Practice Examination: Hard-Level Multiple
Choice Questions with Detailed Answers,
Expert Rationales, and the Latest Economic
Policy & Current Affairs Updates
1. Which of the following best explains why nominal GDP
may increase while real GDP remains unchanged?
A. Increase in production with stable prices
B. Increase in exports only
C. Increase in the general price level without any increase in
output
D. Increase in labor productivity
Rationale: Real GDP measures output using constant prices,
whereas nominal GDP reflects current prices. If production
remains constant but inflation increases, nominal GDP rises
while real GDP stays unchanged.
2. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management
(FRBM) Act primarily aims to:
A. Increase capital expenditure indefinitely
B. Eliminate direct taxes
C. Promote fiscal discipline by limiting government deficits
,and debt
D. Control inflation through monetary policy
Rationale: The FRBM Act seeks to reduce fiscal deficits,
improve macroeconomic stability, and ensure responsible
borrowing. Monetary policy remains under the Reserve
Bank of India.
3. Which of the following is included in India's current
account balance?
A. Foreign Direct Investment inflows
B. Merchandise exports and imports
C. External commercial borrowings
D. Portfolio investments
Rationale: The current account includes trade in goods and
services, primary income, and transfers. Capital inflows such
as FDI belong to the capital account.
4. A depreciation of the Indian Rupee is most likely to:
A. Reduce export competitiveness
B. Lower import prices
C. Make imports more expensive while encouraging exports
D. Eliminate the trade deficit immediately
Rationale: Depreciation increases the domestic price of
imports while making Indian exports relatively cheaper
abroad, although improvements in trade balance depend on
demand elasticities.
, 5. Which inflation measure excludes food and fuel prices?
A. Headline Inflation
B. GDP Deflator
C. Core Inflation
D. Wholesale Inflation
Rationale: Core inflation excludes volatile food and fuel
prices to capture persistent inflationary pressures.
6. Open Market Operations (OMOs) conducted by the
Reserve Bank of India are primarily intended to:
A. Finance government expenditure directly
B. Regulate liquidity in the banking system
C. Increase tax revenues
D. Control imports
Rationale: Through the purchase or sale of government
securities, RBI adjusts liquidity and influences short-term
interest rates.
7. Which tax replaced multiple indirect taxes under the
Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime?
A. Income Tax
B. Securities Transaction Tax
C. VAT, Service Tax, and Excise Duty on most goods and
services
D. Customs Duty
, Rationale: GST subsumed numerous indirect taxes to create
a unified national market while Customs Duty largely
continues separately.
8. Structural unemployment in India is primarily caused by:
A. Seasonal rainfall fluctuