The Delhi Metro is the largest metro system in India in terms of route length, number of stations, and daily ridership. It connects the National Capital Region (NCR) extensively and has multiple lines with modern infrastructure. Kolkata has an older metro system but is smaller in scale, Kanpur is developing a metro, and Port Blair has no metro system

National Highways (NHs) are the primary roads in India, connecting major cities, ports, state capitals, and border areas. They facilitate long-distance travel, trade, and strategic movement. These roads are maintained by the Central Government. State Highways connect cities within a state, District Roads link towns within a district, and Village Roads serve rural areas. Only National Highways cover the entire length and breadth of the country and have strategic and military significance.

An Origin-Destination (O-D) study analyzes travel patterns by identifying where trips start (origin) and end (destination) within a city or area. It helps in urban transport planning, traffic management, and infrastructure design. The other options—Reach Destination, Destination Focus, Reach Focus—are not standard terms used in transport planning studies

Green buildings primarily provide environmental benefits (reduced resource use, lower emissions), economic benefits (energy and water savings), and health benefits (better indoor air quality, comfort). While they may indirectly influence social aspects, social benefit is not a direct or primary benefit of green buildings. Therefore, among the given options, social benefit does not specifically define the advantages of green building.

Traffic volume surveys measure the number and type of vehicles on a road over a period. Photographic methods involve using cameras to capture traffic flow, which is later analyzed for counts and patterns. This is an accurate and widely used method. The other options—biometric, sigma, and biological methods—are unrelated to traffic surveys and do not provide traffic volume data.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning concept that promotes high-density, mixed-use development near public transport hubs like metro stations or bus terminals. The goal is to reduce reliance on private vehicles,

A green building is designed to efficiently use natural resources like sunlight, air, water, and materials to minimize environmental impact. It emphasizes eco-friendly construction, low energy use, water conservation, and waste reduction while ensuring a healthy and comfortable environment for occupants. Unlike efficient, affordable, or smart buildings, the green building concept specifically focuses on sustainability and environmental balance

An ideal city road must ensure safe, smooth, and efficient traffic flow. This requires sufficient width, a smooth surface, and a well-planned alignment. Roads should avoid sharp turns and must have properly designed junctions to minimize accidents and congestion. Option (D) contradicts these principles, as sharp turns and poorly designed junctions create hazards and disrupt traffic movement.

The Incident Response System (IRS) is the framework practiced in India to manage disasters effectively. It ensures a standardized command, control, and coordination structure, enabling multiple agencies to work together during emergencies. IRS assigns clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels for efficient disaster response. The other options—Incident Resonating System, Indirect Response System, and Incentive Response System—are incorrect and not recognized in disaster management.

A traffic island is a raised or marked area at a road junction where vehicles are not allowed to move. It helps channelize traffic, separate opposing flows, and provide safety zones for pedestrians. Roundabouts guide circular traffic flow, kerbs are raised edges of pavements, and pedestrian traffic refers to people walking. Thus, only a traffic island defines the restricted space at junctions.

Mechanisms like Land Acquisition, Land Reservation, and Town Planning (TP) Schemes are tools used to assemble or develop land for urban projects, infrastructure, and planned growth. Urban Governance, however, refers to the systems and processes of managing cities—policy-making, administration, and service delivery—rather than directly assembling or developing land

The urban heat island (UHI) effect refers to higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding rural areas. Its intensity depends on-sky condition (clear skies increase heat retention), time of day (nighttime shows stronger UHI), and wind conditions (strong winds reduce UHI). Soil condition, however, has minimal influence in urbanized areas, since most surfaces are covered by concrete, asphalt, and buildings.

Mitigation refers to steps taken to reduce the risk, impact, or effects of disasters before they occur. Examples include building flood defenses, enforcing earthquake-resistant construction codes, and preserving wetlands for flood control. It focuses on long-term risk reduction rather than emergency response. The other options—maximization, modification, and migration—do not specifically relate to disaster risk management.

Resilient cities are urban areas that can withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from challenges such as climate change, rapid population growth, and globalization. They ensure continuity of habitation, economic production, and cultural development despite shocks or stresses. The other options—restricting, restructuring, and resonating cities—do not represent a recognized urban planning concept in this context.

West Bengal, particularly its southern and coastal regions, falls under the hot-humid climatic zone as per India’s climatic classification. This zone is characterized by high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and high humidity, especially during the monsoon season. While northern Bengal has hilly areas (Darjeeling), the majority of the state’s climate is hot-humid, not dry or arid.

The National Disaster Management Guidelines (NDMA) in India focus on natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and tsunamis, providing strategies for preparedness, mitigation, and response. Riot management, however, is not a natural hazard; it falls under law and order issues, managed by the police and internal security agencies. Hence, it is not covered under NDMA guidelines.

