Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (21/10)
Savings and Investment
Discuss the specific schemes announced in the Union budget for 1982-83 for fostering saving. (82/20)
Despite having high saving and investment rates, India is experiencing a low growth rate. Why is it so? (89/20)
What measures do you suggest to raise the volume of Public Savings in our country? Briefly state the importance of such savings for the contemporary economic scene. (96/20)
Comment on the view that economic planning can raise the rate of capital formation appreciably above the rate attainable under a system of private saving and investment. (96/40)
What is ICOR (Incremental Capital Output Ratio)? (00/2)
Indian economy presents a paradox of high savings rate with low-income and high savings rate with low growth rate. Analyse. (01/30)
Describe the main sources of Industrial finance in India. How could India be benefitted from recent developments in international finance? (06/30)
Write brief note on National Investment Fund. (10/2)
Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? (17/10)
Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in terms of capital formation. Discuss the factors to be considered while designing a concession agreement between a public entity and a private entity. (20/15)
“Investment in Infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth”. Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (21/15)
Monetary Policy
Components of Monetary Policy
What is Bank Rate? What is the Bank Rate in India at present? (83/2)
What are the main components of money supply in India? (84/2)
What is Statutory Liquidity Requirement of commercial banks? (91/3)
What is Cash Reserve Ratio? (99/3)
What is Cash Reserve Ratio? (04/2)
Write about Repo market. (05/2)
What is Cheap Money? (07/2)
What do you understand by ‘repo rate’ and “reverse repo rate’? What are the implications in raising these rates? (10/12)
Banking and Insurance
Describe the organisation and the functions of Regional Rural banks, review their achievements. Is there any conflicting jurisdiction between these rural banks and cooperative credit societies? (83/20)
What are lead banks? (88/3)
What is ICICI? (91/3)
When was the idea of Agriculture Insurance Corporation mooted? (03/2)
Lending and NPA
It is being suggested that the commercial banks in India should reduce their holdings of non-performing assets. Does it mean that the former should abandon social priorities? (94/20)
Explain the essential feature of differential rate of interest scheme. (03/2)
What does “priority sector lending” mean? (04/2)
“In the villages itself no form of credit organization will be suitable except the cooperative society.” — All India Rural Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agricultural finance in India. What constraints and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finance face? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients? (14/12.5)
Bank and Insurance Committees
What are the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee? (94/6)
Describe the recommendations of Narasimhan Committee regarding the banking sector in India. (04/15)
Salient recommendations of the RBI appointed Damodaran committee on customer service in Banks. (11/5)
NABARD and SIDBI
What is NABARD and what is its main role? (89/2)
What is SIDBI? What are its functions? (99/20)
What are the main objectives of NABARD? (00/2)
Money Market and Capital Market
Concepts
What do you understand by: (i) a right share issue, (ii) a bonus share issue? (80/2)
What are ‘bearer bonds’? Why were special bearer bonds devised in February, 1981? What were their budgetary objectives? Examine how far such bonds achieved their objectives? (81/20)
What is Call Money? (95/3)
What does buy-back of shares mean? (99/20)
Highlight the main feature of the policy relating to buy-back of shares. (03/2)
What is Hundi? (06/2)
What are the main sources of short-term and long-term finance for Indian industries? (92/20)
What is rolling settlement? (06/2)
What are nifty and the nifty junior? (06/2)
What is Hot Money? (07/2)
What is Venture Capital? (07/2)
Mutual Funds
What are mutual funds? Do we have such funds in India? (89/3)
What is meant by Mutual Fund? (98/3)
Discuss the nature and causes of the UTI crisis with particular reference to US-64. How does this UTI fiasco affect the investment climate in India? (01/15)
After the September 1st changes, do you think that Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) and Mutual Funds (MFs) are on a level playing field? Substantiate your answer from the perspective of an ordinary investor. (10/12)
International Finance
State as to what the MONEX stands for. (79/2)
What do you understand by ‘MONEX’? (82/2)
Write about Dow Jones. (05/2)
What is offshore currency market? (06/2)
What is forward currency market? (06/2)
What are Eurobonds? (06/2)
Organisations
In the context of recent institutional developments in our capital markets, what do the following abbreviations stand for: (i) CRISIL (ii) SEBI (iii) SHCIL. (91/3)
