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Indian-Economy

221 Questions

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Questions

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India's fiscal deficit peaked at 9.2% of GDP in 2020-21 and is targeted at 4.3% in 2026-27. Examine the factors responsible for this consolidation and the challenges that remain.

Freebies announced before elections represent a short-term political gain at the cost of long-term fiscal sustainability." Critically examine the phenomenon of freebie culture in Indian politics, its impact on state finances, and the role of constitutional bodies like the Finance Commission, CAG, and Election Commission in regulating it.

Explain the constitutional provisions governing the Union Budget in India. How does Article 112 ensure parliamentary control over public finances?

With interest payments consuming nearly 40% of revenue receipts and market borrowings financing 69% of the fiscal deficit, assess the long-term debt sustainability of India's public finances. What structural reforms are needed?

Examine how disruptions in global oil supply chains can trigger cascading effects across manufacturing and consumer goods industries, with reference to Asia's petrochemical dependence.

Despite the onset of a major geopolitical conflict in West Asia, gold prices have fallen sharply, contradicting its historical role as a safe-haven asset. Analyse the factors responsible for this anomaly and examine its implications for India's economy and global monetary order.

Defence & National Security Spending: Defence expenditure has risen consistently from 8 paise to 11 paise per rupee over three Union Budgets. Examine the implications of this trend for India's strategic preparedness and fiscal priorities.

Capital Expenditure & Economic Growth: What is the difference between Capital Expenditure and Effective Capital Expenditure? Why does the distinction matter for assessing the true investment thrust of a Union Budget?

Taxation & Revenue Mobilisation: The GST share in total receipts has declined from 18 paise to 15 paise per rupee between FY 2024-25 and FY 2026-27. What factors explain this and what are its implications for indirect tax buoyancy?

Fiscal Policy & Deficit Management: The Primary Deficit in India has fallen from 1.4% to 0.7% of GDP over three years. Does this indicate genuine fiscal improvement or merely a reflection of rising interest payments? Analyse.

Fiscal Policy & Deficit Management: Fiscal consolidation in India has been more about optics than structural reform. In light of the Union Budget 2026-27, critically examine this statement.

Budget Process & Constitutional Framework: What is fiscal slippage? How do credit rating agencies like Moody's and S&P use fiscal slippage data to assess India's sovereign creditworthiness?

Budget Process & Constitutional Framework: Explain the constitutional and statutory framework governing the presentation of the Union Budget in India. How has the budget calendar evolved in recent years?

Fiscal Policy & Deficit Management: What is the significance of the FRBM Act, 2003 in guiding India's fiscal consolidation? Has the Budget 2026-27 adhered to its spirit?

Subsidies & Expenditure Rationalisation: Examine the trade-off between welfare spending and capital investment in Union Budget allocations. How should India navigate this tension?

Taxation & Revenue Mobilisation: Analyse the changing composition of India's tax revenue — Corporation Tax, Income Tax, GST, Excise, and Customs — over the last three Union Budgets. What trends emerge?

Subsidies & Expenditure Rationalisation: Major subsidies have remained at a constant 6 paise per rupee over three consecutive budgets. Does this reflect genuine rationalisation or deferred reform? Examine.

Taxation & Revenue Mobilisation: India's tax-to-GDP ratio remains structurally low compared to peer economies." Examine the constraints and suggest measures to broaden the direct tax base.

Capital Expenditure & Economic Growth: Grants-in-Aid for creation of Capital Assets blurs the line between revenue and capital spending." Critically examine this in the context of India's budgetary classification.

Fiscal Policy & Deficit Management: Distinguish between Fiscal Deficit, Revenue Deficit, Effective Revenue Deficit, and Primary Deficit. How does tracking all four simultaneously give a more complete picture of fiscal health?

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