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UPSC 2020 Economics PYQ Solved

22 Economics questions from UPSC 2020 Prelims GS Paper 1 — solved with answers

22
Questions
82%
Trap Rate
Common Misconception
Top Trap
Q6moderateCommon Misconception
Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include 'The Macro Economic Framework Statement'. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by
(a) Long standing parliamentary convention
(b) Article 112 and Article 110(1) of the Constitution of India
(c) Article 113 of the Constitution of India
(d) Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (b) mentioning Article 112 (Annual Financial Statement) sounds very plausible since budget documents are presented under constitutional mandate. But the Macro Economic Framework Statement is specifically required under Section 3 of the FRBM Act 2003, not directly by the Constitution. Students commonly confuse constitutional budget provisions with FRBM-mandated documents.
Q17easy
"Gold Tranche" (Reserve Tranche) refers to
(a) a loan system of the World Bank
(b) one of the operations of a Central Bank
(c) a credit system granted by WTO to its members
(d) a credit system granted by IMF to its members
Answer: (d)
Q49moderateCommon Misconception
If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India ? 1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings 2. Opening up to more foreign banks 3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statements 2 and 3 are traps exploiting the 'liberalization is always good' misconception. Opening up to more foreign banks (2) during a crisis can lead to capital flight. Full capital account convertibility (3) is DANGEROUS during crises - it allows sudden capital outflows. India's partial capital controls actually protected it during 2008. Only (1) reducing short-term foreign borrowing provides immunity.
Q50moderateCommon Misconception
If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be
(a) to reduce it by ₹ 1,00,000
(b) to increase it by ₹ 1,00,000
(c) to increase it by more than ₹ 1,00,000
(d) to leave it unchanged
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) is the main trap. Students think withdrawing money reduces money supply. But M1 = Currency with public + Demand deposits. When you withdraw cash, demand deposits decrease by ₹1 lakh but currency with public increases by ₹1 lakh. The COMPOSITION of money supply changes, but the TOTAL remains the same.
Q51easy
With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic ?
(a) It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.
(b) It is a largely non-debt creating capital flow.
(c) It is the investment which involves debt-servicing.
(d) It is the investment made by foreign institutional investors in the Government securities.
Answer: (b)
Q52moderatePartial Truth
With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports. 2. India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years. 3. India's exports of services are more than its imports of services. 4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (d)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 is the trap. While it lists items India imports, these imports have NOT decreased - India's imports of machinery, chemicals, and fertilizers have generally increased with economic growth. Students may confuse import substitution ambitions with actual import trends.
Q53easy
The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of
(a) Crude oil
(b) Bullion
(c) Rare earth elements
(d) Uranium
Answer: (a)
Q54easyAbsolute Qualifier
In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following ? 1. Housing loans owed by households 2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards 3. Treasury bills Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 (Treasury bills) is the trap. Students may think T-bills are 'financial debt' since they are financial instruments. But non-financial debt refers to debt owed by non-financial sectors (households, government, non-financial corporates). T-bills are government debt, and government is a non-financial sector. All three are non-financial debt.
Q56easyAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited. 2. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services. 3. They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 is the trap. TRIMS applies ONLY to trade in GOODS, not services. Services are covered under GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services). Students may assume TRIMS covers both since it sounds comprehensive. Statement 3 seems counterintuitive but is correct - TRIMS deals with trade-distorting investment measures, not regulation of foreign investment itself.
Q57moderateCommon Misconception
If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do ? 1. Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio 2. Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate 3. Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
This is a NEGATIVE question ('would NOT do') which itself is a trap format. Statement 1 about cutting SLR IS an expansionary measure (more funds available for lending), so RBI WOULD do it. Statement 3 about cutting Bank Rate and Repo Rate IS expansionary (cheaper borrowing). Only Statement 2 (increasing MSF rate) is contractionary. Students may confuse the negative framing.
Q58easyPartial Truth
With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements : 1. Worker productivity (₹ per worker at 2004 – 05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas. 2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased. 3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased. 4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is a trap - worker productivity increased in BOTH urban AND rural areas after liberalization, not decreased in rural areas. Statement 2 is also false - the rural workforce share has been DECLINING as urbanization increases. Students may assume rural areas suffered in all metrics post-liberalization.
