State the distinctive features of the national budget for 1979-80. To what extent are the present inflationary trends derived from the budget provisions? (79/25)
What is the meaning of the term ‘tax expenditure’? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences the budgetary policies of the government. (13/10)
How far is it justifiable to state that the financial budget of this country is a gamble against the Indian monsoon? To what extent have developmental measures solved the problem? (86/20)
One of the intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to “transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective. (17/15)
The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in context of budget making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it. (19/15)
Types of Budgets
What is Zero-base budgeting? (87/3)
Define zero-based budget. (02/2)
Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? (16/15)
Components of Budget
What are the main components of the non-Plan expenditure of the Government of India? Discuss the recent trends in the growth of this expenditure. (89/20)
What is Non-Plan Expenditure? (91/3)
What are fringe benefits? (95/3)
Which are the three major items of expenditure of the Government of India on revenue account? (03/2)
Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets. (21/10)
Deficits in Budget
Why should fiscal deficit in India be rising again? (94/3)
Does reduction in fiscal deficit necessarily assure reduction in inflation? (95/20)
How is revenue deficit different from budgetary deficit? (99/3)
What do you mean by revenue deficit in the Central Government’s Budget? (00/2)
What are the hurdles faced by the Finance Ministers of India in keeping the fiscal deficit below 3-4 percent of the GDP? Suggest steps to lower the fiscal deficit. (01/15)
Define fiscal deficit. (02/2)
What is the main thrust of the Fiscal responsibility and Budget Management Bill? (03/2)
What is deficit financing? (04/2)
What is twin deficit? (06/2)
What is budget deficit? (07/2)
What are the reasons for introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness. (13/10)
Fiscal Policy and Taxation
Examine the pros and cons of increasing the level of taxation on the agricultural sector. (82/20)
Why does the Government of India impose a surcharge on income tax? (83/3)
What tax concessions were given in the Union Budget for 1983-84 to persons and industries? Examine the rationale for granting such concessions. (83/20)
What is fiscal drag? What is its effect? (92/3)
In a developing country like ours, what according to you should be the basis of taxation - income or consumption? Spell out your arguments clearly. (93/20)
What is a ‘subsidy’? Name two major items of central subsidies in India. (86/3)
Examine the debt burden of the Government of India. Is the country heading towards a “debt trap’? (88/20)
What is meant by equity in taxation? (94/3)
Do you think that income tax reduces economic incentives? Give your reasons. (95/20)
The Union Budget 2002-03 recommended some services to be taxed. Name any 4 of these services. (02/2)
What is the meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences budgetary policies of the government. (13/10)
Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies? (2025/15)
Components and Types of Tax
Name at least five taxes levied by the State Governments in India. Which tax brings them the largest amount of revenue? (85/3)
Name the direct and indirect taxes levied by the Government of India. Which of these yields the highest amount of revenue? (88/3)
How do you distinguish between specific and ad valorem duties? (96/3)
What is Tobin tax? What are its main features? (99/20)
Distinguish between ad-valorem and specific duties. (02/2)
What is peak rate of Custom duty? What are its objectives in India? (02/2)
What is Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT)? (04/2)
What is Countervailing Duty? (07/2)
Tax Reforms
Indicate briefly the tax reforms that have been introduced in India after the coming in of the New Economic Policy. (94/20)
Do you agree with the view that, in a country like India, a tax on wealth would be a useful supplement to the income tax? Argue the case in the light of Raja Chelliah Tax Reform Committee Report. (95/40)
Briefly comment on the purpose and type of changes made in our tax structure in the context of liberalisation and structural reform during the first half of the 1990s. (96/20)
What were the major recommendations of the Task Force on direct taxes appointed under the Chairmanship of Shri Vijay L. Kelkar? (03/30)
Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-19. (18/10)
GST and its Evolution
What is a MODVAT? Examine its possible advantages and disadvantages. (86/20)
Why was MODVAT Scheme introduced in the year 1986? (97/3)
Write a note on MODVAT Scheme of 1986. (00/2)
What is Value Added Tax? (03/2)
Discuss the rationale for introducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Bring out critically the reasons for the delay in roll out for its regime. (13/10)
Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the goods and services tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (19/10)
Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (20/15)
Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (UPSC GS 2 2023/15)