Industrial Policy and PSEs

Q1.Consider the following statements regarding India's industrial policies prior to 1991: 1. The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 introduced the concept of a 'joint sector' involving partnership between State, Central governments, and the private sector. 2. The Industrial Policy Statement of 1977 accorded the highest priority to the development of heavy industries and industrial development in backward regions. 3. The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 replaced the four-fold classification of industries from the 1948 policy with a new three-fold classification. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q2.With reference to the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), consider the following statements: 1. The ASI is the principal source of industrial statistics for both the organised and unorganised manufacturing sectors in India. 2. The survey's coverage includes all defence establishments and departmental units like railway workshops to ensure a comprehensive dataset. 3. The ASI is published annually by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and covers factories employing 10 or more workers using power. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q3.Consider the following statements about the pre-1991 industrial framework in India: 1. The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956, known as the 'Bible of State Capitalism', introduced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act. 2. The Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951, empowered the government to control industries primarily through licensing, allocation of raw materials, and price controls. 3. The Industrial Policy Statement of 1973 identified six core industries, including iron and steel, and introduced the concept of a 'joint sector' through Public-Private Partnership. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q4.Consider the following statements regarding the measurement of industrial performance in India: 1. In the sectoral-based classification for computing the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), the manufacturing sector is assigned the highest weight. 2. In the use-based classification for computing the IIP, primary goods are assigned the highest weight. 3. The eight core industries collectively comprise more than half of the total weight in the IIP. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q5.Consider the following statements regarding various institutions and indices related to the Indian economy: 1. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is compiled and published by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. 2. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in India is compiled and published by the Reserve Bank of India. 3. The National Productivity Council (NPC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q6.With reference to the Index of Eight Core Industries, consider the following statements: 1. Refinery products are assigned the highest weight in this index. 2. The combined weight of Crude Oil and Natural Gas is greater than the weight of the Steel sector. 3. The Government of India is a founder member of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), of which the National Productivity Council (NPC) is a constituent. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q7.Consider the following statements regarding industrial policy in India: 1. Railway Operations is one of the sectors that presently requires compulsory industrial licensing. 2. Industrial explosives is one of the sectors currently reserved for the public sector. 3. The New Industrial Policy, 1991, reduced the number of industries reserved for the public sector from 17 to 8. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q8.Consider the following statements regarding the recommendations of the Baba Kalyani Committee on SEZ Policy: 1. The committee recommended shifting the SEZ framework's focus from broad-based employment and economic growth to export growth. 2. It suggested adopting a supply-driven approach to improve the efficiency of investment in SEZs. 3. A key recommendation was to formulate uniform rules and procedures for both manufacturing and service SEZs to simplify compliance. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q9.Statement-I: The New Industrial Policy (NIP) of 1991 represented a fundamental shift from a regulatory to a developmental approach for Indian industry. Statement-II: A primary component of the NIP 1991 was the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which are duty-free enclaves deemed as foreign territory for trade purposes.

Q10.Consider the following statements regarding the eligibility criteria for Maharatna and Navratna status for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): 1. A CPSE must have an average annual net worth of more than ₹25,000 crore during the last 3 years to be eligible for Maharatna status. 2. Having a 'Miniratna Category-I' status is a prerequisite for a CPSE to be considered for Navratna status. 3. A significant global presence or international operations is a mandatory criterion for a CPSE to be granted Navratna status. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q11.Examine the following two statements: Statement-I: A Maharatna CPSE possesses greater financial autonomy for single-project investments without government approval compared to a Navratna CPSE. Statement-II: The absolute ceiling for a single-project investment without government approval for a Maharatna is ₹5,000 crore, which is five times the corresponding limit of ₹1,000 crore for a Navratna. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q12.Consider the following statements regarding the financial autonomy of Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): 1. Category-I Miniratna CPSEs can incur capital expenditure up to ₹300 crore or equal to 50% of their net worth, whichever is lower, without government approval. 2. To qualify for Category-II Miniratna status, a CPSE must have earned a pre-tax profit of ₹30 crore or more in at least one of the last three years. 3. Both Category-I and Category-II Miniratnas can enter into joint ventures and form subsidiaries in India, subject to specified restrictions. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q13.With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions under the Companies Act, 2013, consider the following statements: 1. Activities undertaken outside India are strictly prohibited from being considered as eligible CSR activities without any exceptions. 2. Contributions made to any fund set up by the central government for socio-economic development are considered eligible CSR expenditure. 3. Activities that benefit the employees of the company are considered an eligible CSR activity under the category of 'employment-enhancing vocational skills'. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q14.Consider the following statements regarding the institutional framework for industrial sickness and corporate governance in India: 1. The Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) was established under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and was eventually replaced by the Company Law Board. 2. Under the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019, a creditor can apply to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to place the management of a company in the hands of a judicial manager. 3. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has the authority to adjudicate proceedings that were pending before the now-dissolved Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR). How many of the above statements are correct?

Q15.Consider the following statements regarding the National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ): 1. The State government is tasked with providing external physical infrastructure linkages, such as railroads and airports, to the NIMZ. 2. The Central government is responsible for providing a suitable land parcel of at least 5,000 hectares for the establishment of an NIMZ. 3. A minimum of 30 percent of the total designated area within an NIMZ is to be allocated for the location of manufacturing units. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q16.Statement-I: The National Manufacturing Policy, 2011, envisioned National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) as instruments for promoting manufacturing, and these are distinct from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in terms of size and governance. Statement-II: The policy framework for NIMZs explicitly excluded their establishment within major industrial corridors, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), to avoid overlapping jurisdictions.

