Economic and Social Development — UPSC Civil Services Prelims Previous Year Questions

An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is called:

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry?

1. It allows Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets that prioritise chemical-free products.
2. It confirms that Eri Silk meets international safety, environmental, and quality standards, enabling its entry into premium eco-conscious markets.

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A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called :

Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative?

Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct?

1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology.
2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24x7 access, promoting financial inclusion.
3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India.

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With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details :

Sl. No.	Committee	Objective	Organization under which it was formed
1.	R.N. Malhotra Committee	Comprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in India	Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
2.	L.C. Gupta Committee	Preparing a roadmap for the introduction of derivatives trading in India	Securities and Exchange Board of India
3.	Urjit R. Patel Committee	Preparing a roadmap for reforming bank lending to the Housing sector	Reserve Bank of India
4.	Y.H. Malegam Committee	Preparing a roadmap for reforms in Microfinance sector in India	Reserve Bank of India

In which of the above rows are all the details correctly matched ?

Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct ?

1. M1xchange provides collateral based loans to MSMEs.
2. M1xchange facilitates discounting of invoices and Bills of Exchange for MSMEs.
3. M1xchange functions as a credit rating agency for MSMEs.

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Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct ?

1. Crowdfunding is solicitation of funds (small amount) from multiple investors through a web-based platform or social networking site for a specific project.
2. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are able to raise funds at lower cost of capital without undergoing rigorous procedures.

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Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India :

1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits.
2. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI.
3. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue cheque drawn on itself.
4. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit taking NBFCs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct ?

1. 'Aviation Hull Insurance' covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment.
2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines are strictly liable to pay compensation to the family/nominee of every deceased passenger without requiring the family to prove fault.

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In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy?

1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations.
2. By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala's profile as a maritime heritage destination.
3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence on foreign trans-shipment ports, enhance revenue retention, and reposition India in regional maritime trade.

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Which one of the following best describes the 'Crowding Out Effect' in the context of fiscal policy ?

Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct?

Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India :

I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure.
II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings.
III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?

1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I.
2. Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework.
3. Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.

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Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) :

1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology.
2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators.
3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Consider the following statements:

Statement I:
Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.

Statement II:
Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

With reference to investments, consider the following:

I. Bonds
II. Hedge Funds
III. Stocks
IV. Venture Capital

How many of the above are treated as Alternative Investment Funds?

Consider the following statements:

I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed companies in India to submit a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR).
II. In India, a company submitting a BRSR makes disclosures in the report that are largely non-financial in nature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following activities:

I. Production of crude oil
II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum products
III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products
IV. Production of natural gas

How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct?

I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800 crores from the year 2022–23 to the year 2025–26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes.
II. 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States.
III. ₹45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms.
IV. It reintroduced tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance.

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Suppose the revenue expenditure is ₹80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are ₹60,000 crores. The Government budget also shows borrowings of ₹10,000 crores and interest payments of ₹6,000 crores. Which of the following statements are correct?

I. Revenue deficit is ₹20,000 crores.
II. Fiscal deficit is ₹10,000 crores.
III. Primary deficit is ₹4,000 crores.

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A country's fiscal deficit stands at ₹50,000 crores. It is receiving ₹10,000 crores through non-debt creating capital receipts. The country's interest liabilities are ₹1,500 crores. What is the gross primary deficit?

Consider the following statements:

I. Capital receipts create a liability or cause a reduction in the assets of the Government.
II. Borrowings and disinvestment are capital receipts.
III. Interest received on loans creates a liability of the Government.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following countries:

I. United Arab Emirates
II. France
III. Germany
IV. Singapore
V. Bangladesh

How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):

I. It provides loans and guarantees to middle income countries.
II. It works single-handedly to help developing countries to reduce poverty.
III. It was established to help Europe rebuild after the World War II.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements:

I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.
II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified.
III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the following are the sources of income for the Reserve Bank of India?

I. Buying and selling Government bonds
II. Buying and selling foreign currency
III. Pension fund management
IV. Lending to private companies
V. Printing and distributing currency notes

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following statements in respect of RTGS and NEFT:

I. In RTGS, the settlement time is instantaneous while in case of NEFT, it takes some time to settle payments.
II. In RTGS, the customer is charged for inward transactions while that is not the case for NEFT.
III. Operating hours for RTGS are restricted on certain days while this is not true for NEFT.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:

I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally thus exhibiting a great boom.
II. India's stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past even overtaking Hong Kong's at some point of time.
III. There is no regulatory body either to warn the small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:

Statement I: In India, income from allied agricultural activities like poultry farming and wool rearing in rural areas is exempted from any tax.

