Saturday, 2 February 2013

Question Paper Analysis


If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                - Albert Einstein



Indian Economy is one of the important topics covered in General Studies paper in Civil services exam. It has importance in both preliminary and main exams. Here the questions from Indian Economy of the General Studies Paper I of Preliminary exam are analysed. The question from Indian Economy is not strictly from economy it is both from economy and socio economy of India. The socio economy means the economy related things which have social angle and societal implication. The major examples for these are Poverty and Poverty eradication programmes of Government of India. It has both social and economy angle.
There is no any standard pattern followed by UPSC in framing the questions. The number of questions and the nature of questions vary from year to year. This is not specific to Indian economy it applies to all subjects. But some faint conclusions can be derived by going through question papers from various years of examination.
As said above the questions are from economy and socio economy. The questions usually test the conceptual clarity and their awareness of current happening. Even the questions which test conceptual clarity somehow related to current happenings. For example a question in the preliminary exam of 2011 links common wealth Games which happened during 2010 with economy concept of external trade. This link is apparent but there are many questions which are indirectly linked. The questions from socio economy usually are about Government programmes. There are ‘n’ numbers of programmes. It is a bit difficult to know and keep in memory about all the programmes. So know about the programmes and schemes which are currently in the news. To put it in a nutshell have conceptual clarity and read newspaper regularly. Along with newspaper read Economic survey released by Government of India. If you are a regular reader of newspaper you are likely to have half of the Economic Survey at your hand before it is published. Once you read the book certainly you will have some conceptual clarity. This book is not panacea for all your need. But this book is really of great help.
In the following passage the question and answer analysis is given.




Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2011

1. India has experienced persistent and high food inflation in the recent past. What could be the reasons?
1. Due to a gradual switchover to the cultivation of commercial crops, the area under the cultivation of food grains has steadily decreased in the last five years by about 30%.
2. As a consequence of increasing incomes, the consumption patterns of the people have undergone a significant change.
3. The food supply chain has structural constraints.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and   only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b
Analysis:
This question is related to current affairs. In the recent past the food inflation is high. So this question was asked. Inflation is basically because of two reasons. One is due to supply shortage and another one is high demand. The above statements reflect either of these two. But to come to a clear conclusions that which one is reason for current high inflation facts are necessary. The first statement is wrong as it is not supported by facts. See the table 1.10. It doesn’t show any decline in the area under food grains. So the first statement is wrong. 
0001GS04-exp.jpg
Source: Economic Survey 2010-11
As the first statement is eliminated the obvious answer is b. But this elimination is not always possible. So consider the other two statements.  Yes there is a shift in the pattern of consumption of people. With increase in per capita income the consumption of protein food is increasing. And another reason often cited is that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme has increased disposable income in the hands of people. It led to higher consumption. The 2010-11 Economic Survey reads: “One popular explanation for suddenly rising prices of vegetables, spices, dairy, and similar products is rising incomes in India driving prices higher, as consumers are presumed to be shifting from low-value products to higher value ones (consistent with Engel’s Law). While this may certainly be true as a general demand-side explanation, it merits deeper examination….”
The third statement withstands by the fact that India experienced high Consumer Price Index based inflation which measures the inflation in retail market is high and Wholesale Price Index based inflation which measures the inflation in retail market is low. It means the products available at cheaper rate in whole market become costlier at retail market. This is because of bottlenecks in the free flow of products from whole sale market to retail market. This is an interpretation.
2. In terms of economy, the visit by foreign nationals to witness the XIX Common Wealth Games in India amounted to
(a) Export
(b) Import
(c) Production
(d) Consumption
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Answer: a

Analysis:
The visiting foreign nationals use the service provided by Indian nationals. The services they use are mostly related with tourism oriented services like hotel restaurant and travel. For these services they pay money. It means Indian nationals export the service.

