Public finance, budget and deficits — UPSC Prelims PYQs

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

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?

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. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements: 1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament. 2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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?

With reference to the Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill. 2. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill; it can only make recommendations. 3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for the Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for the Finance Bill. How many of the above statements are correct?

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 expenditures. 2. Debt financing is considered capital expenditure, while equity financing is considered revenue expenditure. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to 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?

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

Which of the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?

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 Select the correct answer using the code given below.

In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? 1. Housing loans owed by households 2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards 3. Treasury bills Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 is mandated by:

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

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 are issued at a discount from the par value. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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?

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machinery, etc. 2. Loans received from foreign governments 3. Loans and advances granted to the States and Union Territories Select the correct answer using the code given below.

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing revenue expenditure 2. Introducing new welfare schemes 3. Rationalising subsidies 4. Reducing import duty Select the correct answer using the code given below.

What is/are the purpose/purposes of the Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme’? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy. 2. To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector 3. To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing revenue expenditure 2. Introducing new welfare schemes 3. Rationalising subsidies 4. Expanding industries Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to Indian economy, consider the following: 1. Bank rate 2. Open market operations 3. Public debt 4. Public Revenue Which of the above is/are component/components of Monetary Policy?

With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of the Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament. 2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India. 3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure? 1. Defence expenditure 2. Interest payments 3. Salaries and pensions 4. Subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below.

In India, deficit financing is used for raising resources for:

The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from:

All revenues received by the Union Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the:

Which one of the following statements appropriately describes the “fiscal stimulus”?

What is the difference between “vote-on-account” and “interim budget”? 1. The provision of a “vote-on-account” is used by a regular Government, while an “interim budget” is a provision used by a caretaker Government. 2. A “vote-on-account” only deals with the expenditure in the Government’s budget, while an “interim budget” includes both expenditure and receipts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?