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Economy

Asked 21 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2019

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

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

Explanation

In the Indian economy, most of the external debt is actually taken on by private sector entities through external commercial borrowing (ECB), making the first statement incorrect. The second statement is also incorrect as not all of India's external debt is in US dollars. According to the Economic Survey 2016-17, US dollar denominated debt made up 55.6% of India's total external debt as of September 2016, followed by Indian rupee, SDR, Japanese Yen, and others. Therefore, the correct answer is option (d) - Neither 1 nor 2.

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

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

Explanation

The statement that most of India's external debt is owed by government entities is incorrect. In reality, the majority of the external debt is held by the private sector through external commercial borrowing (ECB). Additionally, while a significant portion of India's external debt is denominated in US dollars, it is not the case that all of it is in US dollars.

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi 2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis 3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2018Economy
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The Government of India nationalized the coal sector during Indira Gandhi's tenure. Currently, coal blocks are allocated through a lottery system. Until recently, India imported coal to fulfill its shortages. All three statements are correct, making option (d) - 1, 2, and 3 - the correct answer.

Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India? 1. Dadabhai Naoroji 2. G. Subramania Iyer 3. R. C. Dutt Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2015Economy
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Among the individuals who criticized colonialism's economic impact in India were Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramania Iyer, and R. C. Dutt. They played a significant role in shaping Indian nationalism by creating the world's initial economic critique of colonial rule.

What does venture capital mean?

2014Economy
AA short-term capital provided to industries
BA long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
CFunds provided to industries at times of incurring losses
DFunds provided for replacement and renovation of industries

Explanation

Venture capital refers to long-term financial support given to new entrepreneurs or start-up companies in their early stages of development, with high growth potential.

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:

2012Economy
A1, 2, 3 and 4
B2 and 4 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India can be seen in subsidiaries of foreign companies, majority foreign ownership in Indian companies, and companies exclusively funded by foreign entities. It differs from Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), which involves investing in financial assets like stocks or bonds in a foreign nation.

In the context of global economy, which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

2009Economy
AJP Morgan Chase : Financial Services
BRoche Holding AG : Financial Services
CWL Ross & Co. : Private Equity Firm
DWarburg Pincus : Private Equity Firm

Explanation

In the global economy, which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched? (a) JP Morgan Chase: Financial Services (b) Roche Holding AG: Financial Services (c) WL Ross & Co.: Private Equity Firm (d) Warburg Pincus: Private Equity Firm. The correct answer is (b). JP Morgan Chase is an investment banking company, Roche Holding AG is a health care company, WL Ross & Co. is a private equity firm, and Warburg Pincus is also a private equity firm.

Participatory Notes (PNs) are associated with which one of the following?

2007Economy
AConsolidated Fund of India
BForeign Institutional Investors
CUnited Nations Development Programme
DKyoto Protocol

Explanation

Participatory Notes (PNs) are instruments utilized by investors or hedge funds not registered with the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to invest in Indian securities. This option is associated with Foreign Institutional Investors.

What is IndoNext which was launched in January, 2005?

2006Economy
AA new scheme to promote Indian tourism.
BA new scheme to promote export of Indian handicrafts.
CAn association of the Non-Resident Indians to organize Bhartiya Divas every year in India.
DAn alternative trading platform being promoted by the Mumbai Stock Exchange and Regional Stock Exchanges.

Explanation

The initiative called IndoNext, launched in January 2005, is an alternative trading platform promoted by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Regional Stock Exchanges (RSEs).

Consider the following statements: 1. In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of about 60% 2. The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of about 28% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002. Which of these statements is/are not correct?

2003Economy
AOnly 1
BOnly 2
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In the year 2001-2002, the software and service industry in India experienced a growth of 26% in rupee terms.

Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India?

2003Economy
AThe Foreign Exchange Regulating Act (FERA) was replaced by Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in the year 2001
BFERA was given a sunset clause of one year till 31st May, 2002 to enable Enforcement Directorate to complete the investigation of pending issues
CUnder FEMA, violation of foreign exchange rules has ceased to be a criminal offence
DAs per the new dispensation, Enforcement Directorate can arrest and prosecute the people for the violation of foreign exchange rule

Explanation

The correct statement regarding FEMA in India is that under this law, violation of foreign exchange rules is no longer considered a criminal offense. The Foreign Exchange Regulating Act (FERA) was replaced by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) on 1 June, 2000. FERA was provided a sunset clause of one year until 31 May, 2002.

