Indian Economy: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

National Water Mission is one of the eight missions launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) for combating the threats of global warming. The main objective of NWM is "conservation of water, minimising wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources devel-opment and management". Statements 1 and 2 are correct: It seeks to ensure that a considerable share of the water needs of urban areas are met through recycling of waste water and ensuring that the water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water are met through adoption of new and appropriate technologies such as low temperature desalination technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.

Statement 3 is incorrect: All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India is part of the Interlinking of Rivers Project, not the National Water Mission.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The NWM focuses on water conservation and efficiency but does not provide reimbursements for bore-wells or pump-sets.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: DRDAs does not act as Panchayati Raj Institutions. They are autonomous bodies that coordinate rural development programs, while Panchayati Raj Institutions are separate local self-governance bodies.

Statement 2 is incorrect: No such provisions are there for DRDAs to undertake an area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.

Statement 3 is correct: One of the key roles of DRDAs is to coordinate efforts across sectors and departments to ensure the effective implementation of various rural development schemes.

Statement 4 is correct: DRDAs are responsible for monitoring and ensuring the proper utilization of funds allocated to anti-poverty and rural development programs.

Explanation

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed to measure acute poverty by evaluating multiple deprivations that individuals face across three key dimensions: health, education, and living standards.

Statement 1 is correct: The index assesses deprivations in education (such as years of schooling and school attendance), health (including child mortality and nutrition), and living standards (evaluated through indicators like access to electricity, sanitation, drinking water, housing, cooking fuel, and asset ownership).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Purchasing power parity (PPP) is an economic metric used to compare the relative value of currencies and the cost of goods across countries. The MPI focuses on non-monetary deprivations at the household level and does not incorporate national-level economic indicators like PPP.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Budget deficits and GDP growth rates are macroeconomic indicators that reflect a country’s fiscal health and economic performance. The MPI does not include these national-level metrics, as it is centered on individual and household deprivations in specific areas such as health, education, and living standards.

Explanation

NOTE: This question came in 2011 so data and facts of that period is not important. However, we can try to attempt and analyse the same question in light of recent data i.e. from 2020-2024

Statement 1 is incorrect: With respect to the five year period just before 2011, The GDP growth rate did not steadily increase during this period. It declined significantly in 2008-09 due to the global financial crisis before recovering in the subsequent years. For last few years, the growth rate of GDP in India is as follows:

Year GDP Growth Rate (%) 2016-17 8.26 2017-18 7.04 2018-19 6.12 2019-20 4.18 2020-21 -10.29 2021-22 8.2 2022-23 9.7 2023-24 8.2 2024-25 6.4 With respect to 2020-2024, we can clearly see that it has not been steadily rising for five years.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Similar to GDP growth, the per capita income growth rate did not steadily increase over these five years. There was a noticeable dip in 2008-09 due to the economic slowdown. For last few years, growth rate in per capita Income in India is as follows:

Fiscal Year Growth Rate (%) 2016-2017 7.1 2017-2018 6.8 2018-2019 6.1 2019-2020 4.2 2020-2021 -6.57 2021-2022 17.47 2022-2023 5.16 2023-2024 5.01 With respect to 2020-2024, we can clearly see that it has not been steadily rising for five years.

Explanation

Inflation is the rise in prices of goods and services within a particular economy wherein, the purchasing power of consumers decreases, and the value of the cash holdings erode. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. The opposite and rare fall in the price index of this basket of items is called ‘deflation’. The Cob-web Phenomenon explains fluctuations in food prices, especially for crops like pulses. If prices are high in one year, farmers may plant more of those crops the next season, causing oversupply and a price drop. In the following season, prices may rise again due to reduced supply as farmers cut back on production, creating a cyclical pattern of price fluctuations.

Statement 1 is incorrect: While there has been a shift towards cultivating commercial crops like cotton, sugarcane, and oilseeds, it has not been to the extent of a 30% reduction in food grains cultivation. While commercial crops have gained ground, India’s food grain production remains significant, and a drastic decrease of 30% is not observed.

Statement 2 is correct: As incomes rise, dietary patterns evolve. People tend to consume more protein-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, dairy), fruits, and vegetables. These items often require more resources to produce (e.g., livestock feed, cold storage) and can contribute to food price increases. As incomes rise, this change in consumption habits adds pressure on food prices.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s food supply chain faces significant inefficiencies like inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation infrastructure, and a fragmented distribution system. These constraints lead to higher costs and wastage leading to higher food prices. Structural inefficiencies make it difficult for supply to keep pace with increasing demand, fueling inflation.

Explanation

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) encompasses those Government companies in which the direct holding of the Central Government is 51 per cent or more and subsidiaries of such Government companies. The Statutory Corporations set up under Statutes enacted by the Parliament and other companies owned or controlled, directly or indirectly by the Central Government are also categorized as CPSEs.

