India Transformed – Part I
Short Questions
1. What is GATT?
Answer: GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) is a 1947 multinational trade agreement to promote economic development through trade.
2. When was the World Trade Organization (WTO) founded?
Answer: The WTO was founded on January 1, 1995.
3. What is the Dunkel Draft?
Answer: It’s a draft by Arthur Dunkel, emphasizing free trade and liberalization, fundamental to the WTO’s establishment.
4. What is the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana?
Answer: A 1993 scheme to create job opportunities for educated youth in India.
5. When was the Kisan Credit Card plan started?
Answer: It was started in 1998 to support farmers with funds and insurance.
6. What is the Golden Quadrilateral?
Answer: A 1998 highway project connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
7. When did the Indian Postal Department start the Speed Post service?
Answer: Speed Post was started in 1986.
8. What is BRICS?
Answer: BRICS is an organization of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, formed in 2006 to enhance trade.
9. What is Param-8000?
Answer: A supercomputer developed by C-DAC, Pune, marking India’s entry into the global computer market.
10. When was the Right to Information Act implemented in Maharashtra?
Answer: It was implemented on October 12, 2005.
Long Questions
1. How did India’s economic policies change after 1990?
Answer: After 1990, India adopted liberal economic policies, promoting globalization. It joined the WTO, simplified import rules, and modified patent laws. Leaders like Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh boosted economic growth, reducing poverty and improving infrastructure.
2. What is the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Answer: The WTO, formed in 1995, promotes free global trade among 123 nations. It sets rules for trade, reduces customs duties, and supports economic development. India’s membership helped it integrate into the global economy.
3. What are the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana?
Answer: Launched in 2000, this scheme aims to build good roads in rural areas. It connects villages to improve access to health, education, and economic opportunities. By 2005, 75,000 km of roads were completed.
4. How has the Indian Postal Department modernized its services?
Answer: The Indian Postal Department, over 250 years old, now offers banking, Speed Post, and courier services. It introduced ATMs, mutual funds, and Ganga Jal delivery. Personalized stamps and philatelic services also enhance its offerings.
5. What is the significance of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)?
Answer: Launched in 2005, JNNURM modernizes cities by improving roads, public transport, and sewage systems. It focuses on housing for the poor and efficient waste management, transforming urban infrastructure across India.
6. How has India progressed in the field of science and technology?
Answer: India developed supercomputers like Param-8000 and launched satellites like Chandrayaan-1. The IT sector grew, with cities like Pune becoming hubs. Nuclear tests and internet expansion highlight India’s technological advancements.
7. What was the impact of the Kargil War on India’s defense policies?
Answer: The 1999 Kargil War led India to modernize its military. It upgraded equipment, trained personnel, and built the Arihant nuclear submarine. Joint military exercises with other nations also strengthened defense capabilities.
8. What are the key features of the Right to Information Act 2005?
Answer: The RTI Act allows citizens to access public records, documents, and data. It promotes transparency by letting people request information from public authorities. The act was influenced by movements led by activists like Anna Hazare.
9. Why were new states like Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand formed in 2000?
Answer: Large states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were divided for better governance. Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand were created on November 1 and 9, 2000, respectively, after long-standing regional demands for separate states.
10. How do youth-related policies in India support young people?
Answer: Policies like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan train youth in skills and leadership. National Youth Day and festivals promote talent, while youth hostels encourage adventure. These initiatives empower India’s large youth population.
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