Indian Economy MCQs

Notes:
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) committee comprises six members – three officials of the Reserve Bank of India and three external members nominated by the Government of India.

Notes:
Jean Dreze is an Economist of Indian Origin born in Belgium. He conceptualized and drafted the first version of MGNREGA. He was the member of National Advisory Council and has coauthored “An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradiction” with noted economist Amartya Sen.

Notes:
A balanced budget occurs when a government’s total revenue matches its total expenditure within a fiscal year. The concept is found in public finance literature and is used by various countries’ budgets. The Government of India’s budgets list balanced budgets when revenue and expenditure are equal with no deficit or surplus.

Notes:
Emissions trading (aka. cap and trade) refers to the market-based approach to control pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing the emissions of pollutants.

Notes:
Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation (CBLO) is a money market instrument. It represents the terms and conditions of a loan between a borrower and a lender. CBLO is a short-term investment option that allows investors to earn interest on their excess funds. It also provides a source of short-term funding for borrowers.
CBLO is a discounted instrument that is available in electronic book entry form. The maturity period ranges from one day to one year.
CBLO is a low-risk instrument because it is adequately backed by collateral. It is also a short-term investment option, which means that investors can quickly liquidate their investment if needed.
CBLO is the largest overnight segment in India.

Notes:
The fiscal deficit may be decomposed into primary deficit and interest payment. The primary deficit is obtained by deducting interest payments from the fiscal deficit. Thus, primary deficit is equal to fiscal deficit less interest payments. It indicates the real position of the government finances as it excludes the interest burden of the loans taken in the past.

Notes:
Overall Trade-Distorting Domestic Support (OTDS) is defined in the context of WTO agriculture negotiations. OTDS includes Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS), Blue Box payments, and de minimis support. OTDS commitments were discussed during the Doha Round agriculture talks beginning in 2001. WTO ministerial conferences periodically review and negotiate OTDS reduction by member countries. India and other countries have submitted proposals focusing on agriculture OTDS at these negotiations.

Notes:
Interval funds are a hybrid of open-ended and closed-ended funds. They allow continuous purchases but restrict redemptions to specific intervals, usually monthly or quarterly. Redemptions are permitted only during these fixed periods. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates these funds in the United States. Interval funds are different from daily-liquid mutual funds.

Notes:
The ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services, viz. Supplementary Nutrition; Pre-school non-formal education; Nutrition & health education; Immunization; Health check-up and Referral services. This programme was launched on 2nd October, 1975, as one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India and represents one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood care and development. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a centrally sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs across the country.

Notes:
Coal accounted for about 70% of India’s electricity generation in 2025. Coal-based power output was 1,247 TWh in 2025 after a 3.4% decline. Non-fossil sources contributed 25% collectively in FY 2024-25. India added 35 GW solar in 2025, but total renewable generation reached 270 TWh compared to coal’s 1,247 TWh.