Statement II: In India, rural agricultural land is not considered a capital asset under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Consider the following statements:

Statement I:
As regards returns from an investment in a company, generally, bondholders are considered to be relatively at lower risk than stockholders.

Statement II:
Bondholders are lenders to a company whereas stockholders are its owners.

Statement III:
For repayment purpose, bondholders are prioritized over stockholders by a company.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Consider the following substances:

I. Ethanol 

II. Nitroglycerine 

III. Urea

Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?

Consider the following statements:

I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. 

II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. 

III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

49. With reference to the rule/rules imposed by the Reserve Bank of India while treating foreign banks, consider the following statements :

1, There is no minimum capital requirement for wholly owned banking subsidiaries in India.
2. For wholly owned banking subsidiaries in India, at least 50% of the board members should be Indian nationals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

45. With reference to the sectors of the Indian economy, consider the following pairs :

Economic activity | Sector
1. | Storage of agricultural produce |Secondary
2. | Dairy farm |Primary
3. | Mineral exploration| Tertiary
4, | Weaving cloth |Secondary

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

53. Consider the following statements in respect of the digital rupee :

1. It is a sovereign currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in alignment with its monetary policy.
2. It appears as a liability on the RBI's balance sheet.
3. It is insured against inflation by its very design.
4. It is freely convertible against commercial bank money and cash.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

27. Consider the following :

1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units

How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources" ?

43. In India, which of the following can trade in Corporate Bonds and Government Securities ?

1. Insurance Companies
2. Pension Funds
3. Retail Investors

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47. With reference to physical capital in Indian economy, consider the following pairs :

Items | Category
1. |Farmer's plough | Working capital
2. |Computer | Fixed capital
3. | Yarn used by the weaver| Fixed capital
4. |Petrol | Working capital

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched ?

51. Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : If the United States of America (USA) were to default on its debt, holders of US Treasury Bonds will not be able to exercise their claims to receive payment.
Statement-II : The USA Government debt is not backed by any hard assets, but only by the faith of the Government.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

11. Consider the following airports :

1. Donyi Polo Airport
2. Kushinagar International Airport
3. Vijayawada International Airport

In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects ?

100. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements :

1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of = 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

38. Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following ?

40. With reference to the Indian economy, "Collateral Borrowing and Lending Obligations" are the instruments of :

42. Consider the following statements :

1. In India, Non-Banking Financial Companies can access the Liquidity Adjustment Facility window of the Reserve Bank of India.
2. In India, Foreign Institutional Investors can hold the Government Securities (G-Secs).
3. In India, Stock Exchanges can offer separate trading platforms for debts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

44. Consider the following :

1. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF)
2. Motor vehicles
3. Currency swap

Which of the above is/are considered financial instruments ?

50. With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements :

1. CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.
2. CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

52. Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : Syndicated lending spreads the risk of borrower default across multiple lenders.
Statement-II : The syndicated loan can be a fixed amount/lump sum of funds, but cannot be a credit line.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

59. Consider the following statements :

1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.
2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

47. Consider the following statements:

1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.

2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.

3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?

91. Consider the following statements with reference to India: 
1. According to the Miers, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises those with are those investments in plant and machinery between 15 crore and 25 crore. 2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

69. Consider the following statements:
The ‘Stability and Growth Pact of the European Union is a treaty that

1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union

2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities

3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

41. Consider the following statements:
Statement- I:Interest income from the deposits in Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) distributed to their investors is exempted from tax, but the dividend is taxable.
Statement- II:InvITs are recognized as borrowers under the ‘Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002'
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

45. Consider the following markets:

1. Government Bond Market2. Call Money Market3. Treasury Bill Market4. Stock Market
How many of the above are included in capital markets?

93. In the context of finance, the term ‘beta' refers to

49. Consider the following:

1. Demographic performance2. Forest and ecology

3. Governance reforms4. Stable government5. Tax and fiscal efforts
For the horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance Commission used how many of the above as criteria other than population area and income distance?

66. Consider the following statements 
Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.
Statement-II:Switzerland has the second-largest gold reserves in the world.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

68. Consider the following statements: 
Statement-1: India accounts for 3-2% of global export of goods. 
Statement-II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India's ‘Production-linked Incentive' scheme.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

76. With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:

1. None of them uses seawater.

2. None of them is set up in a water-stressed district.

3. None of them is privately owned
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to India's projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:

1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.

2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar3. Bangladesh-China-India- Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?

42. Consider the following statements:
Statement- I: In the post-pandemic recent past, many Central Banks worldwide had carried out interest rate hikes.
Statement- II:Central Banks generally assume that they have the ability to counteract the rising consumer prices via monetary policy means.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

44. Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of ‘sterilization'?