Property tax rebates are commonly offered as incentives for:

• Solar power installations (A)
• Green building features (C)
• Rainwater harvesting systems (D)
• Hydraulic parking facilities (B) are generally considered infrastructure upgrades, not a sustainability measure, so rebates are not typically offered.

GRIHA is India’s own national rating system for green buildings, developed by TERI and endorsed by the Government of India. It assesses a building’s environmental performance over its life cycle, focusing on energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction, and sustainable materials. Unlike LEED, which is international, GRIHA is tailored to India’s climatic and developmental context

India has several environment-focused policies such as the National Environment Policy, 2006, the National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which provide legal and strategic frameworks for environmental protection. The National Housing Scheme, 2015 (PMAY), however, is aimed at providing affordable housing to urban and rural poor, not environmental protection.

In town planning, when new areas are identified for development, they are divided into smaller units of about 100–200 hectares, known as Town Planning Schemes (TPS). A TPS includes detailed planning for land use, roads, open spaces, amenities, and services to ensure systematic urban growth. This method prevents haphazard expansion and provides infrastructure in advance. The other options—Proposal, Method, and Demand—are not technical terms used for this process.

Measures to prevent slum formation include:

• Strict rules and regulations (A)
• Availability of subsidized/affordable housing (C)
• Effective social education and awareness (D)

Depriving people of social education (B) would promote slum formation, not prevent it.

Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) refers to an integrated network of natural and semi-natural systems, such as:

• Water bodies (blue)
• Parks, green spaces, wetlands (green)

It helps cities:

• Manage floods and stormwater
• Improve air quality and urban climate
• Connect people with nature while supporting biodiversity.

Under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, areas around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were designated as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) to:

• Act as buffers or shock absorbers
• Minimize negative impacts of human activities on protected areas
• Preserve biodiversity and ecological balance

According to Lewis Mumford’s city classification, a metropolis is a large, densely populated city with significant economic, political, and cultural importance.

• Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and London fit this category.
• Jaisalmer is a small historic town and does not qualify as a metropolis.

The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the Dr. Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011), was constituted to:

• Identify eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats.
• Recommend measures to conserve biodiversity and regulate development in these fragile regions.

Lavasa, near Pune, Maharashtra, is India’s first private planned hill city, developed as a modern urban township with integrated residential, commercial, and recreational facilities.

A satellite town is a smaller town or urban area that develops away from the main city (parent city) but is economically and socially connected to it.

Examples: Faridabad, Gurgaon, Noida near Delhi.

A Green Belt is an open strip of land around a town or city intended to:

• Limit urban sprawl
• Provide recreational spaces
• Preserve the environment and natural landscapes

NHP refers to the National Housing Policy, which aims to:

• Provide affordable housing to all sections of society.
• Promote slum-free cities.
• Encourage planned urban development and sustainable housing solutions.

Requirements of a new town typically include:

• Recreation centers (A)
• Effective road network (C)
• Parks & playgrounds (D)

Climatic conditions (B) are not a requirement; they are a natural factor, not a planned feature of a new town.;5

Set-back refers to the minimum distance a building must be set back from the street, road, or boundary. The land within the set-back still belongs to the property owner, though its use may be restricted by building regulations for safety, light, ventilation, and aesthetics.

Dharavi, located in Mumbai, is Asia’s largest slum, known for its high population density and small-scale industries like leather, textiles, and recycling.

Causes of slums typically include:

• Industrialization → rapid migration to cities (A)
• Improper use of land → unplanned settlements (C)
• Lack of zoning → chaotic development (D)

Hygiene maintenance (B) is not a cause; in fact, poor hygiene is a consequence of slums.

Slums typically exhibit:

• Social isolation (B)
• Overcrowding (C)
• Fire hazards (D)
• Poor housing, inadequate water supply, and poor sanitation, so good sanitation management is not a characteristic.

According to URDPFI (Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation) Guidelines, a Sector Plan should be reviewed at least once every 5 years to ensure it remains relevant and accommodates changing urban needs.

Social infrastructure refers to facilities that improve the quality of life and human well-being, such as:

• Education → schools, colleges, universities
• Healthcare → hospitals, clinics
• Entertainment & recreation → parks, theaters, sports facilities

This contrasts with physical infrastructure (roads, water supply) and economic infrastructure (markets, banks).

Local authorities have powers to:

• Approve plans and designs of proposed buildings (A & B)
• Regulate land use and prohibit undesirable uses (D)

But acquisition of privately owned land is not their power; land acquisition is generally done by the state government under relevant laws.

Special Area Planning focuses on areas requiring unique attention within a city, such as:

• Heritage and conservation zones
• Eco-sensitive areas
• Flood-prone or environmentally critical zones

It ensures preservation and regulated development in these areas.

Physical infrastructure refers to the basic facilities and services necessary for the functioning of a city, including:

• Mobility (roads, public transport)
• Water supply
• Solid waste management
• Sewage systems, electricity, drainage, etc.
• Social infrastructure → schools, hospitals, community centers.
• Economic infrastructure → markets, banks, industrial zones.
• Institutional infrastructure → government offices, administrative buildings.

Botanical parks/gardens are primarily established for the study, conservation, and display of plant specimens — including rare, medicinal, or exotic species.

Parks are generally classified:

• According to size → e.g., neighborhood parks, city parks, regional parks.
• According to character → ornamental, natural, themed, etc.
• According to purpose → recreational, ecological, cultural, etc.

But they are not classified according to climate.

For preparing a Development Plan of a town, planners need:

• Environment of site (A)
• Transport facilities (C)
• Land use pattern (D)

But the names of private landowners (B) are not relevant at the planning stage — only the land use and ownership categories matter, not individual names.

A Landuse Plan of a town/city shows the distribution of different zones, such as:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Public/semi-public
• Educational
• Open/green spaces
• Water bodies & transport networks

It’s a key part of urban development planning.

A Special Purpose Plan is prepared for special areas or specific objectives, such as:

• Industrial estates
• Tourism zones
• Heritage zones
• Investment regions

These plans fall under Specific and Investment Planning, not the broader Development or Regional Plans.

Regional Planning deals with the allocation and development of large areas such as: Recreational areas, Agricultural regions, Industrial regions but building services — like water supply, electricity, sanitation within individual buildings — are part of urban/local planning, not regional planning.

A Development Plan is prepared for: The improvement and redevelopment of an existing city, or the planned growth of a new town. It lays out proposals for land use, transport, housing, infrastructure, open spaces, and public amenities.

Regional Planning focuses on the balanced distribution of:

• Population & industries
• Transport facilities
• Rural & urban services

It looks at development beyond a single city, covering a region (which may include multiple towns, rural areas, and surrounding resources).

Zoning in urban planning generally covers:

• Use Zoning → residential, commercial, industrial, etc.
• Density Zoning → limits on population density or built-up area.
• Height Zoning → restrictions on building heights.

But Service Zoning is not a recognized aspect of zoning.

A Cul-de-sac is a narrow street or approach road that ends in a dead-end, often with a turning space at the end. Common in residential layouts for reducing through traffic and increasing safety.

Neighbourhood planning aims to improve residents' quality of life. Its core importance lies in creating self-contained, socially balanced units that foster community spirit, provide essential amenities, and enhance livability. The option stating it "deteriorates the lifestyle" is incorrect and contrary to its fundamental purpose.

The National Capital Region (NCR) is a designated planning region in India centered around Delhi. It includes adjoining districts from neighboring states (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan) to manage development, infrastructure, and growth in a coordinated manner.

A Development Plan is a statutory document that serves as a general plan for the future layout of a city. It guides the planned growth and development of urban areas.

A party plot is a facility for social gatherings and events. Zoning regulations typically classify such community-oriented amenities that serve local residents within the Residential Zone to ensure convenient access and maintain neighborhood character.

Sir Ebenezer Howard introduced the Garden City concept in his 1898 book "To-Morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform." It was a utopian vision for self-contained, green towns surrounded by agricultural belts, designed to combine the benefits of city and country living.

An organic street system develops naturally over time without a formal, geometric plan. It features irregular, winding lanes that follow historical paths, topography, or property lines, resulting in the unplanned, microscope slide-like pattern described. This contrasts with the ordered layouts of rectangular, radial, or concentric systems.

Regional planning deals with a specific territory or region, such as a metropolitan area or a group of villages and towns. It coordinates development, infrastructure, and resources across multiple local jurisdictions within this larger, interconnected area, typically spanning dozens of kilometers.

Harappa is a major urban center of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE). It is renowned for its advanced and meticulously planned layout, which included a gridiron street system, sophisticated drainage, and organized residential blocks, making it a prime example of ancient town planning. The other options are modern planned developments.

Scaffolding is a temporary framework erected alongside a building to provide a safe working platform for workers at height and a place to store tools and materials. It is essential for construction, maintenance, and repair work.

Le Corbusier analogized Chandigarh’s plan to a human body. The Capitol Complex (head), city center (heart), parklands (lungs), network of roads (circulatory system), and industrial areas (limbs) each represent a biological function, creating an organized, organic city structure.

Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur was planned on a strict grid iron pattern. This design featured wide, straight streets intersecting at right angles, dividing the city into uniform rectangular blocks (chowkris), which was highly advanced for its time.