When and why was SEBI established? (99/20)
What is ‘CRISIL’? What does it do? (01/2)
Expand the term “NASDAQ”. (01/2)
What is the role of SEBI? (02/2)
What is the main objective of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)? (04/2)
Balance of Payment and World Trade
Balance of Payments
Do you consider a policy of import substitution or export promotion to provide an enduring solution to our balance of payments problem? Has export promotion policy been able to achieve its objectives? (84/40)
Differentiate between Trade and Balance of Payments. (96/3)
Craze for gold in Indians has led to a surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of the Gold Monetization Scheme. (15/12.5)
Currency
Explain the factors responsible for the decline in the value of Indian Rupee vis-a-vis U.S. Dollar during the Financial year 1995-96. Enumerate the corrective measures undertaken by the Reserve Bank of India in this regard. (96/40)
Distinguish between a “Hard” currency and a “Soft” currency. (01/2)
What is Exchange Risk Administration Scheme? (90/3)
How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (18/15)
BOP Accounts
Why should India export iron-ore when we still produce so little steel per capita? (82/3)
What are the major components of our total foreign exchange reserves? (86/3)
Why did India have a surplus in current account balance in 2001-02 after a gap of 24 years? (03/2)
What is the role of external financial assistance in Indian economy? (05/15)
Write about: Crude oil price and Indian economy. (05/2)
What are non-factor services in India’s balance of payments? (06/2)
Explain the term: Balance on Current Account. (07/2)
Write about the following: Current Account Balance. (08/2)
Discuss: Assistance to the States for Development of Export Infrastructure and other Activities (ASIDE). (08/15)
World Trade
Observe the following data and analyse the underlying trend in India’s export performance: (87/20)
Item / Year
World Exports
India’s Imports
India’s National Income
1949
2.40
-
-
1961
1.05
57.9
5.0
1971
0.65
93.9
4.5
1985
0.43
69.0
6.8
1987
0.40
62.6
6.6
Bring out the main features of India’s Trade Policy. (91/20)
Describe the changes that have taken place in the direction of international trade of India since Independence. (98/15)
The main thrust of Export-Import Policy 2002-07 is on creating a framework for enhancing India’s export capability. In the light of this statement outline the salient features of EXIM Policy 2002-07. (02/30)
Prices and Inflation
The phenomenon of rising prices has been largely responsible for putting Indian economy and planning out of gear; it is also a source of acute hardship to the people. What are the basic reasons for continuous inflation in India and what has been the Government strategy to control it? What specific measures have recently been taken by the Government of India for controlling price level? (81/30)
‘Inflation has been a major and persistent cause of poverty and inequality in India.” Analyse. (83/20)
Examine the controversy regarding the sharp rise in the price of sugar in India in the recent past. What steps have been taken by the Government to curb it? (85/20)
Discuss the factors that have led to the recent increase in the general price level and the measures taken by the Government to Combat it. (90/20)
It is claimed that the price situation in India improved considerably in 1992-93 with a gradual decline in the annual rate of inflation in the course of the year. What are the factors that moderated the inflationary pressures? (93/20)
Discuss the steps taken by the Government in recent years to control inflation. (97/20)
Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (GS 2) (22/15)
Prices
Despite an increase in the pay-packet, the purchasing power of the people has not really gone up. How can this happen? (87/2)
What are ‘administered prices’ and what is their role? Examine their impact on the general price level. (88/20)
What is meant by a high cost economy? Has India developed into a high cost economy and if so, how? (89/20)
Why has the Central Statistics Office notified a new series of Consumer Price Index from this year? (11/5)
Concepts
What is a Lorenz curve? (96/2)
Differentiate between “galloping inflation” and “run-away inflation”. (01/2)
Illustrate Lorenz curve. (01/2)
Write about Cost-push inflation. (05/2)
What is Phillips curve? (06/2)
What is Laffer curve? (06/2)
What is stagflation? (07/2)
What is budget deficit? (07/2)
Capital/Current Account Convertibility
What is Partial Convertibility of rupee? What are its basic objectives? How is it going to benefit the Indian economy? (92/20)
What do you understand by “Current Account Convertibility of Rupee”? (01/2)
What do you understand by “Capital Account Convertibility’ of Rupee? (02/2)
Point out the measures undertaken towards flexibility in capital account transactions during the recent past. (03/15)
Write about: Full convertibility. (05/2)
Explain full convertibility of Indian Rupee. (06/10)
Discuss: Convertibility of Indian Rupee. (08/15)
Misc.
