May 4, 2019

UPSC Prelims – Planning, Budget, Schemes

By Sutirtha Datta UPSC Prelims Question Paper 0 Comments

Contents

UPSC – 2018

24. Consider the following statements

The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management ( FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments.
The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments.
As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government’s consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

82. Consider the following items:

Cereal grains hulled
Chicken eggs cooked
Fish processed and canned
Newspapers containing advertising material

Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Goods and Services Tax)?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

86. Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct?

(a) A bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.

(b) A Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India.

(d) A Money Bill deals with the regulation of borrowing of money or giving of any guarantee by the Government of India.

23. With reference to India’s decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are correct?

It is introduced as a part of the Income Tax Act.
Non-resident entities that offer advertisement services in India can claim a tax credit in their home country under the “Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements”.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

91. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India?

Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centers within our national geographical boundaries.
Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centers.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

33. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if

(a) industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output.

(b) agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output.

(d) imports grow faster than exports.

70. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:

The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidized grains.
The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(d) 3 only

48. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements

It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

68. Consider the following statements

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC – 2017

31. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’?

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.

2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.

3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

95. With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)’, consider the following statements:

1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.

2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.

3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.

Which of the statements .given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

44. Consider the following statements :

1. Tax revenue as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.

2. Fiscal deficit as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

13. Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:

1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.

2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

11. With reference to ‘National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)’, which of the statements given below is/are correct?

1. Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning.

2. An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

78. Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to

(a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.

(b) Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes.

(d) Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.

39. What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’?

(a) Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations and government’s education system and local communities.

(b) Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.

(d) Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.

5. With reference to ‘National Investment and Infrastructure Fund’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.

2. It has a corpus of Rs. 4, 00,000 crore at present.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

98. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.

2. To reduce the incidence of anemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.

3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.

4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

38. What is the purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana’?

1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.

2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.

3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

UPSC – 2016

51. Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.

2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme.

3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber’s death.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

35. The term ‘Base Erosion and Profit Shifting’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) mining operation by multinational companies in resource-rich but backward areas

(b) curbing of the tax evasion by multinational companies

(d) lack of consideration of environmental costs in the planning and implementation of developmental projects

78. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit?

1. Reducing revenue expenditure

2. Introducing new welfare schemes

3. Rationalizing subsidies

4. Reducing import duty

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

87. Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India?

1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machinery, etc.

2. Loans received from foreign governments

3. Loans and advances granted to the States and Union Territories

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

46. What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme’?

1. To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy

2. To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector

3. To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

1. With reference to ‘stand up India scheme’, which of the following statement is/are correct?

1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.

2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

48. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at

(a) bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system

(b) providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops

(d) funding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation

82. Which one of the following is a purpose of `UDAY’, a scheme of the Government?

(a) Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy

(b) Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2018

(c) Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time

(d) Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies

38. `SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at

(a) promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas

(b) providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs

(d) providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

59. Regarding Digi-Locker, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1 It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.

2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC – 2015

79. With reference to inflation in India, which of the following statements is correct?

(a) Controlling the inflation in India is the responsibility of the Government of India only

(b) The Reserve Bank of India has no role in controlling the inflation

(d) Increased money circulation helps in controlling the inflation

80. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit?

1. Reducing revenue expenditure

2. Introducing new welfare schemes

3. Rationalizing subsidies

4. Expanding industries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

81. ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for

(a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates

(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas

(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities

82. With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/ are correct?

1. It has increased the share of States in the central divisible pool from 32 percent to 42 percent.

2. It has made recommendations concerning sector specific grants.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

84. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the

(a) Human Rights Commission

(b) Finance Commission

(d) Planning Commission

UPSC – 2014

101. The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

(a) inclusive growth and poverty reduction

(b) inclusive and sustainable growth

(d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth

76. With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure?

1. Defense expenditure

2. Interest payments

3. Salaries and pensions

4. Subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) None

UPSC – 2013

93. In India, deficit financing is used for raising resources for

(a) economic development

(b) redemption of public debt

(d) reducing the foreign debt

96. Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?

1. The Prime Minister

2. The Chairman, Finance Commission

3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet

4. Chief Ministers of the States

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

70. To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

(a) Promoting skill development

(b) Introducing more social security schemes

(d) Privatization of higher education

71. A rise in general level of prices may be caused by

1. an increase in the money supply

2. a decrease in the aggregate level of output

3. an increase in the effective demand

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

72. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effect?

(a) Repayment of public debt

(b) Borrowing from the public to finance a budget deficit

(d) Creating new money to finance a budget deficit

74. Economic growth in country X will necessarily have to occur if

(a) there is technical progress in the world economy

(b) there is population growth in X

(d) the volume of trade grows in the world economy

UPSC – 2012

65. Which of the following is /are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?

1. A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to adherence to the proposed design

2. A design for the creation of lakhs of jobs in the next ten years in consonance with India’s demographic dividend

3. Devolution of a specified share of central taxes to local bodies as grants

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

66. Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development :

1. Low birthrate with low death rate

2. High birthrate with high death rate

3. High birthrate with low death rate

Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below :

(a) 1, 2, 3

(b) 2, 1, 3

(d) 3, 2, 1

67. Under which of the following circumstances may ‘capital gains’ arise?

1. When there is an increase in the sales of a product

2. When there is a natural increase in the value of the property owned

3. When you purchase a painting and there is a growth in its value due to increase in its popularity

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

UPSC – 2011

46. In the union budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material ?

1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels.

2. Bioasphalt can be made from non-renewable resources.

3. Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials.