Q59moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements : 1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks. 2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap. Students familiar with the cooperative credit structure may overestimate its role. In reality, Scheduled Commercial Banks deliver the MOST agricultural credit, followed by RRBs, with cooperatives (including DCCBs) coming third. The cooperative sector's share has been declining over decades.
Q60easyAbsolute Qualifier
In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits ? 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one's computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion 4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 about cost of a new computer if wilfully damaged is the trap. Cyber insurance covers CYBER attacks and digital threats, not PHYSICAL damage to hardware. If someone physically damages your computer, that's covered under property insurance or home insurance, not cyber insurance. Students may confuse cyber threats with physical threats.
Q61easyAbsolute Qualifier
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture ? 1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops 2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 3. Social Capital development 4. Free electricity supply to farmers 5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system 6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
The trap is confusing 'public investment' with 'public expenditure/subsidies'. MSP (1) is a price policy/support mechanism, not investment. Free electricity (4) is a subsidy, not investment. Loan waiver (5) is fiscal transfer, not investment. Only items that create CAPITAL/ASSETS count as public investment: computerization (2), social capital (3), cold storage (6).
Q62moderatePartial Truth
What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India ? 1. It helps in understanding the present risk of a firm that a bank is going to give loan to. 2. It helps in evaluating the emerging risk of a firm that a bank is going to give loan to. 3. The higher a borrowing firm's level of Interest Coverage Ratio, the worse is its ability to service its debt. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 3 reverses the relationship. HIGHER Interest Coverage Ratio means BETTER ability to service debt (earnings cover interest payments more times). The statement says 'worse', which is the opposite. This is a classic reversal trap.
Q63easy
Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past ? 1. Minimum Support Price 2. Government's trading 3. Government's stockpiling 4. Consumer subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Q64easyPartial Truth
Consider the following statements : 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade. 2. "Textile and textile articles" constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh. 3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 uses 'consistently increased' which is false - Indo-Sri Lanka trade has fluctuated, not consistently increased every year. Statement 3: Bangladesh, not Nepal, has been India's largest trading partner in South Asia. Nepal's trade volume is much smaller. Students may confuse the ranking of South Asian trading partners.
Q66moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes ? 1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets 2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks 3. Consumption requirements of farm households 4. Post-harvest expenses 5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statements 2 and 5 are traps. KCC provides SHORT-TERM credit. Purchasing combine harvesters, tractors (2) requires LONG-TERM/investment credit, not short-term. Building houses and cold storage (5) are long-term capital investments. KCC covers crop production, post-harvest, consumption needs, and working capital for farm asset maintenance.
Q67moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements : 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. 3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 3 is the trap. RBI adopted CPI (not WPI) as its key measure of inflation for monetary policy decisions since 2016 (Inflation Targeting Framework). Previously WPI was used. Students who haven't updated their knowledge may pick this as correct, or confuse which index RBI uses.
Q69moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements : 1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India. 2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Both statements use absolute language. Statement 1: 'unlimited' procurement is NOT true for all crops - effective unlimited procurement happens mainly for rice and wheat. For pulses and oilseeds, procurement is limited. Statement 2: 'never rise' above MSP is false - market prices DO rise above MSP when demand is high or supply is short.
Q70moderatePartial Truth
With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements : 1. 'Commercial Paper' is a short-term unsecured promissory note. 2. 'Certificate of Deposit' is a long-term instrument issued by the Reserve Bank of India to a corporation. 3. 'Call Money' is a short-term finance used for interbank transactions. 4. 'Zero-Coupon Bonds' are the interest bearing short-term bonds issued by the Scheduled Commercial Banks to corporations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 has multiple errors: CD is SHORT-term (not long-term) and is issued by banks (not RBI) to depositors. Statement 4 is wrong: Zero-Coupon Bonds are by definition NOT interest-bearing (they are sold at discount and redeemed at face value). The trap mixes correct-sounding financial terminology with wrong characteristics.
Q94moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements : 1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. 2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas. 3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap. Fertilizer prices in India, especially urea, are NOT market-driven - they are heavily administered/controlled by the government through subsidy mechanisms (NBS scheme for non-urea fertilizers and direct price control for urea). Students may think post-liberalization prices are market-driven, but fertilizer is a major exception.