To decide about export and import, see who pay the money and who receive the money out of product or service exchanged. Take an example. An Indian is flying from Mumbai to Amsterdam in Air France flight. He pays to French company. It means he imports service.
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3. Which one of the following statements appropriately describes the "fiscal stimulus"?
(a) It is a massive investment by the Government in manufacturing sector to ensure the supply of goods to meet the demand surge caused by rapid economic growth
(b) It is an intense affirmative action of the Government to boost economic activity in the country
(c) It is Government’s intensive action on financial institutions to ensure disbursement of loans to agriculture and allied sectors to promote greater food production and contain food inflation
(d) It is an extreme affirmative action by the Government to pursue its policy of financial inclusion
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Answer: b

Analysis:
This is a question related with economics concept. But this question was asked in the context of global recession of 2008 and subsequent period.
Fiscal stimulus is a budgetary measure. Fiscal stimulus aims at increasing investment and consumption in the economy which in turn increase GDP growth. This measure is usually taken to revive the economy from slow growth and recession. The investment and consumption is boosted by cut in import duty, excise duty and incentive to investors.
The first statement speaks about investment by government in the time of rapid economic growth. It doesn’t amount to fiscal stimulus. Surely, it is one of the fiscal policy/budgetary measure. But it is aimed at correcting structural imbalance not to stimulate the economy. 

The other two statements speak about monetary measure.
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4. Consider the following actions which the Government can take:
1. Devaluing the domestic currency.
2. Reduction in the export subsidy.
3. Adopting suitable policies which attract greater FDI and more funds from FIIs.
Which of the above actions can help in reducing the current account deficit?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3
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Answer: d

Analysis:
If import is greater than export the current account deficit arises. To reduce current account deficit the import should be reduced and export has to be increased.
Devaluing of domestic currency increases the export (to know how devaluation increases export, see page no: 108 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd Revised Edition).

Reduction in the export subsidy increases the price of export commodity so the export comes down. It will increase current account deficit.

Attracting FDI and FII increases capital flow. It doesn’t directly helps in reducing current account deficit. But it helps indirectly. FDI and FII helps in boosting investment in the country. It helps in domestic production of hitherto imported goods and contributes to export. So the current account deficit comes down.
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5. A rapid increase in the rate of inflation is sometimes attributed to the "base effect". What is "base effect"?
(a) It is the impact of drastic deficiency in supply due to failure of crops
(b) It is the impact of the surge in demand due to rapid economic growth
(c) It is the impact of the price levels of previous year on the calculation of inflation rate
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c)
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Answer:  c

Analysis:
It is a conceptual issue but was asked in the current context.
See page no: 100 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd Revised Edition.
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6. India is regarded as a country with "Demographic Dividend". This is due to
(a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years
(b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years
(c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years ·
(d) Its high total population
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Answer: b

Analysis:
Demographic dividend refers to benefit arises out of young working population of the country. The young working population actively engages in productive activities which in turn boosts economy.  The population in the age group of 15-64 is the working population.
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7. Which one of the following is not a feature of "Value Added Tax"?
(a) It is a multi-point destination-based system of taxation
(b) It is a tax levied on value addition at each stage of transaction in the production-distribution chain
(c) It is a tax on the final consumption of goods or services and must ultimately be borne by the consumer
(d) It is basically a subject of the Central Government and the State Governments are only a facilitator for its successful implementation
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Answer: d

Analysis:
The statement d is just opposite to what is true. It is basically state subject and the Central Government plays facilitating role.
To know more about VAT see page no: 43 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd Revised Edition
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8. A “closed economy" is an economy in which
(a) The money supply is fully controlled
(b) Deficit financing takes place
(c) Only exports take place
(d) Neither exports nor imports take place
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Answer: d

Analysis:
A closed economy solely relies on domestic resources and activities. It no way interacts with outside world in the economic arena.
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9. Both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) are related to investment in a country. Which one of the following statements best represents an important difference between the two?
(a) FII helps bring better management skills and technology, while FDI only brings in capital
(b) FII helps in increasing capital availability in general, while FDI only targets specific sectors
(c) FDI flows only into the secondary market, while FII targets primary market
(d) FII is considered to be more stable than FDI
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Answer: b