Pitch is the perceptual quality of a sound that is primarily determined by its frequency. Frequency is the scientific measure of the number of complete vibration cycles (oscillations) a sound wave makes per unit of time, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher frequency results in a higher pitch.

The soil's bearing capacity is a critical physical characteristic evaluated during site selection. Good soil with high bearing capacity ensures stable and economical foundations, directly influencing the suitability and cost-effectiveness of a location for construction.

In architectural terms, a "soffit" refers to the underside of any architectural element, such as an arch, balcony, or, in this case, a flight of stairs. It is the exposed surface beneath the staircase.

Ventilation functions to remove stale, polluted indoor air, which includes CO2 and toxic gases, and replace it with fresh outdoor air. Its purpose is to expel these harmful elements, not to drive them into a building. The other options are all key functions of effective ventilation.

The Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) is responsible for preparing a draft development plan (Master Plan), zoning regulations, and approving spatial plans for the metropolitan area. The approval of green building certifications, however, is a specialized function typically handled by dedicated environmental or development authorities, not the broad, strategic MPC.

The NUTP (2006) was launched by the Government of India with the objective to:

• Provide safe, affordable, quick, comfortable, reliable, and sustainable mobility.
• Ensure access to jobs, education, recreation, and other needs in urban areas.
• Promote public transport and non-motorized transport over private vehicles.

The mayor is the elected ceremonial and titular head of the Municipal Corporation, presiding over its meetings and representing the city. While the Municipal Commissioner is the chief executive authority appointed by the state government, the Corporation itself is politically headed by the mayor.

Ribbon development occurs when a town grows linearly along major roads or highways, with settlements, shops, and industries lined up on both sides of the road.

Enacted in 1986, after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984), this Act empowers the Central Government to:

• Take measures to protect and improve environmental quality.
• Control and reduce pollution from various sources.

Prohibit/restrict operations of industries on environmental grounds.

As per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:

• Gram Sabha = A body consisting of all persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the area of a Panchayat at the village level.

It is the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system, ensuring direct participation of people in local governance.

This Act was enacted to:

• Protect the livelihood rights of street vendors.
• Provide social security.
• Regulate street vending activities in urban areas.
• Prevent harassment and eviction without due process.

HUDCO is a Government of India public sector company, established in 1970, that provides long-term finance for housing and urban development projects.

In a PPP model, the government retains responsibility for ensuring service delivery, but the private sector participates in financing, building, and/or operating the service or infrastructure.

This way, risks, investments, and responsibilities are shared.

RERA Act, 2016 was enacted to regulate the real estate sector in India, increase transparency, protect homebuyers, and ensure accountability of builders and developers.

In the radio-centric growth pattern, the city expands outward in circular rings from a central core (often the CBD or historical centre). Roads radiate like spokes of a wheel, and development occurs in concentric circles.

Faridabad (like Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad) developed as a satellite town of Delhi — planned to reduce pressure on the main city by shifting population, industries, and services to nearby urban centres while maintaining connectivity.

A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared before project implementation, so it includes:

• Project Cost (A)
• Project Phasing (C)
• Project Financial Structuring (D)

But Project Progress (B) is reported after implementation, so it is not part of a DPR

Launched in 2005, JNNURM was the Government of India’s flagship urban development programme aimed at improving urban infrastructure and basic services in cities, especially for the urban poor. UIG (Urban Infrastructure and Governance) was one of the sub-missions under JNNURM

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (which deals with municipalities/urban local bodies) mandates the constitution of a State Finance Commission (SFC) every five years by the Governor of a state to review the financial position of municipalities and make recommendations regarding the distribution of financial resources.

Sedimentation is the process where heavier particles like dirt and sand settle to the bottom of a tank due to gravity, allowing for their removal.

Chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant in water purification worldwide because it is effective at killing a wide range of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to manage in water treatment processes.

Perched aquifers generally occur above the water table. They are formed when a layer of impermeable or relatively impermeable material (like an aquiclude or aquitard) sits above the main water table but below the surface, creating a localized zone of saturation.

Per capita demand of water is calculated in litres per person per day. "Per capita" means "per person", and "demand of water" is measured in litres, so the correct unit is litres per person per day (lpcd).

Effluent refers to wastewater discharged from industrial facilities, often containing chemicals and other pollutants, whereas sewage is typically generated from household waste like wastewater from toilets, sinks, and washing machines.

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined and processed into a puffy, lightweight granule mixed with soil to improve aeration and drainage.