Q17.Consider the following statements based on the provided text: 1. India is the world's second-largest manufacturer of fibre, after China. 2. In the pharmaceutical sector, India ranks as the world's second-biggest industry by volume. 3. India has emerged as the second-largest consumer and second-biggest worldwide producer of finished steel. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q18.With reference to the reforms undertaken by the Government of India to improve its Ease of Doing Business ranking, consider the following statements: 1. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a key reform aimed at improving India's performance in the 'Enforcing Contracts' indicator. 2. To improve the 'Resolving Insolvency' indicator, the pecuniary jurisdiction of commercial courts was reduced from ₹1 crore to ₹3 lakh. 3. The initiative to make secured creditors the first to be paid during business liquidation was a reform under the 'Getting Credit' indicator. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q19.Consider the following statements regarding the 'Champion Sectors' initiative: 1. The Department of Commerce is the nodal department that spearheads the initiative for the Champion Sectors in Manufacturing. 2. The identification of Champion Sectors is an integral part of the 'Make in India version 2.0' initiative. 3. Both 'Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices' and 'New and Renewable Energy' are included in the list of Champion Sectors in Manufacturing. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q20.Consider the following statements regarding government initiatives to support entrepreneurship: 1. The Stand-Up India scheme provides a Fund of Funds with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore, managed by SIDBI, to support startups. 2. The Make in India initiative established the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) bank to provide venture capital financing to new setups. 3. The Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) was launched to provide financial assistance to startups through approved incubators. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q21.With reference to the capital goods sector and investment in an economy, consider the following statements: 1. A sustained increase in government capital expenditure is a key policy tool for stimulating industrial growth. 2. An increase in public capital expenditure on infrastructure invariably leads to the crowding out of private investment. 3. Capital goods are final goods that are used as inputs for the further production of other goods and services. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q22.Consider the following statements regarding the Union Budget's focus on capital expenditure: Statement-I: The sustained increase in public capital expenditure is primarily intended to create a 'crowding-out' effect, thereby reducing the private sector's role in infrastructure. Statement-II: The government's strategy anticipates that higher public capital outlay will stimulate private investment and expand the economy's overall productive capacity. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q23.Consider the following statements regarding the Index of Industrial Production (IIP): 1. In the sectoral classification of the IIP, the mining sector is assigned the highest weightage. 2. The IIP is compiled and published on a monthly basis by the National Statistical Office (NSO). 3. In the use-based classification of the IIP, capital goods have the highest weightage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q24.With reference to the evolution of India's industrial policy since 1991, consider the following statements: 1. Production related to Atomic Energy is one of the few sectors still under the compulsory industrial licensing regime. 2. The policy shift aimed at deregulation led to the abolition of industrial licensing for all sectors, including defence equipment and hazardous chemicals. 3. The number of industries exclusively reserved for the public sector has been progressively reduced to fewer than five. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q25.Consider the following statements regarding the framework of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India: 1. The establishment of a Special Economic Zone is exclusively reserved for the Central Government or its designated agencies. 2. For the purposes of trade operations, duties, and tariffs, an SEZ is legally deemed to be a territory outside the customs territory of India. 3. A key objective of recent reform proposals is to allow SEZ units to undertake manufacturing activities for the domestic market, a practice known as 'reverse job work'. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q26.Consider the following statements regarding the financing and autonomy of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in India: 1. In recent years, the reliance of CPSEs on their Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR) for capital expenditure has consistently increased, reducing their dependence on government budgetary support. 2. The status of 'Navratna' or 'Miniratna' is granted to a CPSE to provide greater financial autonomy, which can be constrained by pressures to pay high dividends to the government. 3. All Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), including Public Sector Banks and State-Level Public Enterprises, are administered by the Department of Public Enterprises. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q27.With reference to the global competitiveness of India's textile industry, consider the following statements: 1. A substantial majority of the production capacity within India's textile industry is concentrated in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clusters. 2. Compared to key competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam, India's textile sector exhibits higher labour productivity, enhancing its manufacturing efficiency. 3. The textile industry is the largest employment generator in the country's manufacturing sector and contributes more than one-tenth to India's total exports. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q28.With reference to India's industrial policy and the role of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), consider the following statements: 1. The government's stated policy includes the privatization or closure of loss-making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in non-strategic sectors. 2. As per recent assessments, the pace of disinvestment and closure of designated non-strategic CPSEs has significantly accelerated. 3. Under the Indian Constitution, 'Industries' is a subject placed under the concurrent control of both the Union and the States. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q29.Consider the following statements regarding India's strategy for securing critical minerals: 1. The strategy prioritizes overseas acquisitions of mineral assets, sidelining domestic exploration efforts to conserve national resources. 2. A key component involves an incentive scheme to develop recycling capacity for minerals like lithium and cobalt from sources like e-waste. 3. The Geological Survey of India is excluded from exploration activities under the mission to exclusively promote private sector participation. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q30.With reference to India's initiatives for a circular economy in the minerals sector, consider the following statements: 1. The government has launched an incentive scheme focused on building recycling capacity primarily for bulk minerals like iron ore and steel scrap. 2. The initiative aims to supplement domestic supply chains for strategic minerals more rapidly than what can be achieved through new mining projects. 3. A primary objective of promoting mineral recycling is to manage and reduce the environmental impact of growing electronic and battery waste. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q31.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: A primary objective of India's national manufacturing policies has been to increase the sector's share in national GDP and create large-scale employment. Statement-II: Securing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals is essential for enhancing competitiveness and value addition in advanced manufacturing sectors. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q32.With reference to the regulatory framework for the corporate sector in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is the primary administrative authority for the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. 2. The supervision of professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the MCA. 3. The administration of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, is a function carried out by the MCA. How many of the statements given above are correct?