Industry: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Indian Economy)
44 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on industry are listed here, from 1996 to 2025. UPSC asks about MSMEs, the UDAY scheme, coal and mining institutions, CSR rules, e-commerce rules and trade-related investment measures. Recent papers covered ethanol, the National Rail Plan and the oil and gas value chain. The explanations state what each scheme or rule does.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 41–44 of 44 questions
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UPSC 1999Indian Economy · Industry
Q41. The planning process in the industrial sector in India has assumed a relatively less important position in the nineties as compared to that in the earlier period. Which one of the following is not true in this regard?
Explanation
Option (d) is incorrect: Although rural development received increased focus, industrial development continued as a key priority. The 1990s witnessed significant efforts to modernize and expand the industrial sector, driven by liberalization and economic reforms. These changes aimed at boosting global competitiveness and integrating Indian industries into the international market. Options (a), (b), (c) are correct:
With the onset of liberalization in the 1990s, industrial investment and development increasingly moved into the hands of private and multinational sectors. Reduced government control allowed these entities to play a more prominent role, fostering greater foreign direct investment and creating a more competitive industrial environment. With market forces gaining prominence, the traditional role of central planning diminished, giving way to market-driven strategies. This shift reduced the need for detailed government oversight, as industries increasingly relied on market dynamics for growth, efficiency, and innovation, reshaping the economic landscape. In the 1990s, there was a notable shift towards human resource development, emphasizing education, skill development, and healthcare to support economic growth. This approach aimed to enhance the quality of the workforce, aligning with the needs of a liberalized economy.
UPSC 1999Indian Economy · Industry
Q42. Which one of the following is the objective of National Renewal Fund?
Explanation
The National Renewal Fund (NRF) was established by the Government of India in1992 with the primary objective of safeguarding the interests of workers affected by industrial restructuring, technological upgrades, or the closure of unviable units. The NRF aimed to provide a social safety net through retraining, redeployment, and compensation to ensure a smooth transition for the workforce during economic reforms. The NRF’s key functions included:
Worker Retraining and Redeployment: Offering training programs to equip workers with new skills, facilitating their re-employment in emerging sectors. Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) Support: Providing financial assistance to public sector enterprises to implement VRS for employees in cases of redundancy. Counseling Services: Assisting workers in coping with job transitions through counseling and guidance.
UPSC 1997Indian Economy · Industry
Q43. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
List-I (Commodities Exported from India)
List-II (Countries of Destination)
A. Iron ore
1. Russia
B. Leather goods
2. U.S.A
C. Tea
3. Japan
D. Cotton fabrics
4. U.K.
5. Canada
Explanation
A is correctly matched with 3: India exports a significant quantity of iron ore to Japan due to its high demand for raw materials in its steel industry. B is correctly matched with 1: Indian leather goods have a substantial market in Russia. The demand for quality leather products in Russia aligns with India’s export capabilities in this sector. C is correctly matched with 4: The United Kingdom has historically been a major importer of Indian tea owing to long-standing trade ties and the popularity of tea in British culture. D is correctly matched with 2: The United States of America is a significant market for Indian cotton fabrics, given the demand for diverse textile products.
UPSC 1996Indian Economy · Industry
Q44. Local supply of coal is not available to:
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VSL) in Bhadravati does not have local coal supply as it is located in Karnataka, far from the coal-rich regions of India. VSL relies on imported or transported coal for its operations. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
TISCO, Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) is located near coalfields of Jharia and Bokaro and has access to local coal supplies. HSL, Durgapur (West Bengal) located near Raniganj coalfields, one of the oldest coal mining areas in India. HSL, Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) is located close to Korba and other coal mines in Chhattisgarh.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
41
1999
(d) The nation’s priorities have shifted away from industrial development to rural development
42
1999
(a) To safeguard the interests of workers who may be affected by technological upgradation of industry or closure of sick units
43
1997
(b) A -3; B-1; C -4; D -2
44
1996
(b) VSL, Bhadravati
What UPSC has tested in Industry
UDAY is meant for the financial turnaround of power distribution companies.
District Mineral Foundations work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining.
West Texas Intermediate is a grade of crude oil.
Under the Corporate Social Responsibility rules, companies above a threshold must spend part of their profit on CSR.
Questions in 2025 covered the National Rail Plan, ethanol production and the oil and gas sector.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Industry?
This page covers 44 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Industry (Indian Economy), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What is UDAY?
Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana, launched in 2015, a scheme for the financial turnaround of state-owned power distribution companies (DISCOMs). States take over a large part of their debt, which lowers interest costs and helps cut losses.
What are District Mineral Foundations?
Non-profit trusts set up in mining districts under the Mines and Minerals Act to work for the interest and benefit of people and areas affected by mining. Miners pay a share of royalty into the foundation.
What is West Texas Intermediate?
A grade of crude oil, light and sweet, produced in the United States and used as a benchmark for oil pricing, along with Brent crude. Its price is often quoted in the news when oil markets move.
