Q41. Identify the odd one out among the following Indian railway gauges based on their track width:
Energy, Transportation and Communication: RAS Prelims MCQs
84 RAS Prelims MCQs on energy, transportation and communication cover the energy sources and policy, the nuclear programme, solar parks, highways, railways and logistics. Small hydro, the National Energy Policy, Bhadla Solar Park, the longest national highway, railway zones and the Dedicated Freight Corridors are asked as facts and effects.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 84 questions
Q42. What is the most appropriate reason for constructing the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) in India?
Explanation
Dedicated Freight Corridors are being constructed to segregate heavy freight trains from regular passenger traffic. This separation allows freight trains to carry heavier loads at much higher speeds, significantly improving logistics efficiency and reducing transit times. By freeing up capacity on existing tracks, the DFCs also enable better scheduling and increased speed for passenger services, benefiting the entire national railway infrastructure.
Q43. Match List I with List II:
Select the correct code:
| Railway Manufacturing Unit | Location |
|---|---|
| A. Integral Coach Factory | i. Kapurthala |
| B. Rail Coach Factory | ii. Perambur (Chennai) |
| C. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works | iii. Varanasi |
| D. Banaras Locomotive Works | iv. Chittaranjan |
Explanation
India has several major manufacturing units for railway rolling stock. The Integral Coach Factory is located in Perambur, Chennai, while the Rail Coach Factory is in Kapurthala. Electric locomotives are manufactured at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, and the Banaras Locomotive Works in Varanasi produces various locomotive types. These units are essential for maintaining and modernizing the vast fleet required for the Indian Railways.
Q44. What is the expected primary effect of the completion of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors on the logistics sector?
Explanation
The completion of Dedicated Freight Corridors will drastically reduce the transit time for goods by providing a high-speed, exclusive rail network. This increased efficiency will lower the unit cost of freight transportation, making rail more competitive compared to road transport. Such improvements are expected to revolutionize the logistics sector, helping to lower overall inflation and boost the global competitiveness of Indian products.
Q45. Consider the following statements regarding Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs):
I. The Eastern DFC spans from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal.
II. The Western DFC is being partially funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
III. The DFCs are designed to handle double-stack containers.
IV. The DFCs will allow freight trains to run at a maximum speed of 40 kmph.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Eastern DFC spans from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal.
II. The Western DFC is being partially funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
III. The DFCs are designed to handle double-stack containers.
IV. The DFCs will allow freight trains to run at a maximum speed of 40 kmph.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Eastern DFC spans from Ludhiana to Dankuni, while the Western DFC receives funding support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. These corridors are engineered to handle double-stack containers, which significantly increases freight capacity. Contrary to slow speeds, the DFCs are designed to allow freight trains to run at speeds up to one hundred kilometers per hour, greatly enhancing national transport efficiency.
Q46. Identify the incorrect statement regarding recent reforms and safety mechanisms in Indian Railways:
Explanation
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system designed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation, not imported from Germany. Recent rail reforms include merging the Railway Budget with the General Budget and introducing the Vande Bharat trainsets. Kavach is a key safety initiative aimed at achieving zero accidents by automatically applying brakes if a driver fails to react to signals.
Q47. Which of the following best defines the ‘Ro-Ro’ (Roll-on/Roll-off) service popularized by the Konkan Railway?
Explanation
The Roll-on/Roll-off service involves transporting loaded trucks directly on railway flatbed wagons over long distances. This multimodal approach saves fuel, reduces wear and tear on trucks, and decreases road congestion and pollution. Popularized by the Konkan Railway, this service is highly efficient for transporters as it provides a faster and more economical alternative to driving trucks through challenging or congested terrains.
Q48. What is the primary objective of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation?
Explanation
The UDAN scheme aims to improve regional air connectivity by making flying affordable for the common citizen through subsidized fares and infrastructure development. By reviving unserved and underserved airports, it connects smaller towns with major cities. This initiative boosts regional tourism, economic growth, and provides a faster transport alternative in remote areas where traditional road or rail travel can be time-consuming.
Q49. Consider the following statements regarding the logistics sector in India:
I. The LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) index is released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
II. High logistics costs negatively impact the global competitiveness of Indian exports.
III. Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) aim to reduce freight costs and vehicular pollution.
IV. Indian logistics are currently heavily skewed towards rail transport, which carries 70 percent of total freight.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) index is released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
II. High logistics costs negatively impact the global competitiveness of Indian exports.
III. Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) aim to reduce freight costs and vehicular pollution.
IV. Indian logistics are currently heavily skewed towards rail transport, which carries 70 percent of total freight.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The LEADS index helps monitor logistics efficiency across states, while high costs are known to hurt export competitiveness. Multimodal Logistics Parks are being developed to reduce freight costs and pollution. Currently, Indian logistics are heavily skewed towards road transport, which carries the majority of freight, rather than rail. Transitioning more freight to rail is a key objective for improving overall national efficiency.
Q50. Identify the correct pair of a major International Airport and its corresponding city:
Explanation
Major international airports in India are often named after prominent local or national leaders. The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is located in Guwahati, serving as the primary gateway to Northeast India. Other airports include Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi in Hyderabad, and Kempegowda in Bengaluru. Correctly identifying these pairs is important for understanding the national civil aviation network.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Standard Gauge |
| 42 | (b) Segregating freight from passenger traffic to increase speed and efficiency. |
| 43 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 44 | (a) Reduced transit time and unit cost for freight transportation. |
| 45 | (a) I, II and III |
| 46 | (d) The Kavach technology was entirely imported from Germany and customized for India. |
| 47 | (b) Carrying loaded trucks directly on railway flatbed wagons for transport. |
| 48 | (c) Enhancing regional connectivity to make flying affordable for everyone. |
| 49 | (b) I, II and III |
| 50 | (b) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport - Guwahati |
Key facts from Energy, Transportation and Communication
- Small hydro projects have an installed capacity of 25 MW or less; the Brahmaputra basin has the highest commercially exploitable hydropower potential.
- NITI Aayog drafted the National Energy Policy; Homi J. Bhabha conceptualised the three-stage nuclear programme.
- Coal Bed Methane is natural gas trapped within coal seams; Bhadla is one of the largest solar parks in the world.
- NH 44, from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, is the longest national highway in India.
- Indian Railways is divided into 19 zones for administration.
- The Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors reduce transit time and unit cost for freight; Krishi UDAN helps transport farm produce by air.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Energy, Transportation and Communication?
This page has 84 practice MCQs on Energy, Transportation and Communication (Indian Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which is the longest National Highway in India?
NH 44, which runs from Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. It covers several States, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and links the north and south of the country.
How many zones does Indian Railways have?
19 zones for administrative convenience, each headed by a General Manager. The Kolkata Metro is counted as a zone, and each zone is further divided into divisions that run the day-to-day work of the railways.
What is Coal Bed Methane?
Natural gas trapped within coal seams. It can be extracted by drilling into the coal bed, and it is a source of cleaner energy that India is developing in its coal-bearing regions.