The operational guidelines on Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), January 2017, by the erstwhile Ministry of
Housing &Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, defines EWS
households as those having an annual income up to 3,00,000 Indian Rupees and
defines EWS house as “An all-weather single unit or a unit in a multistoried super
structure having carpet area of up to 30 sq. m. with adequate basic civic services
and infrastructure services like toilet, water, electricity etc.”

Superplasticizers work by improving the flowability of concrete without increasing the water content, allowing for a lower water-cement ratio which results in stronger concrete.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas declared around protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to regulate activities that could harm their delicate ecosystems.

A "turnkey project" is a public sector procurement model where a private contractor designs, builds, and delivers a completed facility for a fixed price to the government, essentially handing over a ready-to-use project like a "key" to a new house.

Sight distance is crucial in road design because it refers to the visible distance ahead a driver needs to safely stop or react to potential hazards like oncoming traffic or obstacles. This is particularly important at intersections where vehicles from multiple roads converge

: After independence, the first significant attempt at rural development planning in India was through the Community Development Program (CDP), which was launched in the early 1950s. The CDP aimed to engage with rural communities at the grassroots level through institutions like panchayats, to promote their participation in the development process.

: "The Population Bomb" was written by biologist Paul Ehrlich. The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich (1968) warns of impending global crises due to overpopulation, specifically predicting mass starvation, environmental degradation, resource shortages, and societal upheaval. The book argued the Earth could not sustain a rapidly growing human population, advocates for urgent population control measures, and sparked widespread public discussion on the topic, though many of its specific predictions did not materialize

The Alonso Model, developed by William Alonso, is a spatial economic model that explains how land use and land value patterns develop in urban areas based on the concept of commuting costs and accessibility to the central business district.

Sight distance is crucial in road design because it refers to the visible distance ahead a driver needs to safely stop or react to potential hazards like oncoming traffic or obstacles. This is particularly important at intersections where vehicles from multiple roads converge.

: It is a town planning theory that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the community (Folk), the economic activities (Work), and the physical environment (Place) in creating a sustainable and harmonious region. The theory is also called as The Geddesian Triad.

A well-seasoned timber typically has a moisture content between 10 and 12%.

The crushing strength of a good building stone should be more than 100 MPa (MegaPascals). This minimum strength is a widely accepted standard for stones used in important structural applications, such as foundations and load-bearing walls

: Hooke's law essentially says that within the elastic limit of a material, the amount of stress applied is directly proportional to the amount of strain produced, meaning as stress increases, strain increases proportionally.

1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 square meters = 100m × 100m.

FAR and FSI are essentially the same term, referring to the ratio of a building's total floor area to the land area on which it is built

In the DBFO (Design-Build-Finance-Operate) model, a private sector entity is responsible for:

• Designing the project
• Building the infrastructure
• Financing the entire or majority cost
• Operating and maintaining the facility over a concession period

The public sector typically pays the private partner based on performance or allows them to recover costs via direct user fees, such as tolls or service charges. This model is commonly used in public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure projects

A Perspective Plan is a long-term strategic plan (typically 20–30 years) that outlines the vision, goals, and broad policies for the spatial and economic development of a region or state. It may include guiding frameworks such as:

• State Urbanization Policy
• State Land Utilization Policy

These help shape future development in a coordinated and sustainable manner

Threshold theory suggests that a city's growth is constrained by certain conditions like the availability of land suitable for development, the cost of infrastructure, and the presence of necessary facilities.

Primary Survey involves the direct collection of original data from the field using methods like:

• Self-surveys (questionnaires filled out by respondents)
• Interviews (face-to-face or telephonic interactions)
• Direct inspections (on-site observations and measurements)

These techniques are essential for gathering first-hand, up-to-date, and specific information needed for planning and analysis.

Laurie Baker, an English architect who settled in India, made a significant contribution to rural and low-cost housing. He was known for using local materials, cost-effective construction techniques, and climate-responsive design. His work emphasized simplicity, sustainability, and aesthetic value, making quality housing accessible to the poor and marginalized

One of the options have been changed in this question to accommodate the correct answer.

A Hazardous Building is defined as a building or part thereof used for storage, handling, or processing of dangerous substances like toxic chemicals, gases, flammable materials, or substances that may produce explosions, flames, fumes, or spontaneous ignition. Such buildings require strict safety regulations and special construction standards to prevent accidents.

For Arterial Roads, the typical Right of Way (ROW) ranges from 50 to 80 meters, and the design speed is usually 50 km/hr. Arterial roads are designed to carry large volumes of traffic at higher speeds, and therefore require a larger ROW to accommodate multiple lanes and associated infrastructure like sidewalks and medians. The design speed is the speed used to determine the geometric design features of the road.

Mohenjo-daro, a city of the Indus Valley Civilization, is notable for its well-planned grid layout with streets intersecting perpendicularly.