Name three economic legislations in India and specify the objective of each. (86/3)
What are ‘economic’ offences? Name two such offences and the laws enacted in India to deal with them. (89/3)
Explain the terms: (a) Merit Goods. (b) Trickle Down Theory. (c) Engel’s Law. (d) Meaning of CCIL. (e) Administered Price. (f) Capital-Output Ratio. (07/2 each)
What is Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM)? (05/2)
Misc. Organisations
Write a short note on European Common Market (1992). (90/5)
Give the full names of (i) FAO (ii) FOB (iii) GATT. (92/3)
What are Euro issues? (94/6)
What is Eurostar? (94/6)
What is an MOU? What does it mean? (96/3)
What is CMEA bloc? (06/2)
Write about the following: NAMA. (08/2)
Comment on the reasons for the recent economic crisis in the so-called ‘PIGS’ countries of Europe. (10/5)
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
The WTO
What does WTO stand for? (02/2)
What is WTO? What are India’s objections to its overall functioning? (04/10)
Doha Round
What do we understand by “Doha Round” of talks? (06/10)
Discuss India’s stand on agricultural issues in WTO’s Ministerial Conferences since Doha Round. (GS 3) (08/30)
“In the WTO negotiations over the years of the DOHA Round, India appears to be diluting its stand on agriculture issues to pursue perceived gains in services.” Critically examine this statement. (GS 3) (09/20)
“The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss, in the Indian perspective. (17/12.5)
Food Security
Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO. (13/10)
WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. (14/12.5)
Dumping
What is ‘dumping’? What is its objective? (02/2)
What is Dumping? Evaluate the remedial measures taken by Government of India vis-a-vis WTO provisions regarding dumping. (07/30)
Agreements on Agriculture
What are the major provisions of Agreements on Agriculture in the context of World Trade Organisation? (04/2)
What are the major provisions of Agreements on Agriculture in the context of World Trade Organisation? (05/2)
What is the difference between Green Box subsidies and Blue Box subsidies? (06/2)
What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (250 words) (2023/15)
Importance, Challenges and Reforms
Discuss the reasons for the failure of the Seattle Millennium talks on the WTO (World Trade Organisation). Discuss some implications of this failure for the Indian economy. (00/15)
Discuss the importance of World Trade Organisation (WTO) to Indian economy in the light of various opportunities and challenges at the global level. (06/30)
The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact would such agreements have on India’s interests? (14/12.5)
What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of “Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (18/15)
Free Trade
What is Marrakesh Declaration? (94/6)
Examine the functions of the European Free Trade Association. (05/15)
What is the main difference between free trade area and common market? (06/2)
Write about the following: Non-tariff trade barriers. (08/2)
Write about the following: Free Trade Area. (08/2)
What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met? (2025/10)
ISSUES RELATING TO PLANNING
Planning Strategies and Objectives
State: Rolling Plan. (79/2)
In their emphasis placed by planners on the primacy of the rate of economic growth, scant attention has been paid to the structural and ideological objectives of planning in India. Critically examine this statement. (82/30)
Attainment of self-reliance has been a major objective of Planning in India. Analyse the implications of this policy. Assess the progress made so far in this regard. (83/20)
Examine the case for balanced regional development as an objective of economic planning in India. How far has it been achieved? (85/40)
“The past 50 years of development in India were characterized by planning but the next 50 years of development would be led by the market.” Comment. (98/40)
Explain “rolling plan”. (01/2)
How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (GS 3) (18/15)
Multi-level and Decentralized Planning
What is meant by “planning from below’ and ‘planning from above’? (80/2)
There is renewed emphasis on district planning in India. Examine its rationale, past experience and scope for success. (88/20)
What is the rationale for decentralized planning in India? Discuss the obstacles that have stood in the way of such planning? (90/40)
Write short note on Multi-level planning in India. (00/2)
‘In the context of neo-liberal paradigm of development planning, multi-level planning is expected to make operations cost effective and remove many implementation blockages.’ Discuss. (GS 2) (19/15)
Five Year Plan
Growth with stability has been enunciated as a major objective in the Policy Framework of the Sixth Five Year Plan. Analyse the nature of the task and its operational problems. Examine the feasibility of this objective, keeping in view our planning process. (81/50)
“Removal of poverty’ was a principal objective of the Fifth Five Year Plan; this has been reiterated in the Sixth Plan. Analyse the nature of the problem and the impediments involved. How far is this objective likely to be realised during the Sixth Plan Period? (81/50)
In what respects, is the Sixth Five Year Plan an improvement on the Fifth Plan? In the light of the mid-term review, how far are the targets and objectives likely to be realised? (83/40)
Describe the major objectives for Science and Technology in the Sixth Plan in energy, mining and minerals, telecommunication and broadcasting sectors. (83/40)
In course of planned economic development, India’s actual growth has mostly been lower than the targeted growth. How would you explain this short-fall? (86/20)
Describe briefly the development strategy of the Seventh Five Year Plan. (86/20)
Discuss the measures taken in the Five-Year Plans to mitigate rural poverty. (91/40)
Discuss the main features of India’s Eighth Five-Year Plan with special reference to the agricultural sector. (92/20)
Differentiate between indicative and target planning. Where should the Eighth Five Year Plan be placed? (94/40)
What are the main objectives of Ninth Five Year Plan? (97/3)
What is Plan Holiday? (99/3)
How did Nehru’s plan for modernization make rapid strides during the decade 1951-61? (99/10)
What are the main objectives of the 9th Five-Year Plan of the Government of India? (00/2)
What is Plan Holiday? (03/2)
Write a note on the strategy of planning in India since 1951. (03/30)
Outline the important objectives of the Tenth Five Year Plan. (03/15)
“There is an urgent need for the Planning Commission to revise the chapter on health in the 12th Plan document.” Comment. (12/15)
FYP and Employment
Enumerate the salient features of the Approach to the Seventh Five-Year Plan. Do you think the new approach will be able to harmonize the objectives of growth, reduction in unemployment and better social justice? Evaluate in this context, the Seventh Plan Approach. (84/40)
Comment on the employment strategy as envisaged in our Seventh Five Year Plan. (87/20)
What measures have been taken under the Five Year Plans to increase employment opportunities in rural areas? (90/20)
One of the priority objectives of the Eighth Five Year Plan is the “generation of adequate employment to achieve near full employment level by the turn of the century.” (Eighth Five Year Plan). What is the strategy envisaged for the fulfilment of this objective? (93/40)