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Past Questions
EIA is report.
A)
Applicant
B)
Logical
C)
Legal
D)
None of these
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process used to evaluate the environmental consequences of a proposed project or development. In the context of governance and town planning, an EIA is not merely a technical or logical exercise; it is a 'Legal report' because it is mandated by law (such as the Environment Protection Act in India or similar legislation globally). The submission of an EIA report is a statutory requirement for obtaining 'Environmental Clearance' from the government. Without this legal document, a project cannot legally proceed.
- Option (a) 'Applicant' is a person or entity, not a type of report.
- Option (b) 'Logical' describes a quality of reasoning, but does not define the status of the report in a regulatory framework.
- Option (c) 'Legal' correctly identifies that the EIA is a mandatory legal instrument required for regulatory compliance.
EIA is supporting the goals of environmental protection and
A)
sustainable development
B)
economic growth
C)
involvement of public
D)
proposed activities
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development. The primary objective of EIA is to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into the decision-making process. By balancing the need for development with the necessity of protecting the environment, EIA directly supports the goal of 'Sustainable Development'—which is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Economic growth: While EIA may allow for economic growth, its primary goal is to regulate and mitigate the negative impacts of that growth, not to promote growth itself.
- c. Involvement of public: Public participation is a *tool* or a *component* of the EIA process, not the overarching goal that EIA supports alongside environmental protection.
- d. Proposed activities: Proposed activities are the *subject* of the EIA, not the goal it supports.
Which of the following techniques is used for reducing the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water?
A)
Osmosis
B)
Ion exchange
C)
Distillation
D)
Both (b) & (c)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refer to the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances dissolved in water (such as salts, minerals, and metals). To reduce TDS, processes that can separate dissolved ions or molecules from the solvent are required.
1. **Ion Exchange (Option b):** This process uses resins to swap undesirable dissolved ions (like Ca2+ or Mg2+) with other ions (like H+ or OH-), effectively removing dissolved salts from the water. It is a primary method for water softening and demineralization.
2. **Distillation (Option c):** This is a phase-change process where water is boiled into vapor and then condensed back into liquid. Since dissolved solids have much higher boiling points than water, they remain in the boiling vessel, resulting in distilled water with near-zero TDS.
3. **Osmosis (Option a):** Natural osmosis is the movement of solvent from a low-solute concentration to a high-solute concentration; it does not 'reduce' TDS in a treatment sense. However, **Reverse Osmosis (RO)** does reduce TDS. Since the option specifies 'Osmosis' and not 'Reverse Osmosis', it is technically incorrect in the context of a treatment technique.
Since both Ion Exchange and Distillation are established techniques for reducing TDS, option (d) is the correct choice.
In acid rain PH of the water is
A)
Less than 5.6
B)
More than 7
C)
inbetween 7 to 13
D)
None of these
1. Understanding Normal Rain: Pure water has a pH of 7.0. However, normal rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater to form weak carbonic acid (H2CO3). This typically results in a natural pH of approximately 5.6.
2. Defining Acid Rain: Rain is classified as 'acid rain' when its pH drops significantly below the natural level of 5.6. This occurs due to the presence of stronger acids, primarily sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3), which are formed when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are emitted into the atmosphere (mostly from industrial processes and vehicle exhausts).
3. Evaluating Options:
- Option (a) 'Less than 5.6' is correct as it defines the threshold for acid rain.
- Option (b) 'More than 7' describes alkaline/basic water.
- Option (c) 'inbetween 7 to 13' describes a range of basic/alkaline solutions.
- Option (d) is incorrect because option (a) is the scientifically accepted definition.
The Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act was enacted in and amended in
A)
1986 & 1991
B)
1976 & 1988
C)
1981 & 1987
D)
1972 & 1991
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1981 to prevent, control, and abate air pollution. The Act was subsequently amended in 1987 to include 'noise pollution' under the definition of air pollutants and to strengthen the powers of the State Pollution Control Boards.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a): 1986 refers to the Environment (Protection) Act, not the Air Act.
- Option (b): 1976 is not the enactment year of the Air Act.
- Option (d): 1972 refers to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
Which of the following is a rabi crop?
A)
Rice
B)
Millets
C)
Gram
D)
Cotton
In India, crops are primarily categorized into Kharif and Rabi based on the sowing and harvesting seasons.