92. With reference to Central Bank digital currencies, consider the following statements: 
1. It is possible to make payments in a digital currency without using the US dollar or the SWIFT system.2. A digital currency can be distributed with condition programmed into it such as a time- frame for spending it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

46. Which one of the following best describes the concept of ‘Small Farmer Large Field'?

94. Consider the following statements:

1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) program was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.

2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.

3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

48. Consider the investments in the following assets:

1. Brand recognition2. Inventory3. Intellectual property4. Mailing list of clients
How many of the above are considered intangible investments?

72. In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in the Government of India.
2. It monitors the progress of the development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection to the Government's notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end-users in the prescribed time.
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64. With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)', which of the following statements are correct?
1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps the Public Sector Banks in developing strategies and capital raising plans.
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68. In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?

9. With reference to the expenditure made by an organization or a company, which of the following statements is/are correct?1. Acquiring new technology is capital expenditure.2. Debt financing is considered a capital expenditure, while equity financing is considered a revenue expenditure.
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5. With reference to the Indian economy, what are the advantages of "Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs)"?
1. Government can reduce the coupon rates on its borrowing by way of IIBs.
2. IIBs provide protection to investors from uncertainty regarding inflation.
3. The interest received as well as capital gains on IIBs are not taxable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

6. With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce. firms, operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as market-places.2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited.
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71. In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchment, and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

61. Consider the following statements:
1. Tight monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve could lead to capital flight.
2. Capital flight may increase the interest cost of firms with existing External Commercial borrowing (ECBs).
3. Devaluation of domestic currency decreases the currency risk associated with ECBs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

63. Consider the following statements:
1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

65. With reference to Convertible Bonds, consider the following statements:1. As there is an option to exchange the bond for equity, Convertible Bonds pay a lower rate of interest.2. The option to convert to equity affords the bondholder a degree of indexation to ‘rising consumer prices.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

8. Which one of the following situations best reflects "Indirect Transfers" often talked about in media recently with reference to India?

67.  Consider the following statements:
1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent years.
2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
3. Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
4. For a long time, Vietnam's low labor costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
5. Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

4. With reference to the "G20 Common Framework", consider the following statements:1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.2. It is an initiative to support Low-Income Countries with unsustainable debt.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

10. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:1. A share of the household financial savings goes towards government borrowings.2. Dated securities issued at market-related rates in auctions form a large component of internal debt.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

2. With reference to the Indian economy consider the following statements:
1. An increase in Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of the rupee.
2. An increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates an improvement in trade competitiveness.
3. An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and REER.
Which of the above statements are correct?

1. "Rapid Financing Instrument" and "Rapid Credit Facility" are related to the provisions of leading by which one of the following?

3. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:
1. If the inflation is too high, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy government securities.
2. If the rupee is rapidly depreciating, RBI is likely to sell dollars in the market.
3. If interest rates in the USA or European Union were to fall, that is likely to induce RBI to buy dollars.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

7. Which of the following activities constitute the real sector in the economy?
1. Farmers harvesting their crops2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics3. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company4. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas
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Q71. The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?

Q55. With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks in India, consider the following statements: (1) They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. (2) They can issue equity shares and preference shares. (3) They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q51. Consider the following statements: (1) The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government.(2) Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in the public interest.(3) The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.
Which of the above statements are correct?

Q59. Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?

Q75. In India, the central bank's function as the ‘lender of last resort' usually refers to which of the following? (1) Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources. (2) Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis. (3) Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits.
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Q53. Which of the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?

Q57. Consider the following: (1) Foreign currency convertible bonds (2) Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions (3) Global depository receipts (4) Non-resident external deposits 
Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?

Q73. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (1) Retail investors through Demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills' and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds' in the primary market. (2) The ‘Negotiated Dealing System Order Matching' is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India. (3) The ‘Central Depository Services Ltd.' Is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q52. With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: (1) All causal workers are entitled to Employees Provident Fund coverage. (2) All casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment. (3) The government can by notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.
Which of the above statements are correct?

Q54. Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if (1) price of its substitute increases (2) price of its complement increases (3) the good is an inferior good and the income of the consumer increases (4) its price falls
Which of the above statements are correct?

Q56. Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? (1) Actions of the United States Federal Reserve (2) Actions of the Reserve Bank of India (3) Inflation and short-term interest rates
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Q58. Consider the following statements: The effect of the devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily (1) improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets (2) increases the foreign value of the domestic currency (3) improves the trade balance
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Q60. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?

