LDCE QUESTIONS 2008

LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
11TH JUNE 2008
PAPER I

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE & ENGLISH, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE POLICY: GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE RAILWAYS. BOOKS AND BUDGET INCLUDING TRAFFIC BOOK

Important this paper contains two sections – A B & C both sections have to be answered section A carries 50 marks and section B carries 100 marks
SECTION A (MAX MARKS-50)
1. Write short notes on any two of the following (10 marks)
a) Narmada Bachao
b) VAT
c) Organ Transplant
d) Right to Information Act
2. Expand the following abbreviations ( 5 marks – ½ marks each)
a) LPG
b)CAT
c)PAC
d)SPV
e)ONGC
f) UPSC
g)SPCA
h) PERT
g) IMF
h) IRCTC
3. Explain the concept of Raj Bhasha how it is implemented in your office (Please restrict your note to 250 words) 5 marks
4. Name the authors of the following books ( 5 marks)
a) God of Small Things
b) Malgudi Days
c) As You Like It
D) My Experiments With Truth
E) Arthashastra
F) Who Moved My Cheese
G) Anand Math
H) The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
I) Discovery of India
J) Harry Potter and Order Of Phoenix
5. Fill in the blanks (5 marks)
a) Veni ______ vicci
b) A Stitch in time _____________ ____________
c) Ignorance is _____________
d) Rise and Fall of _________ __________
e) Few and ________ between
f) I came, I saw and I __________
g) Jai Jawan Jai ____________
h) A thing of ________ is a joy forever
i) if they don’t have bread let them ear ____________
j) a ___________ measures earthquake

6. Briefly explain the difference between the following (10 marks)
a) Fundamental rights and directive principles
b) bonafide and malafide
c) BOLT & BOT
d) Limited tender an d open tender
e) Concurrence and sanction
7. The following personalities have been newsworthy. Briefly state the reason ( 10 marks)
a) E Sreedharan
b) INDIRA Nooyi
c) Barack Obama
d) J K Rowling
e) Sunita Williams
f) Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
g) Dalai Lama
h) Ratan Tata
i) Asif Ali Sardari
j) Hillary Clinton

SECTION B MAX MARKS 100
This section contains two parts A & B Attempt four questions taking any two from each
All questions carry equal marks of 25 each
1. What is the need for separate audit by representatives of comptroller and auditor general with effective internal auditing within the system, can c& AG Audit can be dispensed with discuss in detail giving pros and cons.
2. Write short notes on any five
a) Konkan Railway Corporation
b) Canons of Financial Propriety
c) Delegation of powers
d) reappropriations
e) Charged and voted expenditure
f) Railway Board
g) Dedicated freight corridor

3. In the present set up of Indian railways what are the different “FUNDS” In brief describe the nature of each fund and their operation. Briefly discuss “CAPITAL FUNDS”

4. How is the “operating ratio” calculated? What the limitations of this ratio in assessing the financial viability of the railway. What are your suggestions to bring down the operating ratio of Southern Railway?

5. “Railway finances were separated fro general finances primarily to secure stability for civil estimates by providing for an assured contribution from railway revenues and also to introduce flexibility in the administration of railway finances, is this concept still relevant today. Discuss relative advantages and disadvantages.

PART B

1. What is the purpose of “accounts office balance sheet. Briefly indicate the nature of debit and credit entries. What action would be taken for realisation of old outstanding?

2. Write short notes on any five
a) Zero based budgeting
b) Suspense heads
c) Apportionment of earnings
d) M & P Programme
e) Approximate account current
f) Railway Act
3. What is “appropriation accounts” annexure J is an index of the efficiency of the accounts department. Discuss how we can on southern railway minimise the number of instances brought under annexure J
4. In the existing systems, the closure of accounts take considerable time. Even then the booked expenditure do not reflect the actual and correct picture. Critically examine the procedure of monthly, quarterly and annual closing and give your suggestions for improving the existing system. Also indicates whether approximate account current should continue
5. “Traditional Budgeting is functionally oriented and accounting oriented but not result oriented. Zero based budgeting is an improvement over traditional budgeting” dicusss this statement in detail in the context Indian railways and also explain how zero based budget can be applied for revenue budget (i.e. working expenses).




















LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
12TH JUNE 2008
PAPER II
TOTAL SIX QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED – TWO FROM PART I AND TWO FROM PART II AND TWO FROM EITHER PART III A OR III B ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

PART I
FINANCIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR EXPENDITURE and TRAFFIC COSTING (MAX MARKS 50) ATTEMPT ANY TWO OUT OF QUESTIONS 1 TO 4

1 In the context of railway operations, explain the cost of joint costs. What is the basis on which such costs are apportioned among various services?
2. Write short notes on any five (maxi marks 5 each)
a.) Uneconomic Branch Lines
b.) Out of Turn Works
C) Special Limited Tenders
D) Throughput Enhanced Works
E) Terminal Charges
F) Orange Book and Pink Book
G) Specific Fuel Consumption

3. What is meant by productivity test and how it is applied to new projects? Do they serve the purpose as intended?
4. Highlight the importance of Sensitivity Analysis in evaluating investment proposals. How would you apply this to a proposal for a new line project?

PART II
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (MAX MARKS 50) ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS OUT OF QUESTIONS 5 TO 8

5. Define Break Even Analysis how it is calculated and what are the uses of Break-Even Analysis as a management tool
6. Write short notes on any five:
a) Management Audit
B) Profit Volume Ratio
C) Wagon Turn Around
D) Variance Analysis
E) Net Tonne Kilometres
F) Standard Costing
7. What is meant by financial ratios illustrate any two ratios can operating ratio be taken as a financial ratio give reasons
8. Discuss in detail the concept of performance of budgeting and its application in railway working

PART III MAX MARKS 50
Important answer any two out of questions 9 to 12 or any two out of questions 13 to 16

PART III A
9. What is meant by apportionment of earnings how is it done in respect of goods earnings of through traffic?
10. What is traffic suspense what are the items that constitute traffic suspense give your suggestions to reduce traffic suspense on Southern Railway?
11. Write short notes on any five
a) Leave Not Due
B) Staff Benefit Fund
C) Foreign Service Contribution
D) Supernumerary Post
E) Ex Gratia Payment
F) Special Casual Leave
12. (a) Briefly describe the organisational set up of the statistical department
And
(b) Define the following
i. Engine Hours
ii. Gross Tonne Kilometres
iii. Route Kilometres
iv. Occupation Ratio

PART III B
WORKSHOP STORES ACCOUNTS AND GENERAL EXPENDITURE
13. discuss how the POH of a Locomotive is worked out and explain how direct and indirect costs are taken into accounts
14. (a) what is stock adjustment accounts
(b) What are the various items adjusted through this account
C. Who is the competent authority to sanction the clearance of balance under this head
15. What are the essentials of a good inventory control system? Discuss ABC analysis and its advantages
16. Write short notes on any five
a) Completion Estimates and Completion Reports
B) Risk and Cost
C) Non-Schedule Items
D) Final Location Survey
E) Fall Clause
f) EFT and ECS

LDCE QUESTIONS 2007

LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE 2007
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
14TH FEBRUARY 2007
PAPER I
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE & ENGLISH, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE POLICY: GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE RAILWAYS. BOOKS AND BUDGET INCLUDING TRAFFIC BOOK

Important this paper contains two sections – A & B. Both sections have to be answered section A carries 50 marks and section B carries 100 marks
SECTION A (MAX MARKS-50)
1. write a short essay on any of the following (10 marks)
a. If there is poverty anywhere, it affects prosperity every where.
b. Effect of information technology on employment – is it positive or negative?
c. Raj Bhasha policy implementation on IR
2. Expand the following abbreviations ( 5 marks – 0.5 marks)
a. GDP b. CDROM c. RVNL d.GPS e. LIBOR f. PSLV g. GSLV h. SEBI i. BOLT j. ASEAN
3. Find the difference in meaning and usage of the following pairs of words( 5 marks)
a. effluent & affluent b. hallmark & bench mark c. jeans & genes d. affect & effect e. interpret & interrupt
4. why have these persons been in the news ( 5 marks)
a. Dr Raja J Cheeliah b. Nawjot Singh Siddhu c. Wangari Maathai d. Mohammed Ynus e. Shane Warne
5. give the name of the authors of these books (5 marks)
a. Search in Secret India b. Raja Tarangini c. The World is flat d. Ignited Minds e. Savitri
6. where are the following situated ( 3 marks 0.5 marks )
a. Buland Darwaza b. Hawa Mahal c. RDSO d. Petronas Towers e. Rolland Garros Ground f. Wax Museum of Madam Tussaud
7. Match the following ( 2 marks 0.5 marks)

Uber cup Cricket
China man Tennis
Check mate Badminton
Deuce chess
8. write a paragraph on any two of the following ( 4 marks each)
a. Dedicated Freight Corridor b. Ombudsman c. GM Crops d. Garib Rath
9. use the following in sentences of your own ( 6 marks 1 ½ marks each)
a. ultra wires b. de-novo c. suo-moto d. inter-alia
10. use the following idioms In your own sentences ( 5 marks)
a. bite the dust b. strike a balance c. in the same breath d. cast the first stone e. pay through the nose
SECTION B MAX MARKS 100
This section contains two parts A & B Attempt four questions taking any two from each
All questions carry equal marks
Part A
1. in a developing country like India on the threshold of the take-off, there is always competing demands between remunerative tariffs and societal needs. This calls of new ways of resource rising and innovative revenue measures. Describe the recent steps taken by IR in the regard. Do you have any suggestion?

2. the public accounts committee of parliament has repeatedly criticised the increasing trend of misclassifications ain accounts and mistakes in budgeting. Present an analysis of the causes for these problems. Suggest appropriate steps to eliminate their recurrence
3. railways are at once a Govt dept and commercial enterprise. Discuss how the twin-need of Govt and commercial accounting are satisfied in railway accounting process. Discuss the issue of dividend payment to the central revenue in this context.
4. write shot notes on any two of the following :
a. Integrated Budget b. Zero Based Budgeting c. Performance Budgeting d. Corporate Plans

Part B
5. Raiwlay Board (FC) have recently appointed a committee to explore the reasons for the delay in submission of monthly actual expenditure and also the variations between the approximates and the actuals. From your angle, analyze the causes for these delays and variations. Can the approximate be dispensed with the actuals submitted at an earlier date? Suggest steps for this.
6. There is a plethora of suspense heads in railway accounting. Discuss the need for continued operation of these suspense heads, specifically focussing on one suspense head each from Earnings, revenue expenditure and works expenditure
7. Write short notes on the following
a. demands payable b. exchequer control c. SRS F d. Annual Debt head Report
8. What is the accounting mechanism for recording the traffic earnings of a railway under various heads and their progressive realisation? Also describe the procedure for the apportionment of traffic earnings amongst railways

ANSWER ANY TWO out of questions 9 to 12 or ANY TWO out of questions 13 to 16 (25 each)
PART III A TRAFFIC ACCOUNTS STATISTICS AND ESTABLISHMENT ( 50 MARKS)
9. do you agree with the statement the magnitude of outstanding under traffic suspense reflects the efficiency of traffic accounts office? Discuss with your suggestions to bring it to the optimal levels.
10. a. what are the various types of statistical information generated from a goods invoice? Explain in detail how any three of them are calculated.
b. what is the reason for the continued difference between accounts office figures and statistical figures in monthly earnings?
11. Write short notes on
a. leave not due b. recent changes in the haulage charges of postal traffic c. scale check register d. combine train reports
12. Give significance of the following statistical results
a. wagon kilometres per wagon per day b. net tonne kilo meters c. occupation ratio d. net tonne kilo meters per engine hour
Part III B WORKSHOP AND STORES ACCOUNTS AND GENERAL EXPENDITURE
13. Elucidate
a. what are the constituent elements of workshop manufacturing suspense?
b. the objective and procedure for job costing in a railway workshop. How would you take make or buy decision based on cost data?
14. write short notes on
a. VED b.repeat order c. stores exception reports d. transfer pricing
15. a. describe the various techniques used for reducing the material cost through various stages in the purchase,storage, issue and disposal
b. how is inventory turn over ratio calculated? Can it be termed as a reliable index of inventory management

16. discuss the management information system with special reference to material management. Explain how the system helps the management in decision making.





LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
15TH FEBRUARY 2007
PAPER II
TOTAL SIX QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED – TWO FROM PART I AND TWO FROM PART II AND TWO FROM EITHER PART III A OR III B ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS

PART I
FINANCIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR EXPENDITURE and TRAFFIC COSTING (MAX MARKS 50)

1. Describe the steps/stages involved in preparing a project report for new line project, predominantly for carrying iron ore. How is the project-appraisal and sensitivity analysis done for assessing the viability of the project? Assume your own data

2. Answer the following
a. there is a section of opinion which holds that cross-subsidisation in fares between passenger and goods in railways should be abandoned and the fare structure should align costs with tariff. Does the present traffic costing system provide adequate and reliable data to discuss the opinion?

b. discuss the methodologies of costing EMU services

3. Discuss any three of the following in brief
a. social cost benefit analysis b. specific fuel consumption c. apportionment of joint costs d. green book e. two packet system of tendering f. risk and cost tender

4. Railways need alternative sources for plan expenditure. Discuss the schemes like BOLT, BOT and projects under PPP in furthering this purpose.

PART II MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ( Max marks 50)
5. Explain the concept and utility of financial ratio analysis. Discuss the use of at least four ratios to assess the comparative performance of a railway in different periods as well as with other railways

6.
a. discuss cost volume-profit analysis . Describe the utility of break-even analysis for profit planning, continue or drop a product, make or buy decisions etc
b. zenith company manufactures a special cement which is sold in bags of 20 kgs its financial data is given below
Selling price per bag: Rs. 30.00
Variable cost per bag: Rs 16.00
Fixed cost : Rs 100000.00
Quantity : 3000 bags
Calculate the following
a. Break even quantity
b. Assume 10 % increase in fixed cost and calculate the new break even point
c. Assume 50 % increase in fixed cost and calculate the new break even point
d. Assume increase in variable cost to Rs 20 per bag and calculate the new break even point
7. write short notes on any three of the following
a. variance analysis b. fund flow analysis c. AFRES d. PERT
8. what is meant by Product Life Cycle Costing? Also explain the purpose of the same. What step you would recommend to reduce the life cycle cost in a railway production unit?

LDCE QUESTIONS 2003

LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE
MAY 2003
PAPER I
PART I GENERAL KNOWLEDGE & ENGLISH
1. Expand the following abbreviations ( 5 marks half marks each)
a) BCCI
b) KRCL
c) RITES
d) IRSSE
e) GNP
f) MFN
g) CCRS
h) FEMA
i) CD-ROM
j) IVRS
2. Name the following (5 marks each half marks each)
a) First Indian woman to win an Olympic medal
b) General manager, southern railway
c) Chairman railway board
d) Mixed doubles’ champions of Australian open 2003
e) Venue of Olympics 2004
f) Currency of Bangladesh
g) Firs president of India
h) Batsman to score the fastest century in cricket world cup
i) The author of the column “with malice towards one and all”
j) Secretary of state USA
3. In which cities would you find the following ( 5 marks half marks each)
a) Leaning Tower
b) Statue Of Liberty
c) Lotus Temple
d) Hutatma Chowk
e) Louvers Museum
f) ‘Petronas’ Towers
g) Gate Way Of India
h) Popes’ Residence
i) Vidhan Soudha
j) Wimbledon
4. Match the following ( 3 marks half mark each)
1. rugby a. castle
2. golf b. pole position
3. motor racing c. deuce
4. chess d. little slam
5. tennis e. eagle
6. contract bridge f. touch down
5. Name the authors of the following books ( 2 marks half mark each)
a) Interpreter Of Maladies
b) Discovery Of India
c) A Suitable Boy
d) Madhushala
6. What are the following ( 3 marks half mark each)
a) East coast railway head quarters
b) Rail coach factory
c) Diesel component works
d) Garden reach
e) Baroda house
f) IRIATT
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
8. USE THE FOLLOWING to bring out the difference in meaning ( 5 marks 1 mark each)
a) Bear and bare
b) Lose and loose
c) Break and brake
d) Severe and persevere
e) Genes and jeans
9. use the following in your own sentences ( 10 marks 1 mark each)
a) Suo moto
b) Fight shy of
c) De facto
d) Let sleeping dogs lie
e) Lingua franca
f) Take to heart
g) Ad infinitum
h) At the eleventh hour
i) Par excellence
j) Laughing stock
10. Write a para of not more than SIX sentences on ANY TWO of the following (10 marks 5 marks each)
a) Child is the father of the man
b) There is many a slip between the cup and the lip
c) Brevity is the soul of wit
PART II GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING (50 marks)
11. Write briefly about the various funds now in operation in Indian railways (10)
12. Answer ANY TWO of the following (20 each)
a) Trace briefly the various stages from survey to completion report of a new line
b) Write short notes on ANY TWO of the following
1. appropriation accounts
2. misc advance revenue
3. productivity test
c) Distinguish between ANY TWO of the following
1. Operating ratio and PEI
2. TC and JV
3. Sundry earnings and miscellaneous earnings
PART III BOOKS & BUDGET (INCLUDING TRAFFIC BOOK) (50 MARKS)
13. What steps would you suggest to reduce cash handling by railway (10)
14. Answer ANY TWO of the following
a) How are the earnings apportioned between zonal railways? Is apportionment necessary?
b) Distinguish between approximate and actual account current. Is it necessary to prepare both?
c) What are the various components of traffic suspense? How can we control each of them?
LDCE QUESTION PAPERS YEAR WISE 2003
PAPER II

SIX QUESTIONS ARE TO ANSWERED (TWO FROM PART I TWO FROM PART II AND TWO FROM EITHER PART III A OR PART III B) (each question carries 25 marks)
Part I FINANCIAL JUSTIFICATION AND TRAFFIC COSTING ( 50 MARKS)
1. How are Suburban cost worked out in the railway? Is the methodology adequate?
2. write short notes on ANY THREE of the following
a. urgency certificate
b. debits under demand no 9
c. material modification
d. wagon turn round
3. if the route between Madurai and Tutucorin is to electrified how will you work out the justification? What are the major data required?
PART II MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (50 MARKS)
4. What are the various sources of non-traditional earnings that have been and can be exploited by railways? Comment on the success or failure of the efforts to southern railway in this area in 2001-02 and 2002-03
5. What is ratio analysis? Discuss any two major ratios used in railways vis-à-vis companies
6. Discuss the use of computers in railway financial management. What are the areas that should be covered in computerised financial management information system?

ANSWER ANY TWO out of questions 7, 8 and 9 or ANY TWO out of questions 0,11 and 12 (25 each)
PART III A TRAFFIC ACCOUNTS STATISTICS AND ESTABLISHEMENT ( 50 MARKS)
7. Introduction of PRS, ARTS machines and other modernisations hve led to newer types of frauds. What steps can be taken by traffic accounts office and TIAs to detect these frauds? Illustrate your answer with at least two types of frauds
8. Write shot notes on ANT THREE of the following
a) LPC
b) Combined/joint train report
c) NTKM
d) Classification of commodities
e) Leave not due
9. How would you check the following proposals?
a. station to station rate for moving sponge iron
b. proposal under volume discount scheme
c. opening of a halt station

PART III B WORKSHOP &STORES AND GENERAL EXPENDITURE (50 marks)
10 a. explain the concept of part estimates
b. is there any need for accounts office to vet tender schedule in works tenders? Write in detail bringing out Board’s orders on the subject
11. Write short notes on ANY THREE of the following
a) Turnover ratio
b) Letter of credit
c) Basic schedule of rates
d) Material at site accounts
12 how are POH debits settled between two zonal railways? What are the reasons or wide variation in POH costs in different workshops and what can be done to bring about uniformity?