Among the following major stock exchanges of India, the exchange which recorded highest turnover during the year 2000-01 is:

2002Economy
ABombay Stock Exchange
BCalcutta Stock Exchange
CDelhi Stock Exchange
DNational Stock Exchange

Explanation

In the fiscal year 2000-01, the Bombay Stock Exchange had the highest turnover among the major stock exchanges in India. Specifically, it represented 46.1% of total contracts and 41.1% of total turnover in the derivative segment for that year.

India's external debt increased from US $ 91,158 million as at the end of March 2000 to US $ 100,225 million as at the end of March 2001 due to increase in:

2002Economy
Amultilateral and bilateral debt
Brupee debt
Ccommercial borrowings
Dborrowings from International Monetary Fund

Explanation

India's external debt rose from US $91,158 million in March 2000 to US $100,225 million in March 2001 primarily because of a surge in multilateral and bilateral debt.

In the year 2001, the Prime Minister announced a five year excise duty holiday for industries in:

2002Economy
Acyclone prone coastal Andhra Pradesh
Bborder states of North-East
Cearthquake ravaged Kutch district
Drecently formed states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

Explanation

In 2001, the Prime Minister declared a five-year excise duty break for industries in the Kutch district of Gujarat, which had been severely affected by an earthquake.

In the year 2001, Germany approved a $ 32 million credit to India:

2002Economy
Ato promote primary education in select states
Bfor Tehri dam project
Cto assist in the development of nuclear power generation projects
Dfor oceanographic research

Explanation

In 2001, Germany provided India with a $32 million credit specifically designated for oceanographic research.

Global capital flows to developing countries increased significantly during the nineties. In view of the East Asian financial crisis and Latin American experience, which type of inflow is good for the host country?

2002Economy
ACommercial loans
BForeign Direct Investment
CForeign Portfolio Investment
DExternal Commercial borrowings

Explanation

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to when a foreign company invests in establishing a project in another country. FDI involves a long-term commitment and cannot be withdrawn quickly. Additionally, FDI does not create debt for the host country.

A country is said to be a debt trap if:

2002Economy
Ait has to borrow to make interest payments on outstanding loans
BIt has to abide by the conditionalities imposed by the International Monetary fund
Cit has been refused loans or aid by creditors abroad
Dthe World Bank charges a very high rate of interest on outstanding as well as new loans

Explanation

Poverty Planning Question: What defines a country as being in a debt trap? Options: (a) needing to borrow to cover interest payments on existing loans (b) being required to meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (c) facing rejection for loans or aid from foreign creditors (d) incurring high interest charges from the World Bank on both existing and new loans Correct: (a) Original: Debt Trap occurs when a country takes on additional debt to repay its current debts. Rewritten: A country falls into a debt trap when it must borrow money to pay off the interest on its current loans.

A rise in 'SENSEX' means:

2000Economy
Aa rise in prices of shares of all companies registered with Bombay Stock Exchange
Ba rise in prices of shares of all companies registered with National Stock Exchange
Can overall rise in prices of shares of group up companies registered with Bombay Stock Exchange
Da rise in prices of shares of all companies belonging to a group of companies registered with Bombay Stock Exchange

Explanation

When the SENSEX goes up, it indicates the general sentiment of the economy. If it increases, it shows that investors and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have a positive outlook on the growth of the Indian economy.

Based on the table of Indicators of development for some Asian Countries, which one of the following statements is false?

2000Economy
AAll countries other than India have over 80% literacy
BMalaysia and Korea have life expectancy higher than all other countries
CHigher the adult literacy lower is the infant mortality
DThe life expectancy at birth in India is almost the same as that of Indonesia

Explanation

The table provides indicators of development for various Asian countries. The statement that the life expectancy at birth in India is almost the same as that of Indonesia is false. In reality, India's life expectancy is 62.4 years, while Indonesia's is 64 years.

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

1998Economy
A1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct
B2 and 3 are correct
C3 and 4 are correct
D1 and 4 are correct

Explanation

The value of a country's currency in the global market is determined by factors such as the demand for the country's goods and services, the stability of its government, and its economic potential. In this context, a country's export and import levels, along with its political stability, play a significant role in influencing the market price of its currency.

To prevent recurrence of scams in Indian Capital Market, the Government of India has assigned regulatory powers to:

1995Economy
ASEBI
BRBI
CSBI
DICICI

Explanation

In order to avoid future scams in the Indian capital market, the Government of India has given regulatory authority to the Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI).