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. If India’s external commercial borrowings increase, what is the likely macroeconomic impact?
[A] External debt will increase, but macroeconomic impact depends on hedging and exchange rates
[B] External debt will increase, but forex reserves will remain unaffected
[C] External debt will remain unaffected due to RBI’s forward book management
[D] External debt will increase proportionally, with no impact on current account deficit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [External debt will increase, but macroeconomic impact depends on hedging and exchange rates]
Notes:
At end-March 2025, India’s outstanding commercial borrowings reached $291.6 billion, a 16.4% rise from the previous year. Increase in ECBs directly raises external debt. Macroeconomic stability varies with hedging costs and exchange rate fluctuations, which can affect inflation and liquidity. The impact is also influenced by RBI’s management of foreign exchange reserves and currency volatility, not only the debt quantum.
2. In which of the five year plan in India, the concept of Financial Inclusion was included for the first time?
[A] 8th Five Year Plan
[B] 9th Five Year Plan
[C] 10th Five Year Plan
[D] 11th Five Year Plan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [11th Five Year Plan]
Notes:
The 11th Five Year Plan was implemented from 2007-2012, when Manmohan Sigh was India’s Prime Minster. The main slogan for the 11th FYP was “Faster and more inclusive growth”. The 11th FYP made special emphasis on Financial Inclusion, poverty reduction, empowerment through education and skill development etc.
3. Which RBI action best curbs excess banking system liquidity?
[A] Increases the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)
[B] Decreases the repo rate
[C] Purchases government securities through Open Market Operations
[D] Reduces the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Increases the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)]
Notes:
The RBI increases the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to absorb surplus liquidity from banks. In August 2023, RBI required banks to maintain a 10% incremental CRR on certain deposit increases. Higher CRR compels banks to hold more deposits as reserves with RBI, reducing their capacity to lend and thus controlling excess liquidity in the financial system.
4. The targets from fifth five year plan were set with respect to which of the following parameters?
[A] National Income
[B] Net Domestic Product
[C] Gross Domestic Product at Factor Cost
[D] Gross Domestic Product at Market Cost
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gross Domestic Product at Factor Cost]
Notes:
Targets for the first three plans were set with respect to National Income. Fourth Plan it was Net Domestic Product. In all Plans thereafter it has been Gross Domestic Product at factor cost.
5. Which body recommends Minimum Support Prices to the Government of India?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
[C] State Governments
[D] Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)]
Notes:
The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) was established in January 1965 as the Agricultural Prices Commission and renamed CACP in 1985. CACP functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. CACP annually recommends MSPs for 22-23 crops to the government. Its recommendations consider factors such as production costs, market prices, and inter-crop price parity.
6. Which has the highest weightage in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?
[A] Electricity
[B] Steel Industry
[C] Refinery Products
[D] Coal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Refinery Products]
Notes:
Refinery products have the highest weightage of 28.04% in the Index of Industrial Production as per the IIP series with base year 2011-12. The Index of Industrial Production was first published in 1937. The IIP is calculated and released by the National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
7. Who decides the interest rates on savings bank accounts in India?
[A] Central Government
[B] Banks themselves
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] Individual account holders
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Banks themselves]
Notes:
Banks in India have the authority to set savings bank account interest rates since May 2011. The Reserve Bank of India deregulated savings deposit rates in October 2011. Each bank decides its own rate, subject to RBI guidelines on calculation and credit of interest. RBI requires interest calculation on a daily basis. Rates are publicly notified by each bank.
8. How many key infrastructure sectors are known as Core sector in Indian Economy, used for Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data?
[A] 5
[B] 6
[C] 7
[D] 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [8]
Notes:
There are 8 Core Industries or core sectors of the economy viz. coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizer, steel, cement and electricity used in Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
9. What is the short name of India’s top authority for Indirect Taxes?
[A] CBDT
[B] CBEC
[C] CBIT
[D] CBIC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [CBIC]
Notes:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) was renamed in 2018 from CBEC. CBIC is a statutory body under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. It is responsible for administration of GST, customs, excise and service tax in India. The board was originally established in 1964 by the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963.
10. Consider the following components related to the balance of payments (BoP):
- Balance of Trade
- Foreign Direct Investments
- Foreign Portfolio Investments
- Foreign Aid
- Foreign Tourist Expenditures
- Domestic Tourism Expenditures
Which of the above are included in the balance of payments?
[A] Only 1, 2 & 5
[B] Only 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
[C] Only 2, 3, 4 & 5
[D] Only 1, 2, 3 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
Notes:
The Balance of Payments (BoP) records all economic transactions between residents and the rest of the world. Items 1 (Balance of Trade), 2 (Foreign Direct Investments), 3 (Foreign Portfolio Investments), 4 (Foreign Aid), and 5 (Foreign Tourist Expenditures) are included in BoP. Item 6 (Domestic Tourism Expenditures) involves only domestic money flow and is not recorded in BoP.
