← AD (Town Planning)
Past Questions — 2026
Which of the following statements regarding land acquisition as per the Act of 2013 is FALSE?
A)
Acquisition process is undertaken in consultation with Local Self Government
B)
There is provision for rehabilitation for all the affected families
C)
The purposes for which land can be acquired has been mentioned
D)
Central Government directly acquires the land and transfers it to concerned agency
Under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, land acquisition is not described as the Central Government directly acquiring land and transferring it to an agency in the usual manner. The Act requires a structured process with social impact assessment, consultation with Local Self Government, and rehabilitation and resettlement provisions for affected families. It also specifies the purposes for which land may be acquired. Therefore, option (d) is false, while (a), (b), and (c) are correct statements.
A Dead-end System in water distribution is also known as:
A)
Gridiron system
B)
Ring system
C)
Tree system
D)
Radial system
A dead-end system in water distribution is the same as a tree system, because the mains branch out like a tree and terminate at dead ends. In this layout, water flow is in one direction and the lines end without forming loops. Gridiron, ring, and radial systems are different network arrangements and are not dead-end systems.
What is the term for the process of using living organisms to clean up or reduce environmental pollution?
A)
Bioremediation
B)
Overconsumption
C)
Soil erosion
D)
Greenwashing
Bioremediation is the use of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, or plants to break down or remove pollutants from contaminated soil, water, or air. It is a pollution-cleanup technique in environmental engineering. The other options are incorrect: overconsumption means excessive use of resources, soil erosion is the wearing away of topsoil, and greenwashing is misleadingly presenting something as environmentally friendly.
A residential zone has a population of 12,000 and per-capita demand of 135 LPCD. If the maximum day factor = 1.8, what is the maximum daily demand?
A)
2.16 MLD
B)
2.43 MLD
C)
2.92 MLD
D)
3.24 MLD
Average daily demand = Population × per-capita demand = 12,000 × 135 LPCD = 1,620,000 L/day = 1.62 MLD.
Maximum daily demand = Average daily demand × maximum day factor = 1.62 × 1.8 = 2.916 MLD ≈ 2.92 MLD.
So the correct answer is (c).
Gini Coefficient of 1.0 represents:
A)
Perfect equality
B)
Perfect inequality
C)
Zero population
D)
Maximum density
The Gini coefficient measures income or wealth inequality on a scale from 0 to 1. A value of 0 means perfect equality, where everyone has the same income or wealth. A value of 1 means perfect inequality, where one person has all the income/wealth and everyone else has none. Therefore, 1.0 represents perfect inequality. The other options are incorrect because perfect equality corresponds to 0, and the remaining choices are unrelated to the Gini coefficient.
Stratified sampling is preferred when:
A)
Population is homogeneous
B)
Area is small
C)
Population is heterogeneous
D)
Budget is unlimited
Stratified sampling is used when the population has distinct subgroups or strata that differ from one another, i.e., the population is heterogeneous. The population is first divided into homogeneous strata, and then samples are drawn from each stratum to ensure proper representation. Option (a) is wrong because if the population is homogeneous, simple random sampling is usually sufficient. Option (b) is irrelevant because area size does not determine the choice of stratified sampling. Option (d) is also incorrect because budget is not the key criterion for stratified sampling.
Which of the following helps in reduction of rain water runoff and mitigating of urban flooding? 1. Tree cover 2. Permeable concrete blocks 3. Lawns 4. Paver blocks Which of the above statements are correct?
A)
1, 2 and 4
B)
1, 3 and 4
C)
1, 2, 3 and 4
D)
1, 2 and 3
All four measures help reduce rainwater runoff and thereby mitigate urban flooding. Tree cover increases interception and infiltration, lawns absorb water and slow down surface flow, permeable concrete blocks allow water to percolate into the ground, and paver blocks (when used as permeable/porous paving or with joints) reduce impervious surface area and improve drainage. Hence, all statements are correct.
Sewer exfiltration primarily affects:
A)
Pipe pressure
B)
Flow velocity
C)
Groundwater quality
D)
Treatment efficiency
Sewer exfiltration means leakage of sewage out of sewer pipes into the surrounding soil. Its primary effect is contamination of the subsurface and nearby groundwater, so the correct answer is groundwater quality. Pipe pressure is not the main concern in gravity sewers, flow velocity is unrelated, and treatment efficiency is a downstream issue rather than the direct primary effect.