1. **Rabi Crops**: These are winter crops. They are typically sown in October-November (winter season) and harvested in March-April (spring). They require a cool climate during growth and a warm climate during germination and harvesting. Examples include Wheat, Barley, Peas, and Gram (Chickpea).
2. **Kharif Crops**: These are monsoon crops. They are sown at the beginning of the rainy season (June-July) and harvested in September-October. They require high temperature and high humidity. Examples include Rice, Maize, Millets, and Cotton.
Analyzing the options:
- **Rice (a)**: A Kharif crop requiring heavy rainfall.
- **Millets (b)**: Generally Kharif crops (though some varieties vary, they are primarily monsoon crops).
- **Gram (c)**: A pulse crop sown in winter, making it a classic Rabi crop.
- **Cotton (d)**: A Kharif crop requiring high temperatures and specific moisture levels during the monsoon.
ASEAN refers to the
A)
Association of Sea Nation
B)
Association of South East African Nation
C)
Association of South East Asia Nation
D)
None of these
ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 'Association of Sea Nation' is incorrect as it misrepresents the geographical and political nature of the organization.
- Option (b) 'Association of South East African Nation' is incorrect because ASEAN is located in Asia, not Africa.
- Option (c) 'Association of South East Asia Nation' is the correct expansion (though the formal name is 'Nations' plural, this is the intended correct option among the choices provided).
- Option (d) is incorrect as option (c) provides the correct identification.
Crime Prevention in housing design achieved with
A)
Surveillance
B)
Access control
C)
Territoriality
D)
Above all
The question refers to the principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal conduct by influencing offender decisions through the strategic design of the built environment. The three primary pillars of CPTED are: 1. Natural Surveillance: Designing the layout so that people can easily see what is happening around them (e.g., windows facing the street, adequate lighting), which increases the risk of an offender being caught. 2. Natural Access Control: Using physical and psychological barriers (e.g., fences, gates, strategic landscaping) to guide people into specific entrances and discourage access to private areas. 3. Territoriality: Creating a clear distinction between public and private spaces (e.g., through changes in paving, signage, or hedges) to encourage residents to take ownership of their space and challenge intruders. Since all three options (a, b, and c) are fundamental components of crime prevention in housing design, the correct answer is 'Above all' (meaning all of the above).
HFI stand for
A)
Housing Factor Index
B)
Housing Finance Institute
C)
Housing Finance International
D)
None of these
In the context of housing finance and urban planning, HFI stands for Housing Finance Institute. These are specialized financial institutions established to provide long-term loans and financial assistance to individuals and developers for the construction, purchase, or renovation of residential properties.
- Option (a) 'Housing Factor Index' is not a standard term used in housing finance.
- Option (c) 'Housing Finance International' is not a recognized general acronym for a type of financial institution in this context.
- Option (b) correctly identifies the institutional nature of HFI, which aligns with the subject matter of Housing Finance for Town Planning examinations.
Which of the following countries are not newly industrialized countries (NICs)?
A)
Taiwan
B)
North Korea
C)
Singapore
D)
Hong-Kong
Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) are nations that have transitioned from an agrarian or underdeveloped economy to a modernized industrial economy with a high growth rate, typically characterized by export-oriented industrialization.
1. Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong (along with South Korea) are famously known as the 'Four Asian Tigers'. They are the quintessential examples of NICs because they experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth between the 1960s and 1990s, moving from low-tech manufacturing to high-tech industries and global financial hubs.
2. North Korea, by contrast, has maintained a centrally planned, command economy that is largely isolated from global trade. It has not undergone the market-driven industrialization or the export-led growth characteristic of NICs. Its economy remains stagnant and underdeveloped compared to the other options provided.
Therefore, North Korea is not a Newly Industrialized Country.
Which of the following is a form of informal housing?
A)
Squatter
B)
Apartment
C)
Group Housing
D)
Corporate Housing
Informal housing refers to residential dwellings that are constructed without legal title to the land, lack official building permits, or do not comply with formal planning and zoning regulations.
1. **Squatter (Correct):** Squatter settlements (or slums) are the quintessential form of informal housing. They occur when people occupy land without legal permission or ownership, building makeshift shelters. These are unplanned and operate outside the formal legal and regulatory framework of urban planning.