Grid-Iron plan: This refers to a city layout where streets intersect at right angles, forming a grid pattern like a chessboard. This is the established pattern for Mohenjo-daro.

Ring and Radial plan: This plan involves streets radiating out from a central point like spokes on a wheel. This is not the layout of Mohenjo-daro.

Zig-zag pattern: This describes a winding, irregular pattern of streets, which is not characteristic of Mohenjo-daro.

Chandigarh was designed by Le Corbusier using the super-block principle, where the city is divided into self-contained sectors. Each sector is designed as a neighborhood unit with its own schools, shops, and open spaces, minimizing through traffic and promoting walkability and organized development.

1. While river banks, coastal areas, plains, and hilly terrains have historically contributed to the origin and growth of towns due to their strategic, commercial, or defence-related advantages, dense forest areas are generally not favourable for early urban settlement because of:

• Difficult access and transportation
• Risk of wildlife and diseases
• Limited open space for infrastructure
• Harsh living conditions

Though forests provide natural resources, they are not typically associated with the initial formation of towns.

"Smart Living" refers to the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into homes, enabling devices to communicate and automate functions, leading to increased efficiency and convenience.

Happy living: While "happy living" might describe a goal of smart living, it's not the specific term for the trend of built-in smart devices in homes.

Techno living: "Techno living" is a more general term encompassing the use of advanced technology in everyday life, not specifically focused on connected home devices

AI is being used in urban governance to analyze large datasets to predict potential threats, identify safety issues, and optimize resource allocation, all while aiming to minimize intrusion on individual privacy by using sophisticated data analysis techniques and ensuring transparency in its application.

Research and Intelligence: While research and intelligence are important components of urban governance, they are not the specific technology being leveraged to ensure safety and security with a focus on privacy concerns.

Smart surveillance: This term directly implies a focus on extensive monitoring, which can raise significant privacy concerns.

Intelligent monitoring: Although "intelligent" suggests advanced technology, it lacks the specific reference to AI's ability to process complex data and make informed decisions based on it.

Spatial databases, also known as geodatabases, are databases designed to store, query, and manipulate geographic or spatial data. They support spatial features like points, lines, and polygons, and allow spatial queries and analysis. Geodatabase is the term widely used in GIS platforms such as ArcGIS. It can store both spatial (location-based) and attribute (descriptive) data.

This involves acquiring spatial data from various sources, such as surveys, remote sensing, and existing digital data.

Data management: This includes storing data in a structured database, managing access to it, and ensuring its quality and accuracy.

Data manipulation and analysis: This involves performing spatial operations like selecting features, calculating distances, creating buffers, and conducting spatial analysis.

Data presentation: This involves creating visually appealing maps and charts to communicate spatial information effectively.

Walkability refers to how friendly and accessible an area is for walking. It has become a key trend in town planning due to:

• Increasing urbanisation
• Rising costs of living
• Pressure on urban infrastructure
• Growing emphasis on health, fitness, and sustainability

This has led to increased demand for footpaths, pedestrian-friendly streets, mixed land use, and public open spaces.

The software used for developing vehicle routes is GIS (Geographic Information System). GIS allows users to overlay various spatial data layers like roads, traffic patterns, elevation, and points of interest to create optimal vehicle routes considering factors like distance, time, and road conditions.

This refers to the process of converting analog data (like a paper map) into digital data by tracing features onto a computer screen.

Orthorectified imagery:

This is a digitally processed image where distortions caused by relief displacement (due to uneven terrain) are removed, resulting in a geographically accurate image that can be overlaid with other spatial data.

Demodulation: This is a process in telecommunications that removes the modulation from a signal to retrieve the original information. It is not related to creating digital geographic data.

Generation of economic activity – by creating hubs for industrial and commercial development.

Promotion of exports of goods and services – SEZs are export-oriented zones designed to increase foreign exchange earnings.

Attracting investment from foreign and domestic sources – SEZs offer fiscal incentives and business-friendly environments to attract both FDI and domestic investments.

The planning of Gandhinagar and Chandigarh is based on a rectangular grid pattern. Both cities were designed with a network of straight, intersecting roads forming a grid, which allows for efficient planning and development.

The master plan of Gandhinagar was prepared by H.K. Mewada and Prakash Apte. They were both Indian town planners who had previously worked with Le Corbusier on the Chandigarh project. While Gandhinagar's planning was influenced by Le Corbusier's work, the master plan itself was primarily the work of Mewada and Apte.