Analysis:
FDI is direct investment in a company. It brings better technology and managerial skill. FII investment happens in secondary market. Both FDI and FII make capital availability in the country. FII considered volatile as they sell their shares in secondary and move away with money if they find something unusual. They are sensitive to even small matters.  So they are more volatile.
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10. With reference to "Aam Admi Bima Yojana", consider the following statements:
1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or an earning member of the family in a rural landless house hold.
2. The member insured must be in the age group of 30 to 65 years.
3. There is a provision for free scholarship for up to two children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: c

Analysis:
The scheme was launched in Oct 2, 2007. The eligible age group is 18 to 59 years. So the second statement is wrong. If this information is known the choices b and d can be eliminated.
Though this scheme was launched in 2007 it is possible to see at least a reference about scheme in newspapers. It is better to study a bit of background information when such reference appears in the newspapers.
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11. With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of "Mega Food Parks"?
1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
3. To provide emerging and eco- friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: b

Analysis:
The Scheme of Food Parks launched in the 10th Five Year Plan has been revised and reformulated as Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS) for the 11th Five Year Plan period.
It is also like SEZ aims at creating infrastructure and increase export. It doesn’t provide any technologies to entrepreneur. Its mandate is to give grant for the development of Park.
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12. Microfinance is the provision of financial services to people of low-income groups. This includes both the consumers and the self—employed. The service/ services rendered under micro finance is / are:
1. Credit facilities
2. Savings facilities
3. Insurance facilities
4. Fund Transfer facilities
Select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: d
Analysis:
Micro finance like all other finance services provides most of the facilities. But the size of the service and target group is smaller and narrow.
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13. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the "Mahatma Gandhi -National Rural Employment Guarantee Act?
(a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households.
(b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
(c) Adult members of households of all backward communities
(d) Adult members of any household
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Answer: d

Analysis:
This flagship programme of the Government of India aims at enhancing livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. (Economic Survey: 2010-11 p.300)
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14. Regarding the International Monetary Fund, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) It can grant loans to any country
(b) It can grant loans to only developed countries .
(c) It grants loans to only member countries
(d) It can grant loans to the central bank of a country
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Answer: c

Analysis:
A core responsibility of the IMF is to provide loans to member countries experiencing actual or potential balance of payments problems. This financial assistance enables countries to rebuild their international reserves, stabilize their currencies, continue paying for imports, and restore conditions for strong economic growth, while undertaking policies to correct underlying problems. Unlike development banks, the IMF does not lend for specific projects.
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15. Why- is the offering of "teaser loans" by commercial banks a cause of economic concern?
1. The teaser loans are considered to be an aspect of sub-prime lending and banks may be exposed to the risk of defaulters in future.
2. In India, the teaser loans are mostly given to inexperienced entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing or export units;
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ‘?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: a

Analysis:
Teaser means attractive. The home loans provided by banks had a unique blend of fixed interest rate in the initial years and floating rates in the subsequent years. In initial years the interest is low but later it may go up depending upon the prevailing money market condition. The increased interest burden may lead to default in the future. So RBI cautioned banks.

This also related to current event.
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16. In the context of Indian economy, consider the following statements:
1. The growth rate of GDP has steadily increased in the last five years.
2. The growth rate in per capita income has steadily increased in the last five years.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both l and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: d

Analysis:
There is a slight fluctuation in the GDP and per capita income in the last five years. It is clear from the following table.

