Indian Economy MCQs

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Inflation reduces currency purchasing power and drives general price increases. Banks respond by raising loan prices due to higher costs, including increased wages and operational expenditures. Central banks often hike interest rates during inflation to control rising prices. Higher interest rates result in increased loan pricing by banks to maintain profit margins.

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Uttarakhand was the first state to set up Special Agricultural Zones (SAZs) in 2011. It was launched on the lines of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It encouraged the farmers to develop high-quality crop seeds typical to hilly regions.

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Uttar Pradesh contributed over 40% of India’s sugarcane output in the 2023–24 season, with an estimated 220–230 million tonnes. The state consistently leads sugarcane production due to fertile alluvial soil, reliable irrigation from the Ganga basin, and a favorable subtropical climate. Maharashtra ranked second with about 95–100 million tonnes. Data is consistent with figures up to 2024 estimates.

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The expansion phase in the business cycle involves sustained increases in GDP, income, output, employment, and often prices. It follows a recovery and precedes a peak. The National Bureau of Economic Research tracks expansion periods in economic cycles. Expansion differs from recession, which indicates economic decline, and from depression, which indicates prolonged downturn.

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A regressive tax is the one in which tax rate decreases as the amount subject to taxation increases; and the tax rate progresses from high to low. The lowest amount is subject to higher taxation and this leads to individuals with low income bear the highest burden of regressive taxes. Such tax does not take into account the ability to pay.

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Under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, unclaimed deposits are defined as funds not operated for 10 years in India but commonly considered 5 years under US state dormancy laws. Indian Reserve Bank amendments in 2014 require banks to transfer such amounts to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund after 10 years.

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Cross-selling involves suggesting additional complementary products to a customer’s original purchase. In fast-food chains, offering fries with a sandwich exemplifies this. According to retail practices adopted since the 1970s, cross-selling combos are widely used to increase overall sales figures. Major restaurant chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King commonly use this technique globally.

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In the 1983 Budget, Finance Minister R. Venkataraman emphasized “basic reforms in the international financial and trading system” for the first time in India. This was a pivotal moment as it marked a shift towards liberalization and modernization of India’s economy, laying the groundwork for future reforms in the 1990s. The 1983 Budget aimed to address economic challenges and improve India’s global trade position.

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The Washington Consensus refers to a set of economic policy prescriptions for developing countries, primarily focused on market-oriented reforms. It was formulated in the late 1980s and emphasizes trade liberalization, deregulation, and privatization. While the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank are often associated with the Consensus due to their roles in providing financial assistance and policy advice, the World Trade Organization does not embody the trade liberalization aspect central to the Consensus. The US Treasury Department and the US Federal Bank are not a part of the Washington Consensus framework.

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The Indian central government projected total debt is ₹214.82 lakh crore by March 2027. In FY 2026-27, the government plans to borrow ₹17.2 lakh crore through gross market borrowings. Net market borrowings are projected at ₹11.7 lakh crore. Reserve Bank of India mainly conducts monetary operations and does not borrow such amounts. State governments’ borrowings are lower than the Centre.