The balance of payments of a country is a systematic record of

The balance of payments of a country is a systematic record of

all import and export transactions of a country during a given period of time, normally a year
goods exported from a country during a year
economic transaction between the government of one country to another
capital movements from one country to another
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
The balance of payments (BoP) of a country is a systematic record of all economic transactions between the residents of a country and the rest of the world during a specific period, typically a year.
BoP includes transactions related to trade in goods and services (Current Account), income flows, and capital flows (Capital and Financial Account). Option A, while slightly simplified by focusing only on “import and export transactions,” is the most comprehensive description among the choices, as these trade transactions are a major part of the Current Account. The other options are too narrow (only goods, only government, or only capital).
The BoP is divided into two main accounts: the Current Account and the Capital Account (often presented as Capital and Financial Account). The Current Account records trade in goods and services, income (interest, dividends), and current transfers. The Capital Account records capital transfers and the acquisition/disposal of non-produced non-financial assets. The Financial Account records transactions involving financial assets and liabilities. The BoP should ideally balance over time (Credits = Debits).