2019-20

1. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’ was launched to support

The ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’ was launched to support

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infrastructure development in rural areas
poverty eradication programmes
education for underprivileged children
economic empowerment of the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic
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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) refers to a comprehensive package announced by the Government of India in response to the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The core objective of PMGKY was to provide welfare measures and economic relief to the poor and vulnerable sections of society during the COVID-19 crisis. This included measures like food grain distribution, cash transfers to women, farmers, and construction workers, and insurance cover for healthcare workers.
Initially announced in March 2020, the scheme included providing free food grains and pulses for 80 crore poor people, cash transfers under schemes like PM-KISAN, Jan Dhan accounts for women, and measures for senior citizens and widows. It was later extended and modified based on the duration and impact of the pandemic, specifically focusing on supporting the economic well-being of the poor during this unprecedented period.

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2. The ‘National Rural Livelihood Mission’ is aimed at

The ‘National Rural Livelihood Mission’ is aimed at

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promoting rural tourism
providing free healthcare to rural families
poverty reduction through self-employment and skill development
encouraging organic farming practices
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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), now known as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at poverty reduction in rural areas.
The primary strategy of NRLM is to reduce poverty by building strong institutions of the poor, particularly women, and enabling these institutions to access a range of financial and livelihood services. This is achieved through promoting self-employment and providing opportunities for skill development among the rural poor.
NRLM focuses on creating sustainable livelihood options for the rural poor. It works through mobilizing poor households into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations, providing financial assistance (revolving fund, community investment support fund), and facilitating access to bank credit and other financial services. It also supports capacity building and skill development for diversified livelihoods.

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3. Consider the following statements: The ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ focuses o

Consider the following statements:
The ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ focuses on providing pension benefits to

  • 1. farmers
  • 2. Government employees
  • 3. industrial workers
  • 4. unorganized sector workers

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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4 only
2
1, 3 and 4
1 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme primarily aimed at encouraging saving for retirement among workers in the *unorganized sector*. It provides a guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 based on contributions and age of joining. While individuals from other categories (like farmers or industrial workers) who are part of the unorganized sector can join, the scheme’s specific target group is defined as the unorganized sector. Therefore, statement 4 is the most accurate description of the target beneficiaries.
– APY is designed for individuals in the unorganized sector.
– It offers a guaranteed pension amount after retirement (age 60).
– Government provides co-contribution for eligible subscribers.
The scheme was launched in 2015 and replaced the Swavalamban Yojana. Subscribers must be Indian citizens between 18 and 40 years of age and must not be income tax payers.

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4. Which of the following is the highest policy-making body for monetary

Which of the following is the highest policy-making body for monetary matters in India?

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India
The NITI Aayog
The Ministry of Finance
The Reserve Bank of India
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank responsible for monetary policy in India. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) within the RBI is the statutory body entrusted with the task of setting the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) to achieve the inflation target set by the government, while keeping in mind the objective of growth. This makes the RBI the highest policy-making body for monetary matters.
– RBI is the monetary authority of India.
– The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) within RBI decides the key interest rates.
– SEBI regulates capital markets, NITI Aayog is a planning/advisory body, and the Ministry of Finance handles fiscal policy.
The MPC was constituted in 2016 and consists of six members – three officials from the RBI and three external members nominated by the government. The Governor of RBI is the ex-officio Chairperson. The decisions of the MPC are binding on the RBI.

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5. Which Indian State launched the ‘Amma Vodi’ scheme to provide financia

Which Indian State launched the ‘Amma Vodi’ scheme to provide financial assistance to mothers for educating their children?

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Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Tamil Nadu
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The ‘Amma Vodi’ scheme is a flagship welfare program launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to mothers or recognized guardians who send their children to school, aiming to reduce dropout rates and encourage education, especially among poor families.
– It is a state-specific welfare scheme.
– The primary objective is to support the education of children.
– Financial aid is provided directly to the mother/guardian.
The scheme provides an annual financial assistance of ₹15,000 to eligible mothers/guardians for sending their children to recognized government, private aided, and private unaided schools/junior colleges. It is considered a key initiative in Andhra Pradesh’s education sector.

