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Basic Economic Concepts

Asked 21 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2024

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All 21 questions

Newest first — expand for options, answers, and explanations

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?

2024Economy
AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four

Explanation

Physical capital in the Indian economy refers to assets like machinery, tools, equipment, etc., used in production. Farmer's plough and computer are examples of fixed capital as they are long-term assets used repeatedly in production processes. Yarn used by the weaver and petrol are considered working capital as they are consumed in the production process.

Consider the investments in the following assets: 1. Brand recognition 2. Inventory 3. Intellectual property 4. Mailing list of clients. How many of the above are considered intangible investments?

2023Economy
AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four

Explanation

Brand recognition, inventory, and intellectual property are considered intangible investments because they lack physical substance and are not easily quantifiable. These assets derive their value from their non-physical attributes such as reputation, innovation, and customer relationships, making them crucial for a company's competitive advantage and long-term success.

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: 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?

2023Economy
ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Explanation

India's share in global exports of goods is around 1.7%, not 3.2%. However, the 'Production-linked Incentive' scheme in India has indeed attracted both local and foreign companies to invest in manufacturing sectors by offering incentives based on production targets.

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. An increase in Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of 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?

2022Economy
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

An increase in Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of the rupee because NEER measures the value of a country's currency against a basket of other currencies. An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) as REER adjusts NEER for relative price levels, affecting trade competitiveness.

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.

2022Economy
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India are allowed to offer their platforms as marketplaces but are restricted in owning big sellers on their platforms. This limitation aims to prevent unfair practices and ensure a level playing field for all sellers on the platform.

Which of the following activities constitute real sector in the economy? 1. Farmers harvesting their crops 2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics 3. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company 4. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas

2022Economy
A1 and 2 only
B2, 3 and 4 only
C1, 3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Farmers harvesting their crops and textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics are activities that directly involve the production of goods, making them part of the real sector in the economy. On the other hand, a commercial bank lending money and a corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas are financial activities that fall under the financial sector, not the real sector.

With reference to the expenditure made by an organisation or a company, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Acquiring new technology is capital expenditure. 2. Debt financing is considered capital expenditure while equity financing is considered revenue expenditure.

2022Economy
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Acquiring new technology is considered capital expenditure because it leads to long-term benefits and enhances the productive capacity of the organization. Capital expenditures are investments in assets that are expected to provide benefits beyond the current fiscal year.

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 income of the consumers increases 4. its price falls. Which of the above statements are correct?

2021Economy
A1 and 4 only
B2 3 and 4
C1 3 and 4
D1 2 and 3

Explanation

When the price of a substitute for a good increases, consumers tend to shift towards the cheaper good, leading to an increase in the demand for the original good. Similarly, when the price of a good falls, it becomes relatively cheaper compared to substitutes, leading to an increase in demand. Therefore, statements 1 and 4 are correct in explaining the factors that can influence the market demand for a good.

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?

2021Economy
A1 2 and 3
B3 only
C2 and 4
D1 and 4

Explanation

Foreign currency convertible bonds, foreign institutional investment with certain conditions, and global depository receipts can be included in Foreign Direct Investments. These instruments involve foreign entities making investments in a country with the intention of having a significant influence on the management of the invested entity.

Consider the following statements: The effect of 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 domestic currency 3. improves the trade balance. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

2021Economy
A1 only
B1 and 2
C3 only
D2 and 3

Explanation

Devaluation of a currency makes domestic exports cheaper in foreign markets, thereby improving their competitiveness. This is because the devalued currency makes the goods relatively cheaper for foreign buyers when compared to goods from countries with stronger currencies.

Considering the following statements: 1. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates are calculated by 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?

2019Economy
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

When comparing currencies using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), the exchange rates are determined based on the prices of a standard basket of goods and services in different countries. India ranks as the sixth largest economy globally when measured in PPP dollars. Therefore, the correct statement is that only statement 1 is accurate.

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

2018Economy
Aweak administrative machinery
Billiteracy
Chigh population density
Dhigh capital-output ratio

Explanation

In the Indian economy, despite having a high rate of saving, the process of capital formation may not lead to a significant rise in output due to factors like weak administrative systems, illiteracy, and high population density. The correct option in this scenario is high capital-output ratio (d). The Capital Output Ratio (ICOR) is a metric that indicates the percentage increase in capital formation needed to achieve a specific percentage increase in GDP.

