UPSC 2013 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Economic growth refers to an increase in a country’s output of goods and services over time, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Capital formation, also known as investment, is a crucial driver of economic growth. It involves increasing the stock of capital goods (machinery, equipment, infrastructure) that are used to produce other goods and services. Capital formation necessarily leads to economic growth as:

Increased Productivity: Capital goods enhance the productivity of labor. For example, a worker with a machine can produce more than a worker without one. Increased capital stock enables workers to produce more output, leading to economic growth. Expansion of Production Capacity: Investment in capital goods expands the economy’s ability to produce goods and services. New factories, equipment, and infrastructure allow for greater output, contributing to economic growth. Technological Progress: Capital formation is often associated with technological progress. New capital goods often embody newer, more efficient technologies, which further boost productivity and growth.

Explanation

National income is a comprehensive measure of a country’s economic performance over a specific period, typically a year. It encompasses the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a nation’s economy. This measure ensures that only the value of end products is counted, avoiding double counting of intermediate goods.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Gross National Product (GNP) includes the total value of goods and services produced by a country’s residents, both domestically and abroad. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the expenditure approach includes consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports. However, national income is more accurately captured by the income approach, which sums up wages, rents, interest, and profits. Personal income includes all income received by individuals, including transfer payments, and is not limited to income generated from production activities. Therefore, it doesn’t fully represent national income.

Explanation

The balance of payments (BoP) records the transactions in goods, services and assets between residents of a coun-try with the rest of the world for a specified time period typically a year. The balance of payments (BOP) also known as balance of international payments, summarises all transactions that a country’s individuals, companies, and government bodies complete with individuals, companies, and government bodies outside the country. These transactions consist of imports and ex-ports of goods, services, and capital, as well as transfer payments, such as foreign aid and remittances.

Explanation

Bank rate refers to the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gives loans to banks. An increase in this rate means that RBI is following a tight monetary policy as an increase in rates will lead to decrease in money circulation leading to a decrease in inflation.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Market interest rates usually rise, not fall, when the bank rate is increased. The Central Bank continues to provide loans, albeit at a higher interest rate. An easy money policy involves lowering the bank rate to encourage borrowing and investment.

Explanation

Deficit financing refers to the practice of funding government expenditure by borrowing or creating money, usually by printing currency. It involves a budget deficit, where expenditure exceeds revenue. In a developing country like India, there is a need for heavy public investment in infrastructure, social welfare schemes, and industrial devel-opment. Deficit financing helps the government to mobilize additional resources for large-scale development projects such as roads, dams, power plants, and education systems when tax revenues fall short. During periods of recession, deficit financing can stimulate demand in the economy by increasing public expenditure.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct:

Atlas Mountain: The Maghreb, often referred to as Northwest Africa, the Greater Maghreb, and historically as the Barbary Coast, is where the Atlas Mountains is situated. The Atlas Mountains divide the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The highest point of this mountain range, Toubkal (4167 m), is found in Morocco. The mountains are found in Algeria and Tunisia in addition to Morocco. The Atlas Mountains are home to populations of Berber people.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Abyssinian Plateau: The Ethiopian Plateau is also referred to as Altipiano Etiopico, Amhara Plateau, Ethiopian Massif, and Ethiopian Plateau. The Abyssinian Plateau was formerly known as Ethiopia, hence the name. The Blue Nile, which emerges from Lake Tana, is the most notable river to cross the plateau. Okavango Basin: The Okavango Basin is situated in southwest Africa comprising Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and other countries. Whilst, Patagonia refers to a geographical region that encompasses the southern end of South America, governed by Argentina and Chile. Guiana Highlands: In South America, the Guiana Highlands are situated in the south of the Orinoco River and north of the Amazon River. Parts of Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, and Colombia are included in the Guiana Highlands. Mount Roraima, located in the Guiana Highlands, has the highest elevation (2772 m).