
1. **Vermi-processing Toilet (Vermi-toilet):** This is a specialized sanitation system that uses earthworms (typically species like Eisenia fetida) to decompose human excreta. The worms break down the organic matter into nutrient-rich vermicompost, significantly reducing the volume of waste and eliminating the need for frequent desludging. This is the correct answer.
2. **Composting Toilet:** While this also treats waste to create compost, it primarily relies on aerobic decomposition by bacteria and fungi. While worms may naturally occur in some composting systems, a 'composting toilet' as a general category does not specifically define the use of earthworms as the primary treatment mechanism.
3. **Eco-san Toilet (Ecological Sanitation):** This is a broad umbrella term for sanitation systems that recover nutrients (like urine-diverting dry toilets). While vermi-processing is a type of ecological sanitation, 'Eco-san' is too general a term to be the specific answer when 'Vermi-processing' is provided as an option.
Sufficiency of which type of resources can help to create adequate social infrastructure catering to the needs of the large population in the developing countries?
A)
Financial
B)
Human
C)
Natural
D)
Social
Social infrastructure refers to the facilities and services that support the quality of life and social development of a population, such as schools, hospitals, community centers, and sanitation systems. In developing countries, the primary bottleneck in creating and maintaining these facilities for a large population is the lack of capital investment.
1. Financial Resources (Correct): The construction of physical structures (schools, clinics) and the operational funding required to run them (salaries, equipment) require significant financial capital. Without sufficient funding, planning cannot be translated into physical infrastructure.
2. Human Resources: While skilled labor is needed to manage infrastructure, the 'creation' of the infrastructure itself is predicated on the ability to fund the projects first.
3. Natural Resources: Land is a natural resource, but in the context of urban and town planning for large populations, the limiting factor is usually the budget for development rather than the availability of raw materials.
4. Social Resources: Social capital (trust, networks) helps in the governance and utilization of infrastructure, but it cannot physically build a hospital or a school.
Therefore, financial sufficiency is the fundamental prerequisite for the large-scale creation of social infrastructure in developing economies.
As per world Bank Report, how much percent is the urban population in the world?
A)
25%
B)
35%
C)
40%
D)
56%
According to World Bank data and global urbanization trends reported in recent years, the global urban population has surpassed the 50% mark. Specifically, World Bank indicators show that approximately 56% of the world's population lives in urban areas.
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of Options: Options (a) 25%, (b) 35%, and (c) 40% are significantly lower than the actual global urbanization rate, which has been above 50% since approximately 2007-2008.
2. Data Verification: The World Bank's 'Urban Population (% of total population)' indicator consistently places the global average in the mid-50s (roughly 55-57% depending on the specific year of the report cited in the exam).
3. Conclusion: Option (d) 56% is the only value that aligns with the official demographic data provided by the World Bank for the current era of global urbanization.
The Essay on ‘Principle of Population’ was written by
A)
The World Bank
B)
Thomas Robert Malthus
C)
Julian Simon
D)
Abraham Lincoln
The 'An Essay on the Principle of Population' was first published in 1798 by Thomas Robert Malthus, an English economist and demographer. In this seminal work, Malthus proposed the theory that population grows geometrically (1, 2, 4, 8...), while food production grows only arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4...), leading to a inevitable 'Malthusian catastrophe' unless population growth is checked by 'preventive checks' (moral restraint) or 'positive checks' (famine, disease, war).
Analysis of other options:
- a. The World Bank: An international financial institution that provides data and loans, not the author of this 18th-century essay.
- c. Julian Simon: A 20th-century economist known for his 'Cornucopian' view, which argued that human ingenuity would solve resource scarcity, effectively opposing Malthusian theory.
- d. Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President of the United States, who had no involvement in writing demographic theories.
What is the World s Largest potential source of biomass energy?
A)
Animal Waste
B)
Industrial Waste
C)
Fibrous Waste of the paper industry.
D)
Fibrous Waste of the sugar industry.