Workforce participation rate represents:
A)
Employed population as % of total population
B)
Working population as % of total population
C)
Working population as % of adult population
D)
Employed population as % of households
Workforce participation rate (also called labor force participation rate in many contexts) indicates the proportion of the working-age/adult population that is economically active or in the workforce. Among the given options, this is best matched by 'Working population as % of adult population.' Option (a) is wrong because it refers only to the employed population, not the whole workforce. Option (b) is too broad and does not specify the adult/working-age base. Option (d) is incorrect because households are not the standard denominator.
The Town Planning Committee comes under which among the following parts of Constitution of India?
A)
Part VII
B)
Part IX
C)
Part lXA
D)
None of them
The Town Planning Committee is provided for under Part IXA of the Constitution, which deals with Municipalities. Specifically, Article 243ZE (Committee for metropolitan planning) and related municipal provisions fall under this part. Hence, the correct option is (c) Part IXA. Part VII deals with states/territories in a different historical context, and Part IX relates to Panchayats, not urban town planning committees.
What are the factors affecting per capita demand?
A)
Size of city
B)
Size of city, habit of people
C)
Cost of water, quality of water, size of city
D)
Cost of water, quality of water, size of city, habit of people
Per capita water demand is influenced by several social and physical factors. The important ones among the given options are: cost of water, quality of water, size of city, and habits of people. A larger city generally has higher demand due to more domestic and commercial use, while people’s habits affect consumption patterns. Cost and quality of water also directly influence how much water is used. Hence, option (d) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incomplete because they list only some of the factors.
Under which policy do public sector enterprises set prices such that total revenue equals total cost (no profit, no loss)?
A)
No-Profit No-Loss Policy
B)
Marginal Cost Pricing
C)
Profit-price policy
D)
Price skimming
Under the No-Profit No-Loss Policy, public sector enterprises fix prices so that total revenue exactly equals total cost. This means the enterprise neither earns profit nor incurs loss.
Why others are incorrect:
- (b) Marginal Cost Pricing: prices are based on marginal cost, which may not cover total cost.
- (c) Profit-price policy: aims to earn profit, not break even.
- (d) Price skimming: a marketing strategy of setting a high initial price, unrelated to break-even pricing in public enterprises.
This gas is released from landfills and can be used to generate electricity.
A)
Sulphur dioxide
B)
Methane
C)
Ammonia
D)
Nitrous oxide
Landfills decompose organic waste anaerobically, producing landfill gas. The major useful component of this gas is methane, which can be captured and used to generate electricity. Sulphur dioxide, ammonia, and nitrous oxide are not the primary landfill gas used for power generation.
For public projects where the government fails to provide services all by itself,________ is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the government bodies to finance, design, construct, own and operate the service facility.
A)
Tax free construction
B)
Crowd Sourcing of funds
C)
Build - Operate- Transfer (BOT)
D)
Infrastructure Project Development Fund
In a BOT model, a private entity gets a concession from the government to finance, design, construct, own/operate the facility for a period, and then transfer it back as per the agreement. This is commonly used for public infrastructure projects when the government cannot provide the service entirely on its own. The other options are not standard project-financing concession models: tax-free construction is not a financing structure, crowd sourcing is not a government concession model, and Infrastructure Project Development Fund is a fund source, not a delivery/financing concession arrangement.
In the Pre-Feasibility Stage, which analysis is conducted to determine if a project is worth the investment of a detailed feasibility study?
A)
Sensitivity Analysis
B)
Opportunity Study
C)
Post-Mortem Analysis
D)
Impact Mitigation Audit
In project management, the Pre-Feasibility Stage is used to make a preliminary assessment of whether a project idea is attractive enough to justify a full, detailed feasibility study. This is commonly called an Opportunity Study. Sensitivity Analysis is done later to test how changes in key variables affect project viability. Post-Mortem Analysis is done after project completion to review performance, and Impact Mitigation Audit is related to assessing/monitoring impacts, not screening whether to proceed with feasibility study.
The average consumption of water required in factories in lpcd is :
A)
10-15
B)
20-30
C)
30-45
D)
70-80
In town planning and water supply estimates, factory water demand is generally taken as about 20–30 litres per capita per day (lpcd) for average industrial consumption. This is lower than domestic demand and much lower than high-demand uses like bulk institutions or heavy industrial processes. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Which of the following does not help in disinfecting water?
A)
Filtration
B)
Chlorine tablets
C)
Alums
D)
Boiling
Disinfection means killing disease-causing microorganisms in water. Chlorine tablets and boiling both disinfect water. Filtration can also help by removing many suspended impurities and some microbes, though it is not the main disinfecting method. Alum is mainly used as a coagulant to help settle suspended particles during water clarification; it does not disinfect water.