A "closed economy'' is an economy in which?

2011Economy
AThe money supply is fully controlled.
BDeficit financing takes place.
COnly exports take place.
DNeither exports nor imports take place.

Explanation

In a closed economy, there is no trade or business conducted with other economies. It is self-reliant, meaning it does not import any goods or export any goods. The objective is to meet all consumer needs from resources within the economy's boundaries.

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is available on a monthly basis only. 2. As compared to Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPIIW), the WPI gives less weight to food articles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2010Economy
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In India, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is published monthly, while the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPIIW) is published more frequently. The WPI places less emphasis on food items compared to the CPIIW. This means that statement 2 is correct.

In the parlance of financial investments, the term 'bear' denotes

2010Economy
AAn investor who feels that the price of a particular security is going to fall
BAn investor who expects the price of particular shares to rise
CA shareholder or a bondholder who, has an interest in a company, financial or otherwise
DAny lender whether by making a loan or buying a bond

Explanation

The term 'bear' in financial investments refers to an investor who believes that the price of a specific security will decrease. This investor sells shares with the expectation of buying them back at a lower price to make a profit.

Match List I with List II: List-I: A. Boom, B. Recession, C. Depression, D. Recovery. List-II: 1. Business activity at high level with increasing income, output and employment at macro level, 2. Gradual fall of income, output and employment with business activity in a low gear, 3. Unprecedented level of under employment, and unemployment, drastic fall in income output and employment, 4. Steady rise in the general level of prices, income, output and employment.

2000Economy
AA-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
BA-1; B-2; C-4; D-3
CA-2; B-1; C-4; D-3
DA-2; B-1; C-3; D-4

Explanation

In the Indian Economy, a Boom signifies a phase of high business activity with increased income, output, and employment on a macro level. Recession refers to a gradual decline in income, output, and employment with business activity slowing down. Depression indicates an unprecedented level of underemployment and unemployment, leading to a drastic fall in income, output, and employment. Economic Recovery is characterized by a steady rise in prices, income, output, and employment, signaling the end of a recession.

Assertion (A): Devaluation of a currency may promote export. Reason (R): Price of the country's products in the international market may fall due to devaluation.

1999Economy
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

Devaluation of a currency is a purposeful reduction in the value of a country's currency compared to another currency. When a currency is devalued, the country's products become more affordable for foreign buyers, thus making them more competitive in the global market.

A consumer is said to be in equilibrium, if:

1998Economy
Ahe is able to fulfil his need with a given level of income
Bhe is able to live in full comforts with a given level of income
Che can fulfil his needs without consumption of certain items
Dhe is able to locate new sources of income

Explanation

In the context of the Indian economy, a consumer is considered to be in equilibrium when he believes that he cannot alter his situation by increasing his earnings, spending more, or adjusting the quantities of goods he purchases.

The supply-side economics lays greater emphasis on the point of view of:

1998Economy
Aproducer
Bglobal economy
Cconsumer
Dmiddle-man

Explanation

Supply-side economics is a theory in economics that suggests that the most effective way to stimulate economic growth is by reducing obstacles for individuals to create goods and services and invest in capital. It focuses on the perspective of the producer, emphasizing the importance of promoting increased production and investment in order to drive economic expansion.

The current Price Index (base 1960) is nearly 330. This means that the price of:

1998Economy
Aall items cost 3.3 times more than what they did in 1960
Bthe price of certain selected items have gone upto 3.3 times
Cweighted mean of price of certain items has increased 3.3 times
Dgold price has gone up 3.3 times

Explanation

In the context of the Indian economy, the current Price Index (with a base year of 1960) stands at around 330. This signifies that the weighted mean of the prices of certain items has increased by approximately 3.3 times since 1960.

The main reason for low growth rate in India, inspite of high rate of savings and capital formation is:

1995Economy
Ahigh birth rate
Blow level of foreign and
Clow capital output ratio
Dhigh capital output ratio

Explanation

In India, despite having a high rate of savings and capital formation, the growth rate remains low mainly due to a high capital output ratio. The capital output ratio indicates the amount of capital required to produce one unit of output. A lower ratio signifies higher productivity of capital and technological advancement, which are essential for economic growth.