π Chapter 10 Β· Previous Year Questions
Poverty, Unemployment & HDI β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Poverty, Unemployment, and Human Development.
π‘ Tip: Previous year questions reveal the exact pattern. Study these carefully β similar questions repeat every year.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), consider the following statements:
1. MPI was developed by UNDP and OPHI.
2. MPI measures poverty across three dimensions: Health, Education, and Living Standards.
3. A person is multidimensionally poor if deprived in at least 50% of weighted indicators.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. MPI was developed by UNDP and OPHI.
2. MPI measures poverty across three dimensions: Health, Education, and Living Standards.
3. A person is multidimensionally poor if deprived in at least 50% of weighted indicators.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyStatements 1 and 2 are correct. MPI was developed by UNDP and OPHI; it measures poverty across Health, Education, and Living Standards. Statement 3 is incorrect β a person is multidimensionally poor if deprived in at least one-third (33%), not 50%, of weighted indicators.
The term “disguised unemployment” in the context of Indian agriculture means:
A) Unemployment that is not reported in official statistics
B) More workers employed than needed β marginal productivity of labour is zero
C) Workers employed in wrong occupations
D) Seasonal unemployment in agriculture
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Answer: B)Disguised unemployment means more workers are employed than needed β their marginal productivity is zero. If removed, output would not fall. It is most common in Indian agriculture where family members work on small farms that don’t need so many workers.
MGNREGA was enacted in which year?
A) 2000
B) 2005
C) 2009
D) 2012
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Answer: B) 2005MGNREGA was enacted in 2005 as NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). It was renamed MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) in 2009. It guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.
The Rangarajan Committee (2014) estimated India’s poverty at what percentage (2011-12)?
A) 21.9%
B) 37.2%
C) 29.5%
D) 45.3%
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Answer: C) 29.5%The Rangarajan Committee (2014) estimated India’s poverty at 29.5% (2011-12) β higher than Tendulkar’s 21.9%. Rangarajan used a more comprehensive poverty line of βΉ32/day (rural) and βΉ47/day (urban), including food, clothing, shelter, education, health, and transport.
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Human Development Index (HDI)?
A) Life expectancy at birth
B) Mean years of schooling
C) Gini coefficient
D) GNI per capita (PPP)
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Answer: C) Gini coefficientThe Gini coefficient is NOT a component of HDI. HDI has three components: (1) Life expectancy at birth (health), (2) Education (mean years of schooling + expected years of schooling), and (3) GNI per capita in PPP terms (standard of living). Gini coefficient measures inequality, not HDI.
Under MGNREGA, what percentage of workers must be women?
A) 25%
B) 33%
C) 50%
D) 40%
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Answer: B) 33%MGNREGA mandates that at least 33% of workers must be women. In practice, women constitute ~55% of MGNREGA workers β well above the mandate. This has significantly contributed to women’s financial independence and empowerment in rural India.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) provides how many kg of grain per month to the poorest of poor?
A) 5 kg
B) 10 kg
C) 25 kg
D) 35 kg
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Answer: D) 35 kgAntyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) provides 35 kg of grain per month at βΉ2/kg (wheat) and βΉ3/kg (rice) to the poorest of poor households. It was launched in 2000 to target the most destitute families who were not adequately covered by the regular PDS.
India’s calorie norm for determining the rural poverty line is:
A) 2,100 calories per day
B) 2,400 calories per day
C) 2,700 calories per day
D) 1,800 calories per day
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Answer: B) 2,400 calories per dayIndia’s calorie norm for rural poverty line is 2,400 calories per day (higher because rural people do more physical work). For urban areas, it is 2,100 calories per day. This calorie-based approach was first used by the Alagh Committee (1979) and forms the basis of India’s poverty measurement.
Which of the following best describes “frictional unemployment”?
A) Unemployment due to economic recession
B) Unemployment due to mismatch of skills
C) Temporary unemployment while switching jobs or entering workforce
D) Unemployment during agricultural off-season
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Answer: C)Frictional unemployment is temporary unemployment that occurs when people are between jobs or entering the workforce for the first time. It is considered “natural” and unavoidable in any economy. Example: A fresh graduate searching for first job for 2-3 months.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in India is conducted by:
A) NITI Aayog
B) Ministry of Labour
C) National Statistical Office (NSO)
D) Reserve Bank of India
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Answer: C) National Statistical Office (NSO)The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It provides official annual unemployment data using three approaches: Usual Status, Current Weekly Status, and Current Daily Status.