Year
 GDP growth (1999-00 prices)
Per capita NNP (1999-00 prices)
05-06
06-07
07-08
08-09 (provisional estimate)
09-10 (quick estimate)

9.5
9.6
9.3
6.8
8.0
7.8
7.9
8.1
4.8
6.1
Source: economic Survey 2010-11

Though the answer here is supported by five year statistics it is not necessary that anybody should know all these at ready hand. Even if two years growth rate is known the question can be answered. For that reading of newspaper is enough.
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17. In India, which of the following have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities?
(a) Commercial Banks
(b) Cooperative Banks
(c) Regional Rural Banks
(d) Microfinance Institutions
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Answer: a

Analysis:
The share of Commercial bank is around 75% Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks is 15% and 10% respectively. The early start of Commercial banks and their presence all over the country with a large number of branches helps in keeping its dominant position even though special institutions like cooperatives and RRBs to lend agriculture has been set up.
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18. Which of the following can aid in furthering the Government’s objective of inclusive growth?
1. Promoting Self-Help Groups
2. Promoting 'Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
3. Implementing the Right to Education Act
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1,2and 3
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Answer:  d

Analysis:
Inclusive growth means making economic growth benefits available to all especially to hitherto excluded section. This has to be achieved by including them in the growth process and enable them to make effective contribution to growth and get their return in turn.
So, all these three can aid in furthering the Government’s objective of inclusive growth.
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19. Why is the Government of India disinvesting its equity in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSES)?
1. The Government intends to use the revenue earned from the disinvestment mainly to pay back the external t debt.
2. The Government no longer intends to retain the management control of the CPSEs.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: d

Analysis:
The recent policy stance of the government is that the people have the right to own a part of CPSEs. And the government wants to hold at least 51% of ownership of the CPSEs.
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20. Economic growth is usually coupled with
(a) Deflation
(b) Inflation
(c) Stagflation 
(d) Hyperinflation
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Answer: b

Analysis:
In the condition of inflation there is an incentive to produce more and grow when it is moderate. To know how read ‘effect of inflation’ in page no 96 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd Revised Edition.

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21. The lowering of Bank Rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to
(a) More liquidity in the market
(b) Less liquidity in the market
(c) No change in the liquidity in the market
(d) Mobilization of more deposits by commercial banks

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Answer: a
Analysis:
To know how read page no 54 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd Revised Edition
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Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012

1. The endeavour of ‘Janani Suraksha Yojana’ Programme is
1. To promote institutional deliveries
2. To provide monetary assistance to the mother to meet the cost of delivery
3. To provide for wage loss due to pregnancy and confinement
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: a
Analysis:
It is aimed at better health care rather than financial assistance. Therefore, the third statement is wrong.
JSY integrates the cash assistance with antenatal care during the pregnancy period, institutional care during delivery and immediate post-partum period in a health centre by establishing a system of coordinated care by field level health worker.  The JSY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme.
All pregnant women belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) households and of the age of 19 years or above is the target group. The cash assistance is given up to two live births
But the benefits would be extended to all women from BPL families of 10 low performing states namely 8 EAG states (Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa) and the states of Assam and J&K even after the third live birth if the mother, of her own accord chooses to undergo sterilization in the health facility where she delivered, immediately after the delivery.

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2. Consider the following
1. Hotels and restaurants
2. Motor transport undertakings
3. Newspaper establishments
4. Private medical institutions
The employees of which of the above can have the ‘Social Security’ coverage under Employees’ State Insurance Scheme ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: d

Analysis:
The Act applies, in the first instance, to, non-seasonal factories employing 10 or more persons.  The provisions of the Act are being extended area-wise by stages.  The Act contains an enabling provision under which the "appropriate government" is empowered to extend the  provisions of the Act to other classes of establishments - industrial, commercial, agricultural or other-wise.  Under these provisions most of the State Governments have extended the provisions of the Act to new classes of establishments namely: shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas including preview theatres, road-motor transport undertakings and newspaper establishments employing 20 or more coverable employees. (Source:  Standard Note on Employees’ State Insurance Scheme as on 01.01.11 available at http://esic.nic.in/CIRCULARS/standardnote010111230911.pdf)
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3. How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?
1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.
2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.
3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.
4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: b