Q72. With reference to the Indian economy, demand-pull inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? (1) Expansionary policies (2) Fiscal stimulus (3) Inflation-indexing wages (4) Higher purchasing power (5) Rising interest rates
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Q74. With reference to ‘Water Credit', consider the following statements: (1) It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. (2) It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. (3) It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q79. Consider the following statements:

1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Prices(MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.

2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q71. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops.

2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

3. Social Capital Development.

4. Free Electricity supply to farmers.

5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system.

6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the government.

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Q87. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following it would NOT do?

Cut and optimize the statutory liquidity ratio
Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate
Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate
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Q27. Gold tranche(Reserve tranche) refers to

Q83. The term ‘West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of

Q73. Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past?

1. Minimum Support Price

2. Government's trading

3. Government's stockpiling

4. Consumer subsidies

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Q77. Consider the following statements:

1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index(CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index(WPI).

2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.

3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q9. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future , which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India?

Not depending on the short term foreign borrowing.
Opening up to more foreign banks
Maintaining full capital account convertibility
Select the correct answer using the given code below-

Q81. With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic ?

Q89. Consider the following statements:

1. In terms of short term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks(DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.

2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

Which of the statements is/are correct ?

Q54. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:

At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of all oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q72. What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India?

1. It helps in understanding the present risk of a firm that a bank is going to give loan to.

2. It helps in evaluating the emerging risk of a firm that a bank is going to give loan to.

3. The higher a borrowing firm's level of Interest Coverage Ratio, the worse is its ability to service its debt.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q36. Along with the budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the parliament which include "The Macro Economic Framework Statement" The aforesaid document is presented because this mandated by

Q74. Consider the following statements:

1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.

2. "Textile and Textile articles" constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.

3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q80. With reference to the Indian Economy, consider the following statements:

1.'Commercial Paper' is a short term unsecured promissory note.

2. ‘Certificate of Deposit' is a long-term instrument issued by the Reserve Bank of India to a corporation.

3. ‘Call Money' is a short term finance used for interbank transactions.

4. ‘Zero-Coupon Bonds' are the interest bearing short term bonds issued by the Scheduled Commercial Banks to corporations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q82. With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.

2. India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery have decreased in recent years.

3. India's exports of services are more than its imports of services.

4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q84. In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following?

1. Housing loans owned by household
2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards
3. Treasury Bills

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q86. With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited.

2. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services.

3. They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q10. If you withdraw 1,00,000 from your in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be

Q88. With reference to the Indian Economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements:

1. Worker productivity ( rupees per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.

2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.

3. In rural areas, the growth in the non-farm economy increased.

4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q90. In India, under cyber insurances for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits ?

1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one's computer.
2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so.
3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion.
4. Cost of defence in the court of law if any third party files a suit.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q24. Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Q2
7. Consider the following statements: The Reserve Bank of India's recent directives relating to ‘Storage of Payment System Data', popularly known as data diktat, command the payment system providers that1. they shall ensure that entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India2. they shall ensure that the systems are owned and operated by public sector enterprises3. they shall submit the consolidated system audit report to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India by the end of the calendar year
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q2
0. With reference to India's Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrust towards substitution of basic and capital good industries.
2. The Fourth Five-Year Plan adopted the objective of correcting the earlier trend of increased concentration of wealth and economic power.
3. In the Fifth Five-Year Plan, for the first time, the financial sector was included as an integral part of the Plan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Q11. The Service Area Approach was implemented under the purview of

Q14. Which of the following is not included in the assets of a commercial bank in India?

Q13. Consider the following statements:1. Most of India's external debt is owed by governmental entities.2. All of India's external debt is denominated in US dollars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q9. The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is the Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus

Q8
8. Consider the following statements:
1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on a lottery basis.
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q22. Consider the following statements1. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates are calculated by comparing the prices of the same basket of goods and services in different countries.2. In terms of PPP dollars, India is the sixth-largest economy in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q97. Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Q52. With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

Q26. Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of the Indian rupee?

Q1
5. In the context of India, which of the following factors is/are contributor/ contributors to reducing the risk of a currency crisis?
1. The foreign currency earnings of India's IT sector2. Increasing the government expenditure3. Remittances from Indians abroad
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Q30. The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?

Q64. In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some states than in others because

Q17. Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly?

Q40. Consider the following statements:As per the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central (Amendment) Rules, 20181. if rules for fixed-term employment are implemented, it becomes easier for the firms/companies to layoff workers.2. no notice of termination of employment shall be necessary in the case of a temporary workman.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q10. In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?

Q2. What was the purpose of the Inter-Creditor Agreement signed by Indian banks and financial institutions recently?