2. **Apartment (Incorrect):** Apartments are formal housing units, typically designed by architects and constructed according to municipal building codes and land-use laws.
3. **Group Housing (Incorrect):** Group housing refers to planned residential complexes (like gated communities or housing societies) developed by government agencies or private developers under formal regulatory approval.
4. **Corporate Housing (Incorrect):** This is a formal arrangement where companies provide furnished apartments or houses for employees, operating entirely within the legal real estate market.
Which of the following is a housing sector development scheme?
A)
HRIDAY
B)
AMRUT
C)
PMAY
D)
SBM
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. **PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana)**: This is a flagship housing scheme launched by the Government of India with the objective of providing 'Housing for All'. It is divided into two components: PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G), focusing specifically on the development and affordability of housing sectors.
2. **HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana)**: This scheme focuses on the preservation and development of the heritage character of cities, rather than general housing development.
3. **AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)**: This is an urban renewal mission focused on improving basic civic infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, storm water drains, and green spaces.
4. **SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission)**: This is a national campaign focused on sanitation and eliminating open defecation through the construction of toilets and waste management systems.
Therefore, PMAY is the only option specifically dedicated to housing sector development.
Which type of farming is known as Slash and Burn to farm?
A)
Primitive subsistence
B)
Intensive subsistence
C)
Plantation
D)
Commercial
Slash and burn agriculture is a characteristic of primitive subsistence farming. In this method, farmers clear a patch of land by cutting down trees and burning them; the ashes are then mixed with the soil to provide nutrients. Once the soil loses its fertility, the farmers move to a new plot, allowing the old land to recover naturally.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Intensive subsistence: This involves high inputs of labor and capital on small plots of land to maximize yield, typically using irrigation and fertilizers rather than shifting plots.
- c. Plantation: This is a form of commercial farming where a single crop (like tea, coffee, or rubber) is grown on a large scale for sale in the market.
- d. Commercial: This refers to large-scale farming aimed at profit, utilizing modern machinery, chemical fertilizers, and high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds.
EIA is including mechanisms for monitoring, and evaluation.
A)
Specification
B)
Auditing
C)
Reporting
D)
Concluding
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a proactive tool used to predict the environmental consequences of a proposed project. However, to ensure that the predictions made during the EIA are accurate and that the mitigation measures are being implemented effectively, a follow-up mechanism is required. This process is known as Environmental Auditing.
1. **Environmental Auditing** is the systematic, documented verification process used to evaluate whether the project's actual environmental impacts align with the predictions made in the EIA and whether the project is complying with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). It essentially serves as the 'monitoring and evaluation' phase of the EIA cycle.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Specification (a):** This refers to the detailed description of materials or standards required for a project, not a monitoring mechanism.
- **Reporting (c):** While reporting is a part of auditing, it is the act of documenting findings rather than the comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and evaluation itself.
- **Concluding (d):** This is simply the act of finishing a process and does not constitute a technical mechanism for ongoing environmental oversight.
According to 2011 Census, what was the population density of Mizoram?
A)
100 per sqkm
B)
150 per sqkm
C)
75 per sqkm
D)
52 persqkm
According to the official data from the Census of India 2011, the population density of Mizoram was recorded as 52 persons per square kilometer. Population density is calculated by dividing the total population of a region by its total land area. Mizoram has a relatively low population density compared to the national average of India (382 per sq km) due to its rugged mountainous terrain and dense forest cover.
Comparing the options:
- Option (a) 100 per sqkm: Incorrect.
- Option (b) 150 per sqkm: Incorrect.
- Option (c) 75 per sqkm: Incorrect.
- Option (d) 52 persqkm: Correct, as per the 2011 Census data.
What is the contribution of North-eastern states in the national GDP?
A)
0.1%
B)
2.8%
C)
8.5%
D)
12.5%
The contribution of the eight North-Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura) to India's national GDP (Gross State Domestic Product - GSDP) has historically been low compared to the industrial hubs of the west and south. According to economic data and reports from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the combined contribution of these states typically hovers around 2.5% to 3% of the national GDP. Option (b) 2.8% is the most accurate representation of this economic share. Options (c) 8.5% and (d) 12.5% are significantly overestimations, as no single small region of eight small states reaches that threshold. Option (a) 0.1% is an extreme underestimation, as the region's agricultural and hydroelectric potential contributes far more than a fraction of a percent.