4. It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

47. India has experienced persistent and high food inflation in the recent past. What could be the reasons?

1. Due to a gradual switchover to the cultivation of commercial crops, the area under the cultivation of food grains has steadily decreased in the last five years by about 30%.

2. As a consequence of increasing incomes, the consumption patterns of the people have undergone a significant change.

3. The food supply chain has structural constraints.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

49. Which one of the following statements appropriately describes the “fiscal stimulus” ?

(a) It is a massive investment by the government in manufacturing sector to ensure the supply of goods to meet the demand surge caused by rapid economic growth.

(b) It is an intense affirmative action of the government to boost economic activity in the country.

(c) It is government’s intensive action on financial institutions to ensure disbursement of loans to agriculture and allied sectors to promote greater food production and contain food inflation.

(d) It is an extreme affirmative action by the government to pursue its policy of financial inclusion.

86. Which one of the following is not a feature of “Value Added Tax” ?

(a) It is multi-point destination-based system of taxation.

(b) It is a tax levied on value addition at each stage of transaction in the production distribution chain.

(d) It is basically a subject of the central government and the state governments are only a facilitator for its successful implementation.

88. All revenues received by the Union Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the ?

(a) Contingency Fund of India

(b) Public Account

(d) Deposits and Advances Fund

51. A rapid increase in the rate of inflation is sometimes attributed to the “base effect”. What is “base effect”?

(a) It is the impact of drastic deficiency in supply due to failure of crops

(b) It is the impact of the surge in demand due to rapid economic growth

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

53. With reference to “Aam Admi Bima Yojana’’, consider the following statements ?

1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or an earning member of the family in a rural landless house-hold.

2. The member insured must be in the age group of 30 to 65 years.

3. There is a provision for free scholarship for up to two children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

55. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act”?

(a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households

(b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households

(d) Adult members of any household

60. Which of the following can aid in furthering the Government’s objective of inclusive growth ?

1. Promoting Self-Help Groups.

2. Promoting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.

3. Implementing the Right to Education Act.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1,2 and 3 only

61. Why is the Government of India disinvesting its equity in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) ?

1. The Government intends to use the revenue earned from the disinvestment mainly to pay back the external debt.

2. The Government no longer intends to retain the management control of the CPSEs

Which the correct statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

62. Economic growth is usually coupled with

(a) Deflation

(b) Inflation

(d) Hyperinflation

UPSC – 2010

32. The SEZ Act, 2005 which came, into effect in February 2006 has certain objectives. In this context, consider the following:

1. Development of infrastructure facilities.

2. Promotion of investment from foreign sources.

3. Promotion of exports of services only.

Which of the above are the objectives of this Act?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

35. In the context of Indian economy, consider the following pairs:

Term Most Appropriate description

1. Melt down Fall in stock prices

2. Recession Fall in growth rate

3. Slow down Fall in GDP

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

36. In the context of governance, consider the following:

1. Encouraging Foreign Direct Investment inflows

2. Privatization of higher educational Institutions

3. Down-sizing of bureaucracy

4. Selling/offloading the shares of Public Sector Undertakings

Which of the above can be used as measures to control the fiscal deficit in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 3 and 4 only

37. Inclusive growth as enunciated in the Eleventh Five Year Plan does not include one of the following:

(a) Reduction of poverty

(b) Extension of employment opportunities

(d) Reduction of gender inequality

39. Which one of the following is responsible for the preparation and presentation of Union Budget to the Parliament?

(a) Department of Revenue

(b) Department of Economic Affairs

(d) Department of Expenditure

40. Consider the following actions by the Government:

1. Cutting the tax rates

2. Increasing the government spending

3. Abolishing the subsidies in the context of economic recession

which of the above actions can be considered a part of the “fiscal stimulus” package?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

41. In the context of India’s Five Year Plans, a shift in the pattern of industrialization, with lower emphasis on heavy industries and more on infrastructure begins in

(a) Fourth Plan

(b) Sixth Plan

(d) Tenth Plan

43. In India, the tax proceeds of which one of the following as a percentage of gross tax revenue has significantly declined in the last five years?

(a) Service tax

(b) Personal income tax

(d) Corporation tax

44. Which one of the following authorities makes recommendation to the Governor of a State as to the principles for determining the taxes and duties which may be appropriated by the Panchayats in that particular State?

(a) District Planning Committees

(b) State Finance Commission

(d) Panchayati Raj Ministry of that State

45. Consider the following statements:

In India, taxes on transactions in Stock Exchanges and Futures Markets are

1. levied by the Union

2. collected by the States

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC – 2009

27. During which Five Year Plan was the Emergency clamped, new elections took place and the Janata Party was elected?

(a) Third

(b) Fourth

(d) Sixth

28. Consider the following statements regarding Indian Planning:

1. The Second Five-Year Plan emphasized on the establishment of heavy industries.

2. The Third Five-Year Plan introduced the concept of import substitution as a strategy for industrialization.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

29. Which one of the following brings out the publication called “Energy Statistics” from time to time?

(a) Central Power Research Institute

(b) Planning Commission

(d) Central Statistical Organization

31. In the context of independent India’s economy, which one of the following was the earliest event to take place?

(a) Nationalization of Insurance companies

(b) Nationalization of State Bank of India

(d) Introduction of First Five-Year Plan

UPSC – 2018

UPSC – 2017

UPSC – 2016

UPSC – 2015

UPSC – 2014

UPSC – 2013

UPSC – 2012

UPSC – 2011

UPSC – 2010

UPSC – 2009

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