UPSC solved previous year questions

UPSC Economy PYQ with Answers

190 solved Economy questions from previous UPSC papers, each with an answer and explanation.

Questions
190
Years covered
2016–2026
Exam years
10
With answers
190

Economy questions by year

UPSC Economy PYQ with Answers

21–31 of 31
  1. Q21 2025 Prelims GS

    A country's fiscal deficit stands at ₹50,000 crores. It is receiving ₹10,000 crores through non-debt creating capital receipts. The country's interest liabilities are ₹1,500 crores. What is its gross primary deficit?

    1. ₹48,500 crores✓
    2. ₹51,500 crores
    3. ₹58,500 crores
    4. None of the above
    Answer explanation

    ₹48,500 crores Gross primary deficit = Fiscal deficit − Interest payments = 50,000 − 1,500 = ₹48,500 crores. (The non-debt creating capital receipts figure is extraneous information for this particular calculation of gross primary deficit…

    EconomyFiscal deficitPrimary deficit
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  2. Q22 2025 Prelims GS

    Which of the following statements with regard to the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800 crores from the year 2022-23 to 2025-26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. II. 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes should be shared with the States. III. ₹45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. IV. It reintroduced the tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. I, II and III
    2. I, II and IV
    3. I, III and IV✓
    4. II, III and IV
    Answer explanation

    I, III and IV The 15th Finance Commission recommended ₹4,800 crore grants (2022-23 to 2025-26) for incentivizing states on education outcomes (I correct), earmarked ₹45,000 crore as performance-based incentives for agricultural reforms…

    EconomyFinance commissionFiscal federalism
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  3. Q23 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to middle income countries. II. It works single-handedly to help developing countries reduce poverty. III. It was established to help Europe rebuild after the World War II. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and II only
    2. II and III only
    3. I and III only✓
    4. I, II and III
    Answer explanation

    I and III only The IBRD lends primarily to creditworthy middle-income and poorer developing countries (I correct) and was established after World War II (Bretton Woods, 1944) originally to help finance the reconstruction of war-torn Europe…

    EconomyIbrdWorld bank
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  4. Q24 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements regarding RTGS and NEFT: I. In RTGS, the settlement time is instantaneous, whereas in the case of NEFT, it takes some time to settle payments. II. In RTGS, the customer is charged for inward transactions while that is not the case for NEFT. III. Operating hours for RTGS are restricted on certain days while this is not true for NEFT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I only✓
    2. I and II
    3. I and III
    4. III only
    Answer explanation

    I only RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) settles transactions instantly on a one-to-one basis, whereas NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) settles transactions in batches, taking some time (Statement I correct).…

    BankingEconomyRtgs neft
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  5. Q25 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following countries: I. United Arab Emirates II. France III. Germany IV. Singapore V. Bangladesh. Other than India, in how many of the above countries are international merchant payments accepted through UPI?

    1. Only two
    2. Only three✓
    3. Only four
    4. All the five
    Answer explanation

    Only three UPI-based international merchant payments have been extended to select countries, including the UAE, France, and Singapore (among the listed options), while Germany and Bangladesh are not among the countries where UPI merchant…

    Digital paymentsEconomyUpi
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  6. Q26 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana': I. Its target is to install one crore solar rooftop panels on the roofs of houses in the residential sector. II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at the grassroot level. III. Its aim is, under the skill component of capacity building, to create more than three lakh skilled manpower through fresh skilling and upskilling. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and II only
    2. I and III only
    3. II and III only
    4. I, II and III✓
    Answer explanation

    I, II and III The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana targets installing rooftop solar systems on one crore households (I correct), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to provide grassroots-level training on installation, operation…

    EconomyPm surya ghar yojanaRenewable energy
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  7. Q27 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their own territories. Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
    2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
    3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
    4. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct✓
    Answer explanation

    Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, State Governments do have the power to make rules for the grant of concessions in respect of minor minerals located in…

    EconomyMiningMinor minerals
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  8. Q31 2024 Prelims GS

    With reference to the Indian economy, “Collateral Borrowing and Lending Obligations” are the instruments of:

    1. Bond market
    2. Forex market
    3. Money market✓
    4. Stock market
    Answer explanation

    Money market Collateralised Borrowing and Lending Obligations (CBLOs) were short-term money-market instruments used to facilitate secured borrowing and lending, generally against eligible securities such as government securities.…

    Collateral borrowing and lending obligationsEconomyFinancial markets
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