Analysis:
The excerpt from Report of the Committee on Restructuring of DRDA reads:  “Right from the beginning, DRDAs were not intended to be implementing agencies. They were to function as professional bodies to be in overall charge of planning, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes and also coordination with different agencies.”
The Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) had in 2011 constituted a Committee on Restructuring of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) under the chairmanship of Shri V Ramchandran. In this current context this question may be asked.
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4. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers’ bank. This would imply which of the following?
1. Other banks retain their deposits with the RBI.
2. The RBI lends funds to the commercial banks in times of need.
3. The RBI advises the commercial banks on monetary matters.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: b

Analysis:
To know more read page no: 53 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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5. Under which of the following circumstances may ‘capital gains’ arise ?
1. When there is an increase in the sales of a product
2. When there is a natural increase in the value of the property owned.
3. When you purchase a painting and there is a growth in its value due to increase in its popularity
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: b
Analysis:
Capital gain means increase in the value of property. The difference between the selling price and purchase price is called capital gain. This question may be asked in the background of Vodafone tax controversy.
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 6. Which of the following measures would result in an increase in the money supply in the economy?
1. Purchase of government securities from the public by the Central Bank.
2. Deposit of currency in commercial banks by the public
3. Borrowing by the government from the Central Bank
4. Sale of government securities to the public by the Central Bank

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: c
Analysis:
Purchase and sale of Government securities by RBI is called Open Market Operation (OMO). When RBI purchases Government securities it gives money to public against the purchase. This increases the money supply.
The government spends the money borrowed. This also increases the money supply.
 When public deposit money in the bank that money is taken out of the market so money supply comes down.
To know more read Methods of credit control in page no 53 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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7. Which of the following would include Foreign Direct Investment in India?
1. Subsidiaries of foreign companies in India
2. Majority foreign equity holding in Indian companies
3. Companies exclusively financed by foreign companies
4. Portfolio investment

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
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Answer: d
Analysis:
If the difference between FDI and FII is known it is easy to answer this question. The same question, in different way, was asked in 2011 exam also.
To know more read Foreign Investments in page no 53 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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8. Consider the following statements:
The price of any currency in international market is decided by the
1. World Bank
2. Demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned
3. Stability of the government of the concerned country
4. Economic potential of the country in question

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 4 only
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Answer: b

Analysis:
The exchange rate is decided by both economic and non-economic factors. Basically economic factor decide the exchange rate and political factor has role in the volatility of exchange rate. The economic factor is demand for and supply of currency in the foreign exchange market. The currency is demanded to purchase goods and services or for investment purpose.  So if there is a strong demand for goods and service of the country concerned there is a strong demand for currency also. Then the exchange rate will be stronger. The vice versa is also true.
If political stability is there the foreign investment will be high so is the exchange rate.

To know more about exchange rate see page no 107 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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9. The basic aim of Lead Bank Scheme is that
(a) Big banks should try to open offices in each district
(b) There should be stiff competition among the various nationalized banks
(c) Individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development
(d) All the banks make intensive efforts to mobilize deposits
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Answer: c

Analysis:
This is simple factual question.

To know more about Lead bank Scheme read page no 67 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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10. Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of ‘Inclusive Governance’?
1. Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking
2. Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts
3. Increasing the government spending on public health
4. Strengthening the Mid-day Meal scheme

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: d

Analysis:
The UNDP publication ‘Towards Inclusive Governance Promoting the Participation of Disadvantaged Groups in Asia-Pacific’ reads: “To be inclusive is a core value of democratic governance, in terms of equal participation, equal treatment and equal rights before the law. This implies that all people – including the poor, women, ethnic and religious minorities, indigenous peoples and other disadvantaged groups – have the right to participate meaningfully in governance processes and influence decisions that affect them. It also means that governance institutions and policies are accessible, accountable and responsive to disadvantaged groups, protecting their interests and providing diverse populations with equal opportunities for public services such as justice, health and education”