The acronym URDPFI refers to the guidelines and framework developed for planning and implementing urban and regional development strategies. These guidelines cover various aspects of urban and regional planning, including spatial development, infrastructure, transportation, and land use management. The guidelines also emphasize public participation, flexibility, and alignment of sectoral plans

As a project progresses, more information becomes available about the project and its potential risks. This allows the project team to identify and mitigate risks, leading to a decrease in overall risk

For setting up a separate Finance Commission for the Municipalities
Explanation  While Part IX-A deals with Municipalities, it does not mandate the establishment of a separate Finance Commission specifically for them; instead, the existing State Finance Commission is responsible for reviewing the financial position of both Panchayats and Municipalities and making recommendations regarding grants-in-aid to them.

Residential and Commercial:

RERA applies to both residential and commercial projects, meaning apartments, buildings, and plots intended for sale or lease under this regulation.

Plotted development: Even if a project is just selling plots of land, it needs to be registered under RERA if the total land area developed exceeds 500 square meters.

Land under development more than 500 SQFT or 8 units: This is a key criterion for RERA registration, regardless of the project type. If a project involves developing more than 500 square meters of land or constructing more than eight apartments, it must be registered with RERA.

The Chairperson of a Metropolitan Planning Committee forwards the development plan to the State Government. According to the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, Metropolitan Planning Committees are responsible for preparing development plans for metropolitan areas. These committees are required to forward the draft plan to the State Government for further action.

PERT stands for "Program Evaluation and Review Technique". It's a project management tool that helps visualize and manage complex projects by assessing each task and its relationship to others within the timeline. "Review" aligns with the concept of evaluating and assessing the progress of a project throughout its development.

Disaster Management encompasses mitigation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.

Mitigation: This involves actions taken to reduce the impact of disasters, such as building codes, land-use planning, and early warning systems.

Reconstruction: This refers to rebuilding infrastructure and homes after a disaster has occurred.

Rehabilitation: This focuses on restoring the social and economic well-being of communities affected by a disaster.

"Blowout" is not a natural disaster; it is typically a man-made event, usually referring to a sudden release of pressure from an oil or gas well, often caused by faulty equipment or drilling errors.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for disaster management in India, and the NDMA is the apex body for disaster management. The NDMA works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs

In a Municipality, the Chairman (or President) is elected by the elected ward members (councillors) from among themselves. Citizens directly elect the ward members, but the Chairman is chosen indirectly by these members.

The Ministry of Urban Development (now MoHUA) accepted the offer from Bloomberg Philanthropies to act as the Knowledge Partner for conducting the "Cities Challenge" competition. This competition was used to select cities for financing under the Smart Cities Mission. Under this partnership, Bloomberg Philanthropies was tasked with designing the selection process, conducting capacity-building for urban local bodies, and leading communication and branding strategies.

Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats are all forms of local government specifically designed for urban areas. While there are other forms of local government for rural areas, like the Panchayati Raj system, the three mentioned in the question are solely for urban areas.

Diu became the first Union Territory in India to achieve 100% solar power generation, meaning it meets all of its daytime electricity needs through solar energy.

These amendments, commonly known as the Panchayati Raj amendments, were introduced to establish and empower local self-government bodies in rural (73rd) and urban (74th) areas across India.

A sanitary system encompasses the infrastructure and practices designed to safely collect, transport, treat, and dispose of human waste, preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.

Although the deadline has since been extended to December 31, 2025 for completion of houses sanctioned up to March 31, 2022, the core mission timeline remains anchored to 2022.

The mission initially focused on 63 cities, encompassing all cities with a population of over one million, as well as all capital towns in the Northeastern region. This included 7 cities with a population of 4 million or more, 28 cities with a population between 1 and 4 million, and 28 selected cities of religious, historical, or tourist importance

While cities with 1 lakh+ population do comprise ~73% of India’s urban population, the mission does not cover all 500+ such cities. The Government of India approved ₹48,000 crore in 2015 for the mission’s initial five-year phase (2015–2020). Each selected city received ₹500 crore (₹100 crore/year) in central funding, matched by states/ULBs.

According to the official answer key, ‘principal component Analysis’ is correct. But it can be argued that ‘Complex Index’ should be the correct answer. The reason is given below.

Principal Component Analysis is a statistical technique used mainly for data reduction and identifying patterns in large datasets. It transforms correlated variables into a set of uncorrelated variables (principal components). While it can theoretically be used to study disparities, it is not the standard or historically used method in India for measuring regional imbalances. The Composite Index method, on the other hand, has been explicitly used by Indian committees and commissions (e.g., Planning Commission, Dholakia Committee, Bawa & Raizada) to measure and compare the level of development of different states/regions. It combines indicators like per capita income, literacy, industrial output, etc., into a single index. So, PCA is more of an advanced statistical tool, but the recognized and applied method for regional disparities in India is the Composite Index method.

Inclusive growth considers not just economic development but also the well-being of the entire population, encompassing factors like access to basic amenities (healthcare, education, sanitation) and social development indicators such as poverty levels, literacy rates, and gender equality.

A metropolitan area is defined as a large urban region that includes a main city and the smaller towns and suburbs that are connected to it economically and socially.

Increase the levels of overall development of the villages through self-help
Explanation:  The Community Development Programme (1952) was launched to achieve holistic rural development by mobilizing people to use local resources and work collectively. The focus was on self-help and community participation in improving agriculture, infrastructure, health, and education in villages.

The ozone layer, which is crucial for protecting life from harmful UV radiation from the sun, is primarily located within the stratosphere.

Benton Mackaye
Explanation:  Laying the philosophical foundation for regional planning, emphasizing the relationship between human settlements, natural resources, and land use. His ideas blended ecology, economy, and social planning, influencing modern regional and environmental planning.

Per capita income is the most widely used direct economic indicator of regional or national development. It reflects the average income earned per person in a region, showing the standard of living and economic well-being.

The 3R principle is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Reduce:This is the most important step, as it means minimizing the amount of waste generated in the first place by consuming less and choosing products with less packaging.
• Reuse:Finding new uses for old items instead of discarding them.

Recycle: Processing used materials to create new products, which is the last step in the waste hierarchy after reducing and reusing.

In-situ slum upgradation
Explanation: In-situ Slum Upgradation involves:

• Improving existing housing structures
• Providing essential infrastructure and services (water, sanitation, roads, electricity)

Without displacing the residents from their current location.

Slum resettlement
Explanation: Slum Resettlement refers to:

• Relocating slum dwellers from areas that are unfit for habitation (e.g., near railway tracks, flood-prone zones, hazardous sites),
• And providing them with alternative housing at a safer, more viable location.

This is typically done when in-situ solutions are not feasible.

A census house, in the context of the Indian Census, is a building or part of a building that is recognized as a separate unit due to having its own independent entrance from the road, a common courtyard, or a staircase. It can be either occupied or vacant and used for residential, non-residential, or both purposes

According to the Census of India and standard demographic definitions, a household is:

"A group of persons who normally live together and take their meals from a common kitchen unless the exigencies of work prevent any of them from doing so."

• This definition includes:
  • Families
  • Shared living arrangements (as long as meals are shared)

So, the correct term is: Household

A growth factor model is a method used in transportation planning to predict how the number of trips between different zones will change over time. It does this by considering the relative growth rates of the origin and destination zones.

Inadequate housing

Explanation Rapid urbanization leads to a sudden increase in population in cities.

• This puts tremendous pressure on infrastructure, especially housing, resulting in:
  • Shortages
  • Overcrowding

Slums and informal settlements

Other options like cars, stock exchange, or internet are not primary or direct impacts of urbanization.
The most critical and well-documented impact is inadequate housing.

Basic services
Explanation Housing is more than just a physical shelter (roof and walls).

• It includes access to basic services such as:
  • Water supply
  • Sanitation
  • Electricity
  • Waste disposal
  • Road access

This broader definition ensures that housing meets both physical and functional needs for decent living.
So, the complete definition is: Housing = Shelter + Basic Services

A housing problem arises when there is a gap between:

• The number of housing units available (supply)
• And the number of households needing housing (demand)

This leads to issues like:

• Shortage of affordable homes
• Overcrowding
• Growth of slums

Homelessness

Hence, the correct conceptualization is:
Mismatch between housing supply and demand.

Traffic assignment refers to the process of determining how traffic is distributed across a network, meaning which routes travelers will choose to get from their origin to their destination based on factors like travel time, distance, and cost

Aerial photography: Aerial photographs provide detailed images of the land surface from an aircraft, offering valuable information about topography, land features, and land cover.

Satellite imagery: Satellite images captured from space provide a broader perspective of the Earth's surface, offering high-resolution imagery that can be used to depict topography, elevation changes, and various geographical features.

Topographical maps: Traditional topographic maps utilize contour lines to represent elevation changes, providing crucial data for creating a digital topographic database.

According to Lewis Mumford, a renowned urban historian and sociologist, Necropolis represents the final and worst stage in the life cycle of a town:

• It is marked by decline, decay, and near-abandonment.
• People migrate away due to war, disease, famine, or economic collapse.
• The town becomes a "city of the dead" — the literal meaning of Necropolis.

In this stage, the town may revive later, but it essentially loses its vitality during this phase.

A Cantonment refers to a township established for a defense or military establishment. It typically includes:

• Residential areas for military personnel,
• Military training grounds,
• Support infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and markets.

In India, Cantonment Boards are civic bodies established under the Cantonments Act, 2006, and are administered by the Ministry of Defence.