Civil Services Prep

UPSC Prelims

Economy previous year questions

234 questions from 2012 to 2026, each with its answer.

UPSC Prelims 2026

  1. The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was…
  2. In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade…
  3. Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri…
  4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India : I.…
  5. An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and…
  6. Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index…
  7. Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce'…
  8. Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency…
  9. Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct? 1. Tokenization is…
  10. A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social…
  11. Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)…
  12. Which one of the following best describes the 'Crowding Out Effect' in the context of fiscal policy ?
  13. Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct ? 1. 'Aviation Hull…
  14. Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct ? 1. Crowdfunding is solicitation of funds…
  15. With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details : | Sl. No. | Committee |…
  16. Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India : 1. NBFCs cannot…

UPSC Prelims 2025

  1. With reference to investments, consider the following: I. Bonds II. Hedge Funds III. Stocks IV. Venture…
  2. Which of the following are the sources of income for the Reserve Bank of India? I. Buying and selling…
  3. Consider the following statements: I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed companies in India to…
  4. Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II.…
  5. Consider the following statements: Statement I: As regards returns from an investment in a company, generally,…
  6. Consider the following statements: I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts…
  7. Consider the following statements: I. Capital receipts create a liability or cause a reduction in the assets…
  8. Suppose the revenue expenditure is Rs.80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are Rs.60,000…
  9. A country's fiscal deficit stands at Rs.50,000 crores. It is receiving Rs.10,000 crores through non-debt…
  10. Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development…
  11. Consider the following statements in respect of RTGS and NEFT: I. In RTGS, the settlement time is…
  12. With reference to India, consider the following pairs: Organization — Union Ministry. I. The National…
  13. Consider the following activities: I. Production of crude oil. II. Refining, storage and distribution of…

UPSC Prelims 2024

  1. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: If the United States of America (USA) were to default on its…
  2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Syndicated lending spreads the risk of borrower default across…
  3. Consider the following statements in respect of the digital rupee: 1. It is a sovereign currency issued by the…
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. India is a member of the International Grains Council. 2. A country…
  5. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:…
  6. The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:
  7. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, Non-Banking Financial Companies can access the Liquidity…
  8. In India, which of the following can trade in Corporate Bonds and Government Securities? 1. Insurance…
  9. Consider the following: 1. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) 2. Motor vehicles 3. Currency swap. Which of the above…
  10. With reference to the sectors of the Indian economy, consider the following pairs: Economic activity - Sector:…
  11. With reference to physical capital in Indian economy, consider the following pairs: Items - Category: 1.…
  12. With reference to the rule/rules imposed by the Reserve Bank of India while treating foreign banks, consider…
  13. With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements: 1.…
  14. With reference to the Indian economy, "Collateral Borrowing and Lending Obligations" are the instruments of:

UPSC Prelims 2023

  1. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Interest income from the deposits in Infrastructure Investment…
  2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In the post-pandemic recent past, many Central Banks worldwide…
  3. Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of…
  4. Consider the following markets: 1. Government Bond Market 2. Call Money Market 3. Treasury Bill Market 4.…
  5. Consider the investments in the following assets: 1. Brand recognition 2. Inventory 3. Intellectual property…
  6. Consider the following: 1. Demographic performance 2. Forest and ecology 3. Governance reforms 4. Stable…
  7. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms…
  8. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods.…
  9. Consider the following statements with reference to India: 1. According to the 'Micro, Small and Medium…
  10. With reference to Central Bank digital currencies, consider the following statements: 1. It is possible to…
  11. In the context of finance, the term 'beta' refers to
  12. Consider the following statements: 1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the…

UPSC Prelims 2022

  1. "Rapid Financing Instrument" and "Rapid Credit Facility" are related to the provisions of lending by which one…
  2. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. An increase in Nominal Effective…
  3. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high,…
  4. With reference to the "G20 Common Framework", consider the following statements: 1. It is an initiative…
  5. With reference to the Indian economy, what are the advantages of "Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs)"? 1.…
  6. With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India, which of the following statements is/are…
  7. Which of the following activities constitute real sector in the economy? 1. Farmers harvesting their crops 2.…
  8. Which one of the following situations best reflects "Indirect Transfers" often talked about in media recently…
  9. With reference to the expenditure made by an organisation or a company, which of the following statements…
  10. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. A share of the household financial…
  11. Consider the following statements: 1. Tight monetary policy of US Federal Reserve could lead to capital…
  12. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by Reserve Bank of India.…
  13. With reference to the 'Banks Board Bureau (BBB)', which of the following statements are correct? 1. The…
  14. With reference to Convertible Bonds, consider the following statements: 1. As there is an option to exchange…
  15. Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in…
  16. In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?
  17. In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and…
  18. In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)? 1. CCO is the major source of Coal…