Which type of material are use in green building?
A)
Fly ash & Green Concrete
B)
Silica Fume and Red Mud
C)
Marble dust and Blast Furnace Slag
D)
All ofthese
Green building focuses on sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint, and utilizing industrial waste materials to replace traditional cement (which is carbon-intensive).
1. Fly Ash & Green Concrete: Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and is widely used as a partial replacement for cement (pozzolanic material) to reduce CO2 emissions. Green concrete refers to concrete that uses recycled materials or low-carbon binders.
2. Silica Fume and Red Mud: Silica fume is a byproduct of silicon metal production and enhances the strength and durability of concrete. Red mud (bauxite residue) is an industrial waste from alumina production that can be incorporated into bricks or concrete to reduce landfill waste.
3. Marble Dust and Blast Furnace Slag: Marble dust is a waste product from the stone industry used as a filler in green bricks/concrete. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) is a byproduct of steel manufacture and is one of the most common sustainable alternatives to Portland cement.
Since all the materials listed in options a, b, and c are industrial byproducts used to create sustainable, eco-friendly construction materials, the correct answer is 'All of these'.
Chlorofluorocarbon are non-flammable chemicals mainly used in
A)
Perfumes
B)
Refrigerators
C)
Airconditioners
D)
All ofthese
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are synthetic organic compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They were developed as safe, non-toxic, and non-flammable alternatives to dangerous refrigerants like ammonia and sulfur dioxide.
1. **Refrigerators and Air Conditioners (Options b and c):** CFCs were primarily used as refrigerants (cooling agents) in refrigerators and air conditioning systems because of their stability and efficiency in heat transfer.
2. **Perfumes and Aerosols (Option a):** CFCs were widely used as propellants in aerosol spray cans, which include perfumes, hairsprays, and deodorants, to push the product out of the container.
Since CFCs were used in all three mentioned applications, the correct option is 'All of these'. Note: Due to their role in depleting the ozone layer, their use has been phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol (1987).
Which survey involves in the collection of information about the elevation of points?
A)
Topographic survey
B)
Marine survey
C)
Township survey
D)
Road survey
A topographic survey is specifically designed to determine the relative locations of points on the Earth's surface and, most importantly, their elevations (vertical distance relative to a datum). This is typically achieved through the use of contour lines, which connect points of equal elevation, allowing for the representation of the terrain's relief (hills, valleys, and slopes).
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Marine survey (Hydrographic survey): While it involves depth measurements (bathymetry), its primary focus is the mapping of underwater features and water bodies rather than general land elevation.
- c. Township survey: This is generally a cadastral or boundary survey used to define property lines and land ownership parcels.
- d. Road survey: While road surveys include leveling (elevation), they are a specific application of surveying for a linear project. Topographic surveying is the broader, fundamental category of survey that involves the general collection of elevation data for a given area.
The main sources of Arsenic in water are
A)
Floods
B)
Fertilizers
C)
Industrial waste
D)
Both (b) & (c)
Arsenic enters water sources through both natural (geogenic) and anthropogenic (human-made) sources.
1. **Fertilizers (Option b):** Certain phosphate fertilizers contain arsenic as an impurity. When applied to agricultural land, these can leach into groundwater or run off into surface water bodies.
2. **Industrial Waste (Option c):** Various industrial processes are significant sources of arsenic pollution. These include smelting of non-ferrous metals (like copper and lead), pesticide manufacturing, glass production, and the tanning industry. Effluents from these industries often contain high concentrations of arsenic.
3. **Floods (Option a):** While floods can redistribute contaminated sediments, they are not a 'source' of arsenic; they are a transport mechanism.
Since both fertilizers and industrial waste are primary anthropogenic sources of arsenic contamination in water, option (d) is the most comprehensive and correct answer.
EIA was introduced in India in
A)
1978
B)
1976
C)
1879
D)
1789
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was formally introduced in India in 1976. The process began when the Planning Commission and the Department of Science and Technology requested the Administrative Tribunal to examine the environmental impact of river valley projects. While the EIA process was initiated in 1976, it was later given statutory backing through the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the subsequent EIA Notification of 1994.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1978: Incorrect. While environmental awareness was growing, the formal introduction of EIA requests occurred in 1976.
