Indian Society is important part of our society and for UPSC syllabus. Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers are invaluable resources for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. In this article we present important PYQ on Indian Society.
PYQ on Indian Society
Q- The Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of was (2019)
(a) Integrated Rural Programme Development
(b) Lead Bank Scheme
(c) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(d) National Skill Development Mission
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
The Service Area Approach (SAA) is an enhanced iteration of the ‘area approach’ framework of the Lead Bank Scheme. Within the SAA scheme, every commercial bank or Regional Rural Bank (RRB) branch operating in rural and semi-urban regions is assigned responsibility for serving 15 to 25 villages to facilitate organized and systematic development in these areas.
The Service Area Approach was implemented as part of the Lead Bank Scheme in 1989, aiming to ensure methodical and planned progress in rural and semi-urban localities.
Q- Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: (2017)
- National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
- National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities uneducated youth of the country. to
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
The project is implemented by the Directorate General of Employment within the Ministry of Labour & Employment, thus Statement 1 is inaccurate.
Similarly, Statement 2 is also incorrect as the NCS offers comprehensive career-related and employment services to Indian citizens, rather than being a single-stop solution. The NCS endeavors to bridge the gap between individuals seeking training and career guidance, job seekers and employers, as well as organizations providing training and career counseling.
Its outreach is facilitated through three key components: the NCS portal, which is an advanced ICT-based platform, the establishment of Model Career Centers across the country, and the interconnection with all states via employment exchanges.
Q- Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)
- To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
- To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
- To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
The National Nutrition Mission, also known as the POSHAN Abhiyaan, is abbreviated as the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN). Launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2018, from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, it aims to address various objectives. Statement 1 is accurate, as one of its goals is to raise awareness regarding malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Statement 2 is also correct, as another objective is to decrease the prevalence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls, and women.
Additionally, the mission aims to enhance maternal and child nutrition, focusing on children under 3 years old, particularly in 200 high-burden districts.
Q- Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at (2016)
(a) bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system
(b) providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops
(c) providing pensions to old and destitute persons
(d) funding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, launched on April 8, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a flagship initiative aimed at providing accessible credit to micro and small enterprises, thereby integrating small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system. The scheme offers loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-enterprises. It comprises three loan products: Shishu, covering loans up to Rs. 50,000; Kishore, covering loans from above Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 500,000; and Tarun, covering loans from above Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 10,00,000. The sectors covered under the MUDRA Yojana include the land transport sector, community, social, and personal service activities, the food products sector, and the textile products sector.
Q- Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarma- ment and Development for 2014 was given to which one of the following? (2015)
(a) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(b) Indian Institute of Science
(c) Indian Space Research Organization
(d) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is a highly esteemed award presented annually by India to individuals or entities for their innovative contributions to advancing global peace, development, and the establishment of a new international economic framework. The prize acknowledges efforts in utilizing scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity, as well as expanding the boundaries of freedom.
Q- ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for (2015)
(a) providing housing’ loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas
(c) promoting financial inclusion in the country
(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a national initiative aimed at achieving comprehensive financial inclusion by providing banking services to all households across the country through an integrated approach. Guinness World Records has recognized the significant milestones achieved under PMJDY, certifying that the “Most bank accounts opened in one week as part of the Financial Inclusion Campaign” is 18,096,130, achieved by the Department of Financial Services, Government of India. Currently, the initiative boasts nearly 100% coverage, with 60% of the opened accounts situated in rural areas and 40% in urban areas, while approximately 51% of the account holders are female.
Q- Consider the following languages: (2014)
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Telugu
Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/ Languages’ by the Government?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
Gujarati has yet to be officially recognized as a classical language according to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Culture. Currently, there are six languages in India that hold the status of ‘Classical’: Tamil (recognized in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). These languages are all listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Q- A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their (2014)
(a) martial arts in North-East India
(b) musical tradition in North-West India
(c) classical vocal music in South India
(d) pietra dura tradition in Central India
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
The Manganiyars, residing in the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan, are Muslim communities renowned for their classical folk music and expertise in playing the Khartals.
Khartal, a traditional percussion instrument integral to Rajasthani folk music, derives its name from the Hindi words ‘kara’ meaning hand and ‘tala’ meaning rhythm, signifying the rhythmic hand movements involved in playing it. Used during both religious and social festivities, Khartals are typically crafted from Sheesham wood, teak, or occasionally metal. The Manganiyars receive patronage from the Bhati Rajput community and continue to perform at various auspicious events and festivals. They regard themselves as descendants of the Rajput lineage and are esteemed as folk musicians of the Thar desert region.
Q- Consider the following pairs: (2013)
Tribe State
1. Limboo (Limbu): Sikkim
2. Karbi : Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria Kondh: Odisha
4. Bonda : Tamil Nadu
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
Dongaria – Odisha is easy as dongaria kondh tribe.
Karbi would be of Assam – karbi aunglong protest for separate state
Bonda is the most primitive tribal groups in Odisha.
Tamang and the Limbu communities of Sikkim as ST category.