UPSC Prelims 2021

  1. Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the…
  2. With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers…
  3. Which among the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?
  4. Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase…
  5. With reference to 'Urban Cooperative Banks' in India, consider the following statements: 1. They are…
  6. Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? 1. Actions of the United States…
  7. Consider the following: 1. Foreign currency convertible bonds 2. Foreign institutional investment with certain…
  8. Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily 1. improves…
  9. Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the…
  10. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?
  11. The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
  12. With reference to Indian economy, demand-pull inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? 1.…
  13. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Retail investors through demat account can…
  14. In India, the central bank's function as the 'lender of last resort' usually refers to which of the following?…
  15. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast…

UPSC Prelims 2020

  1. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are…
  2. If you withdraw Rs. 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on…
  3. "Gold Tranche" (Reserve Tranche) refers to
  4. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include…
  5. What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India? 1. It helps in understanding…
  6. Consider the following statements: 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last…
  7. Consider the following statements: 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that…
  8. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. 'Commercial Paper' is a short-term…
  9. With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major…
  10. With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are…
  11. The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of
  12. In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? 1. Housing loans…
  13. With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct?…
  14. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? 1. Cut…
  15. With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following…

UPSC Prelims 2019

  1. With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements: 1. AIIB has…
  2. What was the purpose of Inter-Creditor Agreement signed by Indian banks and financial institutions recently?
  3. The Chairman of public sector banks are selected by the
  4. Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business Index'?
  5. In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?
  6. The Service Area Approach was implemented under the purview of
  7. Consider the following statements: 1. Most of India's external debt is owed by governmental entities. 2. All…
  8. Which of the following is not included in the assets of a commercial bank in India?
  9. In the context of India, which of the following factors is/are contributor/contributors to reducing the risk…
  10. Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to…
  11. With reference to India's Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the…
  12. Consider the following statements: 1. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates are calculated by comparing…
  13. Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian…
  14. Consider the following statements: The Reserve Bank of India's recent directives relating to 'Storage of…
  15. The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
  16. Consider the following statements: As per the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central (Amendment)…
  17. With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
  18. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the
  19. In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because
  20. Consider the following statements: 1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira…

UPSC Prelims 2018

  1. Which one of the following best describes the term "Merchant Discount Rate" sometimes seen in news?
  2. With reference to India's decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered…
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee…
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic…
  5. Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India?
  6. Consider the following statements: 1. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the amount that banks have to maintain…
  7. India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply…
  8. With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements: 1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer…
  9. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the meaning of legal tender money?
  10. If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then
  11. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if
  12. Consider the following statements: Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a…
  13. Despite being a high saving economy, capital formation may not result in significant increase in output due to
  14. Consider the following statements: 1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India…
  15. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: 1. It is the…
  16. With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements: 1.…
  17. Consider the following items: 1. Cereals grains hulled 2. Chicken eggs cooked 3. Fish processed and canned 4.…

UPSC Prelims 2017

  1. With reference to 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are…
  2. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an
  3. Which of the following statements best describes the term 'Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed…
  4. Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991? 1.…
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) helps in promoting the…
  6. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing 'Goods and Services Tax (GST)'? 1. It will replace…
  7. 'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of…
  8. Consider the following statements: 1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO. 2. TFA…
  9. Consider the following statements: 1. Tax revenue as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the…
  10. The term 'Domestic Content Requirement' is sometimes seen in the news with reference to
  11. Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)?
  12. Consider the following statements: 1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for…
  13. With reference to the 'National Intellectual Property Rights Policy', consider the following statements: 1. It…
  14. What is the purpose of setting up of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India? 1. To supply credit to small…
  15. Which of the following is a most likely consequence of implementing the 'Unified Payments Interface (UPI)'?
  16. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the 'Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)'? 1. It…

