15 questions·with explanations·for RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
Questions
Q1
Consider the following statements about poverty estimates for 2011-12:
1. By the Tendulkar methodology, the share of population below the poverty line was 21.9%.
2. The Rangarajan Expert Group (2014) estimated it at 29.5%.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(1)1 only
(2)2 only
(3)Both 1 and 2✓ Correct answer
(4)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (3) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
The Planning Commission's Tendulkar-method estimate for 2011-12 was 21.9%, while the Rangarajan group put it at 29.5%.
Q2
Which expert group (1993) recommended state-specific poverty lines, updated using the CPI for agricultural labourers in rural areas and the CPI for industrial workers in urban areas?
(1)Y.K. Alagh Task Force
(2)N.C. Saxena Committee
(3)S.R. Hashim Committee
(4)D.T. Lakdawala Expert Group✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) D.T. Lakdawala Expert Group
Explanation
The Lakdawala Expert Group (1993) disaggregated the poverty line by state and indexed it to CPI-AL (rural) and CPI-IW (urban).
Q3
Which expert group, which submitted its report in 2009, moved away from the calorie-based poverty line and recommended a common poverty line basket for rural and urban India?
(1)N.C. Saxena Committee
(2)Suresh Tendulkar Expert Group✓ Correct answer
(3)Abhijit Sen Committee
(4)S.R. Hashim Committee
Answer: (2) Suresh Tendulkar Expert Group
Explanation
The Tendulkar group (2009) dropped the calorie anchor and used the urban poverty line basket (based on MRP consumption) for both rural and urban areas.
Q4
According to the Rangarajan Expert Group (2014), the poverty line for 2011-12 in terms of per capita consumption expenditure per day was approximately:
(1)₹32 in rural and ₹47 in urban areas✓ Correct answer
(2)₹27 in rural and ₹33 in urban areas
(3)₹22 in rural and ₹28 in urban areas
(4)₹40 in rural and ₹55 in urban areas
Answer: (1) ₹32 in rural and ₹47 in urban areas
Explanation
Rangarajan set monthly lines of ₹972 (rural) and ₹1,407 (urban), about ₹32 and ₹47 a day; the Tendulkar lines were about ₹27 and ₹33.
Q5
The calorie norm traditionally used in India for defining the rural poverty line was:
(1)2100 kcal per person per day
(2)1800 kcal per person per day
(3)2400 kcal per person per day✓ Correct answer
(4)2800 kcal per person per day
Answer: (3) 2400 kcal per person per day
Explanation
The calorie-based poverty line used 2400 kcal per person per day for rural areas and 2100 kcal for urban areas.
Q6
According to NITI Aayog's discussion paper 'Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06' (January 2024), about how many people escaped multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23?
(1)13.5 crore
(2)24.82 crore✓ Correct answer
(3)41.5 crore
(4)18.7 crore
Answer: (2) 24.82 crore
Explanation
The paper estimated that multidimensional poverty fell from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, with 24.82 crore people moving out.
Q7
Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, subsidised foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System are to cover up to what share of the population?
(1)50% rural and 75% urban
(2)67% rural and 33% urban
(3)80% rural and 60% urban
(4)75% rural and 50% urban✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 75% rural and 50% urban
Explanation
The NFSA, 2013 covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population (about two-thirds overall) under TPDS.
Q8
Match List-I (type of unemployment) with List-II (description):
List-I: A. Frictional B. Structural C. Cyclical D. Seasonal
List-II: 1. Arises during an economic downturn 2. Mismatch between workers' skills and available jobs 3. Off-season idleness in agriculture 4. Temporary, while moving between jobs
Select the correct code:
(1)A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
(2)A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
(3)A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3✓ Correct answer
(4)A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
Answer: (3) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
Explanation
Frictional unemployment occurs between jobs, structural from skill mismatch, cyclical in downturns and seasonal in off-seasons.
Q9
Consider the following statements about the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS):
1. It is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and was launched in 2017.
2. In Current Weekly Status (CWS), activity status is judged on the basis of the last 7 days before the survey.
3. Monthly all-India CWS estimates began with the bulletin for April 2025.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only
(2)2 and 3 only
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
PLFS was launched by NSO (MoSPI) in 2017; CWS uses a 7-day reference period, and after the 2025 revamp the first monthly bulletin (April 2025) was released in May 2025.
Q10
In labour statistics such as the PLFS, the unemployment rate is defined as the number of unemployed persons as a percentage of:
(1)The labour force✓ Correct answer
(2)The total population
(3)The working-age population
(4)The employed persons
Answer: (1) The labour force
Explanation
Unemployment rate = unemployed persons ÷ labour force (employed + unemployed) × 100.
Q11
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, which replaced MGNREGA from 1 July 2026, guarantees each rural household how many days of wage employment in a financial year?
(1)100 days
(2)150 days
(3)120 days
(4)125 days✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 125 days
Explanation
The VB-G RAM G Act raises the guarantee from MGNREGA's 100 days to 125 days per rural household per financial year.
Q12
Consider the following statements about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (repealed from 1 July 2026):
1. It first came into force on 2 February 2006 in 200 districts.
2. The wages for unskilled work under it were shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio 60:40.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(1)1 only✓ Correct answer
(2)2 only
(3)Both 1 and 2
(4)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (1) 1 only
Explanation
MGNREGA began on 2 February 2006 in 200 districts; the Centre bore the full cost of unskilled wages. The 60:40 sharing applies under the new VB-G RAM G Act.
Q13
The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM, 'Aajeevika'), launched in 2011 and later renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–NRLM, was formed by restructuring which earlier scheme?
NRLM restructured the SGSY (1999), which itself had merged IRDP, TRYSEM and other self-employment schemes; it works through women's self-help groups.
Q14
Consider the following statements about Ayushman Bharat:
1. Its Health and Wellness Centres have been renamed 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras'.
2. PM-JAY provides health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
3. Since October 2024, all citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for PM-JAY irrespective of income.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only
(2)2 and 3 only✓ Correct answer
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3
Answer: (2) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Health and Wellness Centres were renamed 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir'; statements 2 and 3 are correct (the 70+ extension, via the Ayushman Vay Vandana card, began on 29 October 2024).
Q15
Under the extension of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024, how many additional rural houses are to be built during 2024-25 to 2028-29?
(1)2 crore✓ Correct answer
(2)1 crore
(3)3 crore
(4)5 crore
Answer: (1) 2 crore
Explanation
The Cabinet approved 2 crore more PMAY-G houses for 2024-25 to 2028-29 (₹1.20 lakh unit assistance in plains), alongside 1 crore houses under PMAY-Urban 2.0.