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6. The index that measures the average change in the prices of goods and

The index that measures the average change in the prices of goods and services consumed by urban households is called

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Wholesale Price Index
Consumer Price Index
Producer Price Index
Sensex
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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. In India, CPI is calculated separately for rural, urban, and combined populations. The question specifically refers to urban households, which corresponds to CPI-Urban or CPI-Combined (which includes urban data). WPI measures prices at the wholesale level, PPI measures prices received by producers, and Sensex is a stock market index.
– CPI reflects the cost of living for typical consumers.
– It is used as a key measure of retail inflation.
– Different series of CPI are published based on the target population (urban, rural, combined).
In India, the CPI combined (CPI-C) is currently the main inflation indicator used for monetary policy formulation by the Reserve Bank of India.

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7. The fiscal deficit is the difference between

The fiscal deficit is the difference between

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total revenue and total expenditure
total imports and total exports
total investment and total savings
total debt and total assets
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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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Fiscal deficit is the difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total non-debt receipts (revenue receipts + non-debt capital receipts) in a financial year. It represents the total borrowing requirement of the government to cover its excess expenditure over its non-borrowing income. Option A, “total revenue and total expenditure,” while a simplified representation, captures the essence as the deficit (expenditure minus revenue) is the amount the government needs to borrow.
– Fiscal deficit indicates the government’s borrowing needs.
– It is calculated as Total Expenditure – (Revenue Receipts + Non-debt Capital Receipts).
– A high fiscal deficit can lead to increased government debt and potentially higher inflation.
Fiscal deficit is distinct from revenue deficit (Revenue Expenditure – Revenue Receipts) and primary deficit (Fiscal Deficit – Interest Payments). Managing the fiscal deficit is a key goal of fiscal policy.

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8. Which term refers to the total value of all the goods and services pro

Which term refers to the total value of all the goods and services produced within the country during a specific period?

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GDP
GNP
GNI
GVA
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced *within the geographical boundaries* of a country during a specific period, usually one year. It is the most common measure of a country’s economic output.
– GDP measures production based on location (within the country’s borders).
– It includes production by both citizens and foreigners residing in the country.
– It is calculated for a specific time period (quarterly or annually).
GNP (Gross National Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced by the residents of a country, regardless of their location. GNI (Gross National Income) is conceptually similar to GNP. GVA (Gross Value Added) measures the contribution of individual producers, industries, or sectors to the GDP.

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9. Consider the following statements : The Reserve Bank of India is respo

Consider the following statements :
The Reserve Bank of India is responsible for the issuance of

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  • 1. currency notes and coins
  • 2. Government bonds
  • 3. corporate bonds
  • 4. stocks

Which of the above statements are correct?

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1, 2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India and is responsible for the issuance of currency notes (except the one-rupee note and coins which are issued by the Government of India but put into circulation by RBI) and management of government debt, which includes issuing government bonds. RBI does not issue corporate bonds or stocks; these are issued by companies and traded in the securities market regulated by SEBI. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while 3 and 4 are incorrect.
– RBI is the sole authority for issuing currency notes in India (except ₹1 note).
– RBI acts as the debt manager for both the Central and State Governments, involving the issuance and management of government securities (bonds).
– Corporate bonds and stocks are capital market instruments issued by non-government entities.
The one-rupee note and coins are minted by the Government of India, but RBI facilitates their distribution and circulation. RBI’s other functions include acting as a banker to the government, banker to banks, foreign exchange manager, and regulator of the banking system.

10. The term ‘inflation’ refers to the increase in

The term ‘inflation’ refers to the increase in

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unemployment rate
prices of goods and services
foreign exchange reserves
interest rates
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20
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Inflation is defined as a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power per unit of money – a loss of real value in the medium of exchange and unit of account within the economy.
– It is about the increase in the *general* price level, not just a few items.
– It leads to a decrease in the purchasing power of money.
– It is typically measured as an annual percentage increase.
Inflation can be caused by various factors, including demand-pull (excess aggregate demand) and cost-push (increase in production costs). It is typically measured using price indexes like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

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