Statement 1 is incorrect: External debt is the portion of a country’s debt that is borrowed from foreign lenders, including commercial banks, governments, or international financial institutions. The primary objectives of disinvestment in CPSEs are to raise resources for development, reduce fiscal deficits, and promote wider ownership of CPSEs through public participation rather than repaying external debt.

Statement 2 is incorrect: In many cases, the government retains management control by holding a majority stake (more than 50%) even after partial disinvestment. However, in strategic disinvestments, management control may be transferred to private entities. Disinvestment policy is often categorized into strategic disinvestment (selling a majority stake with management control) and minority stake sales. Air India’s strategic disinvestment in 2021 is a notable instance where management control was fully transferred.

Explanation

The Mega Food Park Scheme, launched in 2008-09, aims to significantly enhance the food processing industry by increasing value and reducing food waste throughout the supply chain, particularly for perishable goods. This initiative is over-seen by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The scheme is executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a corporate entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013. Based on a "Cluster" approach, the scheme focuses on developing advanced support infrastructure in specific agricultural or horticultural zones. This infrastructure is designed to enable the establishment of modern food processing units on industrial plots within the park, supported by a well-established supply chain.

Statement 1 is correct: Through a cluster-based approach, mega food parks build cutting-edge infrastructure facilities for food processing along the value chain from farm to market with strong forward and backward connections.

Statement 2 is correct: The Scheme is aimed at providing a method for connecting agricultural production to the market by bringing together producers, processors, and retailers in order to maximise value addition, focused processing of perishable items, reduce wastage, boost farmers’ incomes, and create jobs, particularly in the rural sector.

Statement 3 is incorrect: A Mega Food Park normally includes cold chain, collection centres, primary processing centres, central processing centres, and about 25 to 30 fully completed plots for entrepreneurs to build food processing units. While the entrepreneurs are supported to establish food processing units, providing emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies is not an stated objective of promoting Mega Food Parks.

Explanation

In India, Commercial Banks have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities. As of 2019-20, they accounted for approximately 76.83% of the total agricultural credit disbursed because:

Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms require banks to lend at least 18% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to agriculture. Commercial banks have the widest reach and higher lending Institutions like NABARD help commercial banks in refinancing agricultural loans. Most KCC loans are provided by commercial banks. RBI & Government have encouraged commercial banks to expand rural branches and digitize farm credit. Options (b) is incorrect: Cooperative banks have been pivotal in providing credit to the agricultural sector, particularly in rural areas. These banks cater to small farmers, especially those with lower creditworthiness who may not have access to commercial banks. Despite their importance in the past, cooperative banks’ share in agricultural credit has declined due to several factors:

Weak Financial Health:

Limited Reach Declining Role Options (c) is incorrect: Regional Rural Banks were established in 1975 with the objective of providing credit to rural and semi-rural areas. RRBs were created to support rural farmers and small entrepreneurs who had limited access to mainstream banking. Over time, RRBs have increased their contribution to agricultural credit. Their share increased from 6.86% in 1999-2000 to about 13% in 2015-16. Options (d) is incorrect: Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) provide small loans to low-income individuals and groups, often in rural areas. While they contribute to rural credit, their share in overall agricultural credit disbursement is smaller compared to commercial banks, cooperative banks, and RRBs.

Explanation

Inclusive growth is economic growth that delivers social benefits, tackles inequalities and spreads benefits more fairly between people and places. In the context of the Indian economy, several initiatives contribute significantly to this objective:

Statement 1 is correct: Self-Help Groups are community-based groups that enable people to come together for mutual support, primarily in rural areas. These groups provide a platform for individuals, especially women, to access financial services like savings, credit, and insurance. SHGs contribute to inclusive growth by empowering women, improving financial literacy, and enhancing social capital.

Statement 2 is correct: MSMEs play a pivotal role in India’s economic landscape by generating employment, fostering innovation, and contributing to exports. They encourage equitable distribution of wealth and act as engines of economic progress. The MSME sector has the highest employment growth rate, positively impacting both exports and industrial growth.

Statement 3 is correct: The RTE Act mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, ensuring that disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), have access to quality education. By providing educational opportunities to marginalized sections, the act aims to uplift backward communities and promote inclusive development.

Explanation

Microfinance is a financial service designed to assist low-income groups, including self-employed individuals and consumers by providing them with essential financial products. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide small loans(credit facilities) to low-income individuals, particularly those who do not have access to traditional banking services. These loans are often used for income-generating activities, such as starting or expanding small businesses. Microfinance institutions offer savings accounts to low-income individuals, allowing them to safely deposit their earnings and build financial security. Savings facilities encourage financial discipline and provide a safety net for emergencies. Microinsurance is a key component of micro-finance, providing low-income individuals with access to affordable insurance products. These products cover risks such as health, life, and crop failure, which are critical for the financial stability of low-income households. Microfinance institutions facilitate fund transfers, enabling low-income individuals to send and receive money securely and efficiently. This service is particularly important for migrant workers and their families.