- Option (b) 1976: Correct. This is the year the Indian government first started requesting environmental assessments for major projects.
- Option (c) 1879: Incorrect. This predates modern environmental science and the concept of EIA.
- Option (d) 1789: Incorrect. This predates modern environmental science and the concept of EIA.
“Sites and service” approach has been used in
A)
Aranya Housing
B)
Tara Housing
C)
IIM staff quarters
D)
Hairhand Housing
The 'Sites and Services' approach is a housing strategy where the government or agency provides a plot of land (site) and basic infrastructure (services like water, sanitation, and electricity), allowing the residents to build their own houses incrementally as their financial capacity grows.
1. Aranya Housing (Indore): Designed by B.V. Doshi, this project is a world-renowned example of the 'Sites and Services' approach. It provided a basic core and infrastructure, empowering low-income residents to expand and customize their homes over time. It won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1989.
2. Tara Housing: While focused on affordable housing, it does not define the primary benchmark for the 'Sites and Services' model in the same way Aranya does.
3. IIM staff quarters: These are typically planned, completed institutional residential complexes, not incremental sites and services projects.
4. Hairhand Housing: This is not a recognized landmark project associated with the 'Sites and Services' methodology in urban planning literature.
Which place out of the following is not related with steel production?
A)
Durgapur, West Bengal
B)
Jaipur, Orissa
C)
Jharia, Jharkhand
D)
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
To determine which place is not related to steel production, we analyze the industrial significance of each location:
1. **Durgapur, West Bengal**: This is a major industrial hub known for the Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP), making it directly related to steel production.
2. **Jamshedpur, Jharkhand**: Known as the 'Steel City' of India, it is the site of Tata Steel (TISCO), one of the largest steel plants in the country. It is fundamentally related to steel production.
3. **Jaipur, Orissa (Note: Likely a typo for Jajpur)**: While the option says 'Jaipur, Orissa', it is clearly referring to the industrial belt of Odisha (Orissa). Jajpur/Kalinganagar in Odisha is one of the largest steel hubs in India. Even if read as written, the context of the question focuses on the distinction between raw material extraction and production.
4. **Jharia, Jharkhand**: Jharia is world-famous as a **coal mining center**. While coal is a critical input (coking coal) for steel production, Jharia itself is a site of extraction (mining), not a site of steel production (manufacturing).
Therefore, among the options, Jharia is the only location primarily defined by mining rather than the production of steel.
Mitigation measures may be public awareness programme.
A)
lead agency
B)
correction
C)
preventive
D)
Aspect
In the context of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), mitigation measures are strategies designed to avoid, reduce, or remedy adverse environmental effects. These measures are generally categorized into preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures.
1. Preventive measures: These are actions taken to stop an impact from occurring in the first place. Public awareness programs are classic preventive measures because they educate the community and stakeholders on how to avoid harmful behaviors or accidents, thereby preventing environmental degradation before it happens.
2. Corrective measures (Option b): These are actions taken to fix or repair damage that has already occurred (e.g., cleaning up an oil spill).
3. Lead agency (Option a): This refers to the government body responsible for coordinating the EIA process, not a type of mitigation measure.
4. Aspect (Option d): In environmental management (ISO 14001), an 'environmental aspect' is an element of an organization's activities, products, or services that interacts or can interact with the environment. It is the cause of an impact, not a mitigation measure.
Therefore, a public awareness program serves as a preventive mitigation measure.
EIA is intrinsic link between and economic growth.
A)
Ecological
B)
Polluted
C)
Beneficial
D)
Environment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development. The core objective of EIA is to ensure that economic growth (industrialization, infrastructure development, urban expansion) does not occur at the expense of the natural world. Therefore, EIA serves as the 'intrinsic link' or the balancing mechanism between the 'Environment' and 'economic growth'.
Analysis of options:
- (a) Ecological: While related, 'Ecological' is an adjective. The sentence structure requires a noun to balance with 'economic growth'.
- (b) Polluted: This is a negative state and does not represent the systemic link EIA aims to manage.
- (c) Beneficial: This is an adjective and does not fit the conceptual framework of the link between nature and economy.
- (d) Environment: This is the correct noun. EIA bridges the gap between environmental preservation and economic development, promoting the concept of 'Sustainable Development'.