Biomass energy is derived from organic materials. When comparing the options provided:
1. **Animal Waste (Option a):** On a global scale, livestock and animal waste represent one of the largest and most consistent sources of biomass energy, primarily through the production of biogas (methane) via anaerobic digestion. Given the massive scale of global livestock farming, the potential for energy recovery from manure is immense.
2. **Industrial Waste (Option b):** While significant, industrial waste is a broad category and often contains non-organic materials that cannot be used for biomass energy.
3. **Fibrous Waste of the paper industry (Option c):** This is a specific niche source of biomass. While useful for heat and power in specific plants, its total global volume is far lower than animal waste.
4. **Fibrous Waste of the sugar industry (Option d):** This refers primarily to bagasse. While bagasse is a major energy source in tropical regions (like Brazil and India), its global distribution is limited to sugar-producing zones, making its total global potential smaller than the ubiquitous presence of animal waste.
Therefore, among the given choices, animal waste represents the largest potential source of biomass energy globally.
Non continuous repayment of loans of the property in a continuous manner is termed as:
A)
Home Construction Loans
B)
Home Improvement Loans
C)
Non-performing Assets
D)
Under Utilised Assets
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The question describes a scenario where loans (specifically those tied to property) are not being repaid in a continuous or regular manner. 2. In banking and finance, when a borrower stops making scheduled payments of interest or principal for a specific period (typically 90 days), the loan is no longer generating income for the bank. 3. Such loans are classified as 'Non-performing Assets' (NPAs). 4. Analyzing other options: (a) Home Construction Loans and (b) Home Improvement Loans are types of loan products, not a status of repayment. (d) Under Utilised Assets refers to assets that are not being used to their full potential, which is a different economic concept from loan default. Therefore, option (c) is the correct technical term for loans with non-continuous repayment.
Which of the following is not the strategy for low-cost Housing?
A)
Using Locally available material
B)
Using Filler Slab for Ceiling
C)
Using Recycled Composite Blocks
D)
Using Mechanical Ventilation in the building
Low-cost housing strategies focus on reducing the initial capital cost of construction and the long-term operational costs for the inhabitant.
1. **Using locally available material (Option a):** This is a core strategy for low-cost housing as it reduces transportation costs and supports local economies.
2. **Using Filler Slab for Ceiling (Option b):** A filler slab replaces a portion of the concrete in a slab with lightweight, low-cost materials (like clay pots or tiles) that do not carry structural loads. This reduces the amount of expensive cement and steel required, making it a cost-effective strategy.
3. **Using Recycled Composite Blocks (Option c):** Utilizing recycled materials (like fly ash or construction waste) reduces the cost of raw materials and provides an environmentally sustainable, low-cost alternative to traditional bricks.
4. **Using Mechanical Ventilation (Option d):** Mechanical ventilation (such as HVAC systems or electric fans/exhausts) increases both the initial installation cost and the recurring monthly electricity bills. In low-cost and sustainable housing, 'Passive Ventilation' (using wind direction, window placement, and courtyard design) is the preferred strategy to ensure airflow without incurring costs.
What is the main criteria for identification of scheduled V and VI of the constitution?
A)
Tribal Population
B)
Geographical Area
C)
Natural Resources
D)
None of the above
The Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Indian Constitution are specifically designed to provide for the administration and control of areas where there is a significant concentration of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
1. **Fifth Schedule**: Applies to 'Scheduled Areas' in any state other than the four states mentioned in the Sixth Schedule. The criteria for designating an area as a 'Scheduled Area' under the Fifth Schedule is primarily based on the predominance of the tribal population, their customs, and their social/economic backwardness.
2. **Sixth Schedule**: Provides for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. These areas are managed through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) to protect the indigenous tribal culture and land rights.
Therefore, the primary identifying criterion for both schedules is the presence and concentration of the Tribal Population.
- **Option b (Geographical Area)** is a result of the identification, not the primary criteria.
- **Option c (Natural Resources)** may be a factor in the administration of these areas, but it is not the legal criteria for their identification under the Constitution.