40 General Knowledge (GK) questions on current affairs related to housing and urban development:

 40 General Knowledge (GK) questions on current affairs related to housing and urban development:

1–10: Government Schemes and Policies

1. Q: What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)?

   • A: To provide affordable housing to all by 2022, with a focus on the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low-Income Group (LIG), and Middle-Income Group (MIG).

2. Q: What is the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) under PMAY?

   • A: It provides interest subsidies on home loans to beneficiaries for the purchase or construction of houses.

3. Q: How does the Smart Cities Mission contribute to urban development in India?

   • A: It promotes sustainable and inclusive development through improved infrastructure, smart technologies, and better services in selected cities.

4. Q: What is the key focus of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)?

   • A: Providing basic infrastructure services like water supply, sewage, and urban transport in cities.

5. Q: Which program was launched by the Government of India to promote affordable rental housing for migrants?

   • A: Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) under PMAY-U (Urban).

6. Q: What is the National Urban Housing Fund (NUHF)?

   • A: A fund established to provide financial assistance for affordable housing and urban development under PMAY.

7. Q: Which ministry in India is responsible for implementing urban housing policies?

   • A: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

8. Q: What is the main goal of the Rajiv Awas Yojana?

   • A: To create slum-free cities by providing affordable housing and preventing the growth of new slums.

9. Q: Which scheme aims to improve the quality of life in 100 smart cities through better planning and infrastructure?

   • A: The Smart Cities Mission.

10. Q: What is the Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)?

    • A: A program launched to offer internship opportunities in urban local bodies (ULBs) and smart cities to graduates.

11–20: Urban Infrastructure and Housing Finance

11. Q: What does the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) primarily focus on?

    • A: Financing housing and urban development projects, especially for low-income groups.

12. Q: How is RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) impacting the housing sector in India?

    • A: By regulating real estate transactions and ensuring transparency and accountability in the housing sector.

13. Q: What is the significance of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban in terms of housing?

    • A: It focuses on promoting sanitation and hygiene, particularly in urban slums and low-income housing areas.

14. Q: What financial mechanism was introduced to boost affordable housing under the Union Budget 2024-25?

    • A: Additional tax deductions on home loan interest for affordable housing.

15. Q: Which housing finance institution supports rural and urban housing through financial products in India?

    • A: National Housing Bank (NHB).

16. Q: What is the key objective of Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)?

    • A: To reduce poverty and vulnerability of urban poor households by enabling access to self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.

17. Q: What is the role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in housing and urban development?

    • A: PPPs help in the creation of affordable housing and urban infrastructure by combining government support with private sector expertise and investment.

18. Q: How is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) linked to housing and urban development?

    • A: It enables financial inclusion by providing banking access to economically weaker sections, aiding them in securing housing finance.

19. Q: What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on the housing market in urban areas?

    • A: It led to a temporary decline in housing demand but also highlighted the need for affordable and rental housing solutions.

20. Q: What is the Swachh Survekshan and how does it affect urban housing?

    • A: It is an annual cleanliness survey that evaluates the sanitation and cleanliness efforts in Indian cities, impacting urban planning and housing projects.

21–30: Affordable Housing and Real Estate

21. Q: What are the key features of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in India?

    • A: REITs allow investors to invest in the real estate market, including housing, by buying shares in income-producing real estate properties.

22. Q: How did the Union Budget 2024 support the affordable housing sector?

    • A: It increased the allocation for PMAY and offered additional tax incentives for affordable housing.

23. Q: What is the aim of the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) scheme under PMAY?

    • A: To incentivize public-private partnerships to build affordable housing units for the urban poor.

24. Q: What are green buildings, and how are they relevant to housing and urban development?

    • A: Green buildings are designed to reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable construction materials.

25. Q: How does the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) affect real estate and housing projects?

    • A: It provides a mechanism for homebuyers to claim their rights in case of insolvency or bankruptcy of real estate developers.

26. Q: What is the role of the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) created by the National Housing Bank?

    • A: To provide long-term finance for affordable housing projects.

27. Q: How is GST applicable to the housing sector in India?

    • A: Goods and Services Tax (GST) impacts the pricing of real estate, with lower rates for affordable housing projects.

28. Q: What is Bharatmala Pariyojana, and how does it contribute to urban housing?

    • A: Bharatmala is a highway development project that improves connectivity between cities, indirectly boosting housing development along the transport corridors.

29. Q: What is the Model Tenancy Act, and how does it affect the rental housing market?

    • A: It regulates the rental housing market by balancing the rights of landlords and tenants, promoting the rental housing ecosystem.

30. Q: How does the PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) differ from PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G)?

    • A: PMAY-U focuses on affordable housing in urban areas, while PMAY-G addresses housing needs in rural areas.

31–40: Environmental and Social Aspects

31. Q: What is the role of urban forestry in housing and urban development?

    • A: Urban forestry enhances green spaces in cities, improving air quality and creating healthier living environments in residential areas.

32. Q: How do Climate Resilient Urban Infrastructure Projects relate to housing?

    • A: These projects aim to develop infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts, ensuring that housing and urban areas remain sustainable and livable.

33. Q: What is the significance of the Global Housing Technology Challenge launched by the Indian government?

    • A: It promotes the adoption of innovative construction technologies for faster and more cost-effective housing development.

34. Q: What role does disaster-resilient housing play in urban planning?

    • A: It ensures that housing structures are built to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.

35. Q: How do Eco-cities contribute to sustainable urban development?

    • A: Eco-cities are designed to minimize ecological footprints by integrating sustainable housing, green spaces, and efficient waste management systems.

36. Q: How does urban sprawl impact housing and urban infrastructure development?

    • A: Urban sprawl leads to the unplanned expansion of cities, increasing infrastructure costs and creating challenges in providing housing and services.

37. Q: What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and how does it influence housing policies?

    • A: NCAP focuses on reducing air pollution, which impacts housing design and urban planning through initiatives like green buildings and clean energy solutions.

38. Q: What is the significance of mixed-use development in urban housing?

    • A: Mixed-use development integrates residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, promoting efficient land use and reducing commuting needs in cities.

39. Q: How does urban regeneration differ from urban redevelopment?

    • A: Urban regeneration focuses on revitalizing declining areas, while redevelopment involves replacing existing structures with new developments.

40. Q: How do housing cooperatives contribute to affordable housing in urban areas?

    • A: Housing cooperatives provide shared ownership models, making housing more accessible and affordable for low- and middle-income groups.