UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — From green to grey, in Goa

Q1. As per data on land converted to settlement zone under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2024 tabled during the 2026 Goa Budget Session, which one of the following talukas accounted for the LARGEST area so converted?

  • A. Bardez
  • B. Tiswadi
  • C. Pernem
  • D. Canacona

Q2. With reference to Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2024, consider the following statements: 1. It permits an individual property owner to apply for change of land-use zone of his/her own plot. 2. It was inserted by amending the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974. 3. The parent Act under which Section 39A operates is the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. 4. After Gazette notification of a proposed change under this section, a 30-day window is available for public objections. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It permits an individual property owner to apply for change of land-use zone of his/her own plot.
  2. It was inserted by amending the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974.
  3. The parent Act under which Section 39A operates is the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.
  4. After Gazette notification of a proposed change under this section, a 30-day window is available for public objections.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q3. Applications for plot-level change of zone under Section 39A of the Goa TCP (Amendment) Act, 2024 are processed and notified by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. Goa State Pollution Control Board
  • B. Office of the Chief Town Planner (Planning), Town and Country Planning Department, Government of Goa
  • C. Department of Revenue (Land Records), Government of Goa
  • D. Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority

Q4. In the context of the ongoing protests against Section 39A in Goa, the term 'Khazan lands' most accurately refers to:

  • A. Laterite plateau lands on the Western Ghats used for monsoon-season finger-millet cultivation
  • B. Reclaimed estuarine tidal saline floodplains protected by bunds and sluice gates, supporting an integrated fish–rice–paddy agro-ecology
  • C. Village common grazing lands held collectively under the Portuguese-era communidade system
  • D. Privately held orchard lands planted with cashew and areca in the midland zone

Q5. According to figures tabled in the Goa Legislative Assembly during the 2026 Budget Session, what is the approximate total area of land converted to 'settlement' zone using Section 39A of the TCP (Amendment) Act, 2024 since its notification?

  • A. About 3.26 lakh square metres
  • B. About 12.78 lakh square metres
  • C. About 25.50 lakh square metres
  • D. About 40.00 lakh square metres