In the light off the above definition all the four points form part of inclusive governance. Permitting Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking helps in financial inclusion as more players will come into banking and compete. Establishing effective District Planning committees helps people to participate in planning and implementation of socio economic programmes. Increasing government spending on health increases the accessibility of health service to all. Strengthening Mid-day Meal scheme increases school enrolment and retention ratio.
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11. With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of ‘ASHA’, a trained community health worker?
1. Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup
2. Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy
3. Providing information on nutrition and immunization
4. Conducting the delivery of baby

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: c
Analysis:
ASHAs are community health care workers. They are not trained medical personnel. So, they are not mandated to do delivery.
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 12. How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor?
1. By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres in rural areas
2. By strengthening ‘self-help groups’ and providing skill development
3. By supplying seeds, fertilizers, diesel pump-sets and micro irrigation equipment free of cost to farmers
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
======================================================================Answer: b

Analysis:
The NRLM aims at providing skill and credit facilities to rural households through Self Help Groups. 
The Economic survey 2011-12 reads: “The SGSY has now been restructured as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). The NRLM aims at reducing poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. This should result in appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis through building strong and sustainable grassroots institutions. The salient features of the NRLM are: (a) at least one member from each identified rural poor household, preferably a woman, to be brought under the SHG network in a time-bound manner, the ultimate target being100 per cent coverage of BPL families; (b) setting up of strong institutions of the poor such as SHGs for reducing dependence on external agencies; (c) a multipronged approach envisaged for continuous capacity building of the targeted families, SHGs, their federations, government functionaries, bankers, NGOs, and other key stakeholders; (d) subsidy to be available in the form of revolving fund and capital subsidy as an incentive for inculcating the habit of thrift and accumulation of their own funds towards meeting their credit needs in the long run and immediate consumption needs in the short run; (e) to work towards universal financial inclusion beyond basic banking services to all poor households, SHGs, and their federations on both the demand and supply sides of financial inclusion; (f) in order to ensure affordable credit, the NRLM has a provision for subsidy on interest rates above 7 per cent per annum for all eligible SHGs who have availed of loans from mainstream financial institutions, based on prompt loan repayment; (g) to look at stabilizing and enhancing existing livelihoods and subsequently diversifying them; (h) to develop backward and  forward linkages and support business plans; (i) to pursue skill up gradation and placement projects through partnership mode, with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) being one of the leading partners in this effort and 15 per cent of the central allocation under the NRLM earmarked for this purpose; and (j) 5 per cent of the central allocation to be earmarked for innovations.”
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13. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following?
1. Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at household level
2. Purchasing power parity at national level
3. Extent of budget deficit and GDP growth rate at national level

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: a

Analysis:
The Multi-dimensional Poverty was introduced from 2010 in the UNDP Human development report. It measures the deprivation rather than achievements.
To know more read page no 17 of Indian Economy Key Concepts 2nd revised edition.
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14. Which of the following is/are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?
1. A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to adherence to the proposed design
2. A design for the creation of lakhs of jobs in the next ten years in consonance with India’s demographic dividend
3. Devolution of a specified share of central taxes to local bodies as grants

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: c

Analysis:
Creation of job and other socio economic issues are mandate of Planning Commission. The Finance Commission mostly concentrates on Public finance matters and other issues that have fiscal implications.
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15. What is/are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing sector?
1. Setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones
2. Providing the benefits of ‘single window clearance’
3. Establishing the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: d

Analysis:
All these three are part of the National Manufacturing Policy. It was approved on 25th October 2011. The National Manufacturing Policy is aimed at increasing the share manufacturing sector contribution from 16% to 25 % by 2025.
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16. In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core
Industries have a combined weight of 37.90%. Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries?
1. Cement
2. Fertilizers
3. Natural gas
4. Refinery products
5. Textiles

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
======================================================================Answer: c
Analysis:
The index of industrial production measures the industrial output. Among industries included in this index 8 industries are designated as core industries or infrastructure industries. They are crude oil, petroleum refinery products, natural gas, fertilisers, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel.
The index of Industrial Production is periodically published in the newspaper. A constant reading of newspaper would help in answering these types of questions.
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