UPSC Prelims 2016

  1. Regarding 'Atal Pension Yojana', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a minimum…
  2. 'European Stability Mechanism', sometimes seen in the news, is an
  3. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken…
  4. The establishment of 'Payment Banks' is being allowed in India to promote financial inclusion. Which of the…
  5. Which one of the following is a purpose of 'UDAY', a scheme of the Government?
  6. With reference to 'IFC Masala Bonds', sometimes seen in the news, which of the statements given below is/are…
  7. In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms 'amber box, blue box and green box'…
  8. Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on…
  9. Recently, which one of the following currencies has been proposed to be added to the basket of IMF's SDR?
  10. With reference to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), consider the following…
  11. Which of the following best describes the term 'import cover', sometimes seen in the news?
  12. With reference to 'Stand Up India Scheme', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Its purpose is…
  13. The term 'Core Banking Solutions' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following statements best…
  14. India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following…
  15. What is/are the purpose/purposes of the 'Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR)' announced by RBI?…
  16. With reference to 'Financial Stability and Development Council', consider the following statements: 1. It is…
  17. The term 'Base Erosion and Profit Shifting' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
  18. Recently, India's first 'National Investment and Manufacturing Zone' was proposed to be set up in
  19. What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India? 1. Promoting mineral exploration…
  20. What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government's 'Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme' and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'?…
  21. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at
  22. 'Global Financial Stability Report' is prepared by the

UPSC Prelims 2015

  1. 'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for
  2. With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It…
  3. A decrease in tax to GDP ratio of a country indicates which of the following? 1. Slowing economic growth rate…
  4. In the 'Index of Eight Core Industries', which one of the following is given the highest weight?
  5. Which one of the following issues the 'Global Economic Prospects' report periodically?
  6. When the Reserve Bank of India reduces the Statutory Liquidity Ratio by 50 basis points, which of the…
  7. Which of the following brings out the "Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers"?
  8. Convertibility of rupee implies
  9. 'Basel III Accord' or simply 'Basel III', often seen in the news, seeks to
  10. With reference to Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. The rate of growth of Real Gross…
  11. With reference to Indian economy, consider the following: 1. Bank rate 2. Open market operations 3. Public…
  12. With reference to inflation in India, which of the following statements is correct?
  13. The substitution of steel for wooden ploughs in agricultural production is an example of
  14. The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of
  15. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the…
  16. Which of the following has/have been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status? 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees…
  17. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following…

UPSC Prelims 2014

  1. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a
  2. What does venture capital mean?
  3. The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is
  4. With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account? 1.…
  5. The terms 'Marginal Standing Facility Rate' and 'Net Demand and Time Liabilities', sometimes appearing in…
  6. What is/are the facility/facilities the beneficiaries can get from the services of Business Correspondent…
  7. In the context of Indian economy, which of the following is/are the purpose/purposes of 'Statutory Reserve…
  8. Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as 'World Economic Outlook'?
  9. With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure? 1. Defence…
  10. If the interest rate is decreased in an economy, it will

UPSC Prelims 2013

  1. Which of the following constitute Capital Account? 1. Foreign Loans 2. Foreign Direct Investment 3. Private…
  2. Consider the following statements: 1. Inflation benefits the debtors. 2. Inflation benefits the bond-holders.…
  3. Disguised unemployment generally means
  4. Consider the following liquid assets: 1. Demand deposits with the banks 2. Time deposits with the banks 3.…
  5. In the context of Indian economy, 'Open Market Operations' refers to
  6. Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes the lending to
  7. To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
  8. A rise in general level of prices may be caused by 1. An increase in the money supply 2. A decrease in the…
  9. Which one of the following groups of items is included in India's foreign-exchange reserves?
  10. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effect?
  11. Supply of money remaining the same when there is an increase in demand for money, there will be
  12. Economic growth in country X will necessarily have to occur if
  13. The national income of a country for a given period is equal to the
  14. With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements…
  15. The balance of payments of a country is a systematic record of
  16. The Reserve Bank of India regulates the commercial banks in matters of 1. liquidity of assets 2. branch…
  17. An increase in the Bank Rate generally indicates that the
  18. In India, deficit financing is used for raising resources for

UPSC Prelims 2012

  1. How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor? 1. By setting…
  2. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP…
  3. What is/are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing…
  4. In India, in the overall index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined…
  5. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers' bank. This would imply which of the following? 1. Other…
  6. Under which of the following circumstances may 'capital gains' arise? 1. When you sell a house. 2. When there…
  7. Which of the following measures would result in an increase in the money supply in the economy? 1. Purchase of…
  8. Which of the following would include Foreign Direct Investment in India? 1. Subsidiaries of foreign companies…
  9. Consider the following statements: The price of any currency in international market is decided by the 1.…
  10. The basic aim of Lead Bank Scheme is that
  11. Despite having large reserves of coal, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal? 1. It is the policy…