Indian Economy MCQs
Indian Economy Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for SSC, State and all One Day Examinations of India. Objective Questions on Indian Economy for competitive examinations.
1. During inflation, how do banks usually set their loan prices?
[A] A decreasing trend
[B] Constant level
[C] No relation to inflation
[D] An increasing trend
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [An increasing trend]
Notes:
Inflation reduces currency purchasing power and drives general price increases. Banks respond by raising loan prices due to higher costs, including increased wages and operational expenditures. Central banks often hike interest rates during inflation to control rising prices. Higher interest rates result in increased loan pricing by banks to maintain profit margins.
2. Which is the largest source of irrigation in India after rainfall?
[A] Canals
[B] Rivers
[C] Tanks
[D] Tubewells
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tubewells]
Notes:
Tubewells provide the highest share of irrigation among artificial sources in India after rainfall. According to the 2015-16 Agricultural Census, tubewells accounted for about 46% of the net irrigated area. Tubewell irrigation is most prevalent in northern Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Canals, rivers, and tanks contribute comparatively less to the total irrigated area.
3. Which tax is levied and collected by local bodies in India?
[A] Entertainment tax
[B] Income tax
[C] Corporation tax
[D] Customs duty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Entertainment tax]
Notes:
Article 243X of the Indian Constitution allows State Legislatures to empower local bodies to levy taxes such as entertainment tax. Income tax, corporation tax, and customs duty are Union taxes exclusively collected by the central government. Entertainment tax is assigned to municipalities or local authorities under state law for collection and appropriation.
4. In which year did the Balance of Payments (BOP) crisis occur in the Indian economy?
[A] 1990
[B] 1991
[C] 1995
[D] 1999
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1991]
Notes:
The Balance of Payments (BOP) crisis struck India in 1991. This triggered an economic crisis due to escalating oil prices, inflation and low foreign exchange reserves, which beleaguered India’s ability of import payments. Repercussions included severe rupee devaluation. The crisis incited economic liberalization, lowering of import tariffs and eased foreign exchange restrictions. With help from International Monetary Fund and other organizations, India managed to stabilize its situation, highlighting the necessity for constant economic overhauls to sustain financial equilibrium.
5. What are the General Anti-Avoidance Rules?
[A] GAAR is a set of rules aimed at curbing aggressive tax planning
[B] GAAR is a set of rules aimed at curbing money laundering by Indians to Foreign countries
[C] GAAR is a set of rules aimed at regulating investments by Indians in foreign Countries
[D] GAAR is a set of rules aimed at regulating investments by Foreigners in India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [GAAR is a set of rules aimed at curbing aggressive tax planning]
Notes:
General Anti-Avoidance Rule or GAAR is a broad set of rules aimed at curbing aggressive tax planning. These rules will empower tax authorities to disregard any arrangement if its main purpose is to obtain tax benefit. The arrangement as a whole or in part may be disregarded and tax benefit denied.
6. What is the main goal of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme?
[A] Provide employment to urban workers
[B] Ensure food security for the poorest
[C] Subsidize inputs for marginal farmers
[D] Distribute cash to BPL households
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ensure food security for the poorest]
Notes:
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana was launched in December 2000 by the Government of India. Its objective is to provide food security to the poorest of the poor identified under the Targeted Public Distribution System. Eligible families receive 35 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidized prices—rice at ₹3/kg and wheat at ₹2/kg. This scheme operates nationwide.
7. In what form do banks maintain CRR with the RBI?
[A] Cash
[B] Government Securities
[C] Gold
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cash]
Notes:
CRR requires banks to hold a specified percentage of their deposits as liquid cash with RBI; no securities or gold are allowed.
8. What does financial inclusion primarily refer to in India?
[A] Affordable financial services
[B] Affordable ration
[C] Affordable housing
[D] Affordable education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Affordable financial services]
Notes:
Financial inclusion in India refers to providing affordable financial services such as payments, savings, credit, and insurance. The Reserve Bank of India has promoted financial inclusion through initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana, launched in 2014, to increase banking penetration and usage. Financial inclusion is essential in India’s economic and social policy frameworks as per RBI guidelines and government mandates.
9. If capital stock is everlasting, what is the depreciation rate? (UPSC Prelims 1991)
[A] Zero
[B] High
[C] Low
[D] Infinite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zero]
Notes:
Everlasting capital stock does not lose value or efficiency, so the depreciation rate is zero as no part decreases in utility or worth over time.
10. Which one of the following statements regarding the levying, collecting and distribution of Income Tax is correct? (UPSC Prelims 1999)
[A] The Union levies, collects and distributes the proceeds of income-tax between itself and the States
[B] The Union levies, collects and keeps all the proceeds of income-tax to itself
[C] The Union levies and collects the tax but all the proceeds are distributed among the States
[D] Only the surcharge levied on income-tax is shared between the Union and the States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The Union levies, collects and distributes the proceeds of income-tax between itself and the States]
Notes:
Article 270 permitted mandatory sharing of the net proceeds of income tax levied and collected by the Union with the States. Such proceeds assigned to States did not form part of the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 272 provided for sharing of Union excise duties, if Parliament by law so provided.
