UPSC Prelims–style objective questions (2026-oriented) based on themes of urbanisation, migration, inclusion, language barriers, and people-centric governance.

 

Q1. The term “Invisible Linguistic Tax” in the context of urban migration primarily refers to:

1. Higher income tax rates imposed on migrant workers

2. Economic disadvantage arising from language-based exclusion

3. Penalties for not learning the local language

4. Cost of acquiring official language certification

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

B. 2 only ✅

C. 2 and 4 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

The term refers to economic, social and bureaucratic disadvantages faced by migrants due to language barriers — such as difficulty accessing services, jobs, and documentation.

It is not a formal tax or penalty.

Hence, only statement 2 is correct.

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Q2. Which of the following are consequences of linguistic barriers in urban governance?

1. Restricted access to welfare schemes

2. Increased dependence on intermediaries

3. Greater representation in decision-making bodies

4. Higher probability of informal employment

Select the correct answer:

A. 1, 2 and 4 only ✅

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Language barriers cause:

• difficulty filling forms or accessing benefits ✔

• reliance on middlemen ✔

• exclusion from formal employment ✔

They reduce, not increase, political representation — so statement 3 is incorrect.

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Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the informal urban economy:

1. It often absorbs migrants excluded from formal services.

2. It typically provides higher wages and job security than the formal sector.

3. Workers in the informal sector face limited social mobility.

Which statements are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only ✅

B. 2 only

C. 1 and 2 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Migrants unable to access formal structures often enter informal jobs ✔

• Informal sector provides lower wages & weak labour protection ✘

• It limits upward mobility ✔

Hence statements 1 & 3 correct, 2 is wrong.

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Q4. The assumption of a static, homogenous user base in urban planning primarily leads to:

A. Higher investment in migrant housing

B. Better multicultural policy frameworks

C. Invisibility of new residents in infrastructure design ✅

D. Greater decentralisation of governance

Explanation:

When planners assume cities have a uniform population, they ignore migrant needs, resulting in:

• inaccessible services

• exclusionary infrastructure

• weak planning responsiveness

Thus migrants become invisible stakeholders.

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Q5. Which of the following measures strengthen inclusive urban governance?

1. Multilingual public service delivery

2. Cultural-sensitivity training for frontline staff

3. Community participation in planning bodies

4. Mandatory uniform language policy

Select the correct answer:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only ✅

B. 2 and 4 only

C. 1 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Measures that promote inclusion are:

• multilingual service access ✔

• empathy & sensitivity in administration ✔

• participatory planning ✔

A uniform language policy increases exclusion, so statement 4 is incorrect.

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Q6. In the context of migration and urbanisation, urban citizenship refers to:

A. Legal nationality granted by a city

B. Equal access to opportunities, services and belonging in a city ✅

C. Permanent residence certification

D. Voting rights in local body elections only

Explanation:

Urban citizenship is a socio-developmental concept, not legal nationality.

It implies:

• equal dignity

• service accessibility

• belongingness

• non-discrimination

It goes beyond voting or residence status.

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Q7. Which of the following best describes people-centric urban design?

A. Planning based solely on technological optimisation

B. Focus on infrastructure expansion over social realities

C. Cities as dynamic ecosystems accommodating diversity and inclusion ✅

D. Prioritising economic growth over migrant welfare

Explanation:

People-centric planning:

• recognises demographic change

• integrates migrants

• values social inclusion

It treats cities as living, evolving ecosystems.

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Q8. Consider the following:

1. Multilingual grievance-redressal systems

2. Representation of migrant communities in urban bodies

3. Reduction of documentation barriers

4. Strict assimilation-based integration policies

Which promote democratic inclusion?

A. 1, 2 and 3 only ✅

B. 2 and 4 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Inclusive governance requires:

• language accessibility ✔

• political voice ✔

• simplified bureaucracy ✔

Strict assimilation policies undermine diversity — so 4 is incorrect.

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Q9. The phrase “cities as living ecosystems” implies:

A. Cities function as fixed administrative structures

B. Urban spaces continuously evolve through demographic change ✅

C. Cities must restrict population movement

D. Urban governance should remain uniform and rigid

Explanation:

Cities evolve through:

• migration

• social mobility

• cultural diversity

They are dynamic and adaptive, not static.

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Q10. Which outcomes are associated with empathetic and inclusive urban policy?

1. Improved administrative efficiency

2. Stronger social trust and cohesion

3. Higher bureaucratic friction

4. Enhanced long-term economic resilience

Select the correct answer:

A. 1, 2 and 4 only ✅

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Inclusive policy leads to:

• smoother delivery of services ✔

• trust between state & citizens ✔

• sustainable economic growth ✔

It reduces, not increases, bureaucratic friction.

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🎯 How these help UPSC preparation

These questions strengthen your understanding of:

• Urbanisation & migration (GS1)

• Inclusive growth & governance (GS2)

• Social justice & policy ethics

• Essay & case-study perspectives