DAY-NULM stands for:
A)
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission
B)
Deendayal Awas Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission
C)
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urbanization Leveraging Mission
D)
Deendayal Awas Yojana - National Urban Livability Mission
DAY-NULM expands to Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission. It is the renamed form of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission, with DAY added as the umbrella branding. The other options use incorrect expansions such as Awas, Urbanization Leveraging, or Livability, which are not the official name.
Air Valves in a water main should be placed at:
A)
Every low point (valley) of the pipeline
B)
The midpoint of every straight section
C)
Only at the treatment plant
D)
Every high point (summit) of the pipeline
Air valves are provided at the high points or summits of a water main because air naturally accumulates at these locations. If trapped air is not released, it can reduce flow capacity, create pressure surges, and obstruct the movement of water. Hence, the correct placement is at every high point. The other options are incorrect because low points mainly need scour/washout valves, the midpoint of straight sections is not the usual rule, and air valves are not placed only at the treatment plant.
Load Factor in power planning is the ratio of:
A)
Peak load to total capacity
B)
Average load to peak load
C)
Active power to reactive power
D)
Residential load to industrial load
Load factor is defined as the ratio of the average load over a given period to the maximum (peak) load during that period. It indicates how steadily electricity is used.
So, (b) is correct.
- (a) Peak load to total capacity = not load factor.
- (c) Active power to reactive power = power factor-related concept, not load factor.
- (d) Residential load to industrial load = a comparison of load types, not load factor.
Which Indian city is known for its ‘waste-to-wealth’ model and being a ‘zero-landfill city’?
A)
Delhi
B)
Pimpri-Chinchwad
C)
Bengaluru
D)
Indore
Indore is widely known as India’s ‘waste-to-wealth’ model city and has been recognized as a ‘zero-landfill city’ due to its strong source segregation, scientific waste processing, and recycling systems. Delhi and Bengaluru are not known by this title, and Pimpri-Chinchwad is also associated with good waste management but the standard answer for this description is Indore.
Benchmarks providing Authority for solid waste management as per URDPFI:
A)
CPHEEO & Service level benchmarking
B)
SPCB
C)
Municipal
D)
None of the above
URDPFI guidelines refer to solid waste management benchmarks through CPHEEO manuals and service level benchmarking frameworks. CPHEEO (Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation) provides technical guidance, and service level benchmarking is used for assessing municipal service standards. The other options are not the benchmark authority mentioned in URDPFI.
The primary driver of rapid urban growth, especially in developing countries, is:
A)
Suburbanization
B)
Rural-to-urban migration
C)
Urban renewal
D)
Declining rural areas
Rapid urban growth in developing countries is primarily driven by rural-to-urban migration, where people move from villages to cities in search of jobs, education, healthcare, and better living conditions. This increases the urban population quickly. Suburbanization refers to movement from city centers to suburbs, urban renewal is the improvement of existing urban areas, and declining rural areas may contribute indirectly but is not the primary direct driver.
As per IS 1742:1960, recommended spacing of manholes on straight reaches on sewer line for diameter upto 0.9m is:
A)
45m
B)
75m
C)
90m
D)
120m
As per standard sewer design practice under IS 1742:1960, the recommended spacing of manholes on straight sewer reaches for pipe diameters up to 0.9 m is 75 m. Larger spacing is permitted for larger diameters, while smaller spacing is used for smaller sewers or at junctions/changes in direction. Hence, the correct answer is 75 m.
The DPSIR framework in environmental planning stands for:
A)
Development–Policy–System–Impact–Response
B)
Driving forces–Pressures–State–Impact–Response
C)
Demand–Population–Supply–Impact–Recovery
D)
Data–Planning–System–Impact–Regulation
The DPSIR framework is a causal chain used by environmental agencies (such as the European Environment Agency) to describe the interactions between society and the environment.
1. **Driving forces (D):** These are the underlying social, economic, or demographic factors that lead to environmental pressure (e.g., population growth, industrialization, urban expansion).
2. **Pressures (P):** These are the direct stresses placed on the environment resulting from the driving forces (e.g., emission of greenhouse gases, waste discharge, deforestation).
3. **State (S):** This refers to the physical, chemical, or biological condition of the environment at a specific time (e.g., air quality index, water purity levels, forest cover percentage).
4. **Impact (I):** These are the consequences of the changed state on human health, ecosystems, or the economy (e.g., increased respiratory diseases, loss of biodiversity, crop failure).
5. **Response (R):** These are the actions taken by society or policymakers to address the problem and mitigate the impacts (e.g., environmental laws, carbon taxes, reforestation programs).
Options a, c, and d are incorrect as they use terms that do not align with the standardized environmental planning model developed for assessing environmental indicators.