Q1. With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements

1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations.

2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB.

3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3. The Chairmen of public sector banks are selected by the

Q7.Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's ‘Ease of Doing Business Index'?

Q3
1. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

67. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

25. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements :

1. The families coming under the category of below poverty line (BPL) only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
   2.. The eldest woman in a household, of age
   18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
2. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

9. Consider the following statements :

1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments.
2. The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments.
3. As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government's consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

96. With reference to the governance of publie sector banking in India, consider the following statements:
1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has steadily increased in the last decade.
2. To put the public sector banks in order, the merger of associate banks with the parent State Bank of India has been affected.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

49. Consider the following statements : Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables

1. individuals of a country to accumulate more capital.
2. increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country.
3. accumulation of tangible wealth.
4. accumulation of intangible wealth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

50. Despite being a high saving economy, capital formation may not result in significant increase in output due to

26. India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to

6. Which one of the following best describes the term "Merchant Discount Rate" sometimes seen in news ?

56. Consider the following statements :
1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

28. With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements :
1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account.
2. While a chip-pin debit card has four factors of authentication, BHIM app has only two factors of authentication.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

16. Consider the following statements :

1. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the amount that banks have to maintain in
   the form of their own funds to offset any loss that banks incur if the account-holders fail to repay dues.
2. CAR is decided by each individual bank.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

8. With reference to India's decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. It is introduced as a part of the Income Tax Act.
2. Non-resident entities that offer advertisement services in India can claim a tax credit in their home country under the "Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements" Select the correct answer using the code given below :

78. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements :

1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

10. Consider the following statements :

1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years.
2. The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

46. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the meaning of legal tender money?

47. If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then

93. Consider the following :

1. Areca nut
2. Barley
3. Coffee
4. Finger millet
5. Groundnut
6. Sesamum
7. Turmeric

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above ?

48. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if

97. Consider the following items :
1. Cereal grains hulled
2. Chicken eggs cooked
3. Fish processed and canned
4. Newspapers containing advertising material
Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Goods and Services Tax) ?

3. As per the NSSO 70th Round "Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households", consider the following statements :

1. Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
2. Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
3. In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

15. Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India?

79. Consider the following statements :

1. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) helps in promoting the financial inclusion in the country.
2. NPCI has launched RuPay, a card payment scheme.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

23. Which of the following are the objectives of National Nutrition Mission'?

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets,
4. coarse cereals and unpolished rice. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

27. The term 'Domestic Content Requirement' is sometimes seen in the news with reference to

81. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing 'Goods and Services Tax (GST) ?

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the 'Current Account Deficit' of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

42. Which of the following is a most likely consequence of implementing the 'Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ?

11. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ?

1. It decides the RBI's benchmark interest
2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year.
3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

29. Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS) ?

61. With reference to National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

1. Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning.
2. An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

33. What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the National Agriculture Market' scheme ?

1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices . commensurate with the quality of their produce.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

77. Which of the following has/have occurred in
India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991 ?

1. Share of agriculture in GDP increased enormously.
2. Share of India's exports in world trade increased.
3. FDI inflows increased.
4. India's foreign exchange reserves increased enormously.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

41. What is the purpose of setting up of Small
Finance Banks (SFBs) in India ?

1. To supply credit to small business units
2. To supply credit to small and marginal farmers
3. To encourage young entrepreneurs to set up business particularly in rural areas.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

56. With reference to National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It has a corpus of * 4,00,000 crore at present.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

57. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an

64. Which of the following statements best describes the term 'Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (SA)', recently seen in the news ?

32. Consider the following statements :

1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is. mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes..
2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

34. With reference to the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy', consider the following statements :

1. It reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement.
2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for regulating intellectual property rights in India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

72. Consider the following statements : The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at

1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

82. 'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

83. Consider the following statements :

1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO.
2. TFA is a part of WTO's Bali Ministerial Package of 2013.
3. TFA came into force in January 2016.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

94. Consider the following statements :

1. Tax revenue as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.
2. Fiscal deficit as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

3. 'Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme' is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to

63. Consider the following in respect of 'National Career Service :

1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

69. Which of the following states has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to the sea by a long navigational channel?

85. Which one of the following is a purpose of UDAY, a scheme of the Government?

49. With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', consider the following statements:

1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

11. What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India?

1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

98. With reference to 'Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and microirrigation equipment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

23. Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India?

59. Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report?

1. Undernourishment
2. Child stunting
3. Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

9. The term 'Base Erosion and Profit Shifting' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

12. Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.
2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme.
3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber's death.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

24. Recently, which one of the following currencies has been proposed to be added to the basket of IMF's SDR?

54. 'Net metering' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the: