Questions & explanations
1. Which of the following are recognised strengths of NGOs in India's development process?
1. Last-mile reach to marginalised groups
2. Capacity to pilot innovations later scaled by the state
3. Strong, uniform financial accountability across the sector
Select the correct answer:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Last-mile reach and innovation-piloting are genuine NGO strengths. Strong uniform accountability is NOT a strength - accountability is in fact a noted weakness of the sector.
2. The Microfinance crisis of 2010 that prompted RBI regulation and the NBFC-MFI category occurred mainly in which state?
- (a) Maharashtra
- (b) Andhra Pradesh
- (c) Kerala
- (d) Punjab
Answer: (b) Andhra Pradesh
The 2010 microfinance crisis of over-lending and coercive recovery centred on Andhra Pradesh, leading the RBI to create the NBFC-MFI category and fair-practice rules.
3. Which Japanese agency financed the Delhi Metro and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project?
- (a) World Bank
- (b) JICA
- (c) ADB
- (d) UNDP
Answer: (b) JICA
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided concessional financing for both the Delhi Metro and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train.
4. The Lakhpati Didi scheme, in the news recently, is associated with:
- (a) Free housing for urban poor
- (b) SHG women earning over Rs 1 lakh per year
- (c) Crop insurance for farmers
- (d) Loans to street vendors
Answer: (b) SHG women earning over Rs 1 lakh per year
The Lakhpati Didi initiative (announced 2023) aims to make crores of SHG women earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually through diversified livelihoods.
5. An NGO in India can be legally registered under which of the following?
- (a) Only the Societies Registration Act 1860
- (b) Societies Registration Act 1860, Indian Trusts Act 1882, or Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013
- (c) Only the Indian Trusts Act 1882
- (d) Only the FCRA 2010
Answer: (b) Societies Registration Act 1860, Indian Trusts Act 1882, or Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013
NGOs may register as a society (Societies Registration Act 1860), a trust (Indian Trusts Act 1882), or a Section 8 company (Companies Act 2013).
6. DAY-NRLM, the flagship rural mission promoting SHGs, stands for:
- (a) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission
- (b) Direct Account Yojana - National Rural Loan Mission
- (c) Deendayal Agriculture Yojana - New Rural Livelihoods Mission
- (d) District Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Land Mission
Answer: (a) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission
DAY-NRLM is the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission, the flagship programme mobilising rural women into SHGs.
7. The grassroots movement that led to the enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005 was spearheaded by:
- (a) SEWA in Gujarat
- (b) Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan
- (c) Narmada Bachao Andolan
- (d) Chipko Movement
Answer: (b) Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan
The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan led the campaign for transparency that culminated in the RTI Act 2005.
8. The Ministry of Cooperation, with the motto 'Sahkar se Samriddhi', was created in which year?
- (a) 2014
- (b) 2019
- (c) 2021
- (d) 2023
Answer: (c) 2021
The Ministry of Cooperation was created in 2021 to strengthen the cooperative movement, with the motto 'Sahkar se Samriddhi'.
9. The NGO-DARPAN portal, used for NGO registration and accessing government grants, is maintained by which body?
- (a) Ministry of Home Affairs
- (b) NITI Aayog
- (c) NABARD
- (d) Reserve Bank of India
Answer: (b) NITI Aayog
NGO-DARPAN is a NITI Aayog portal that provides a unique ID to NGOs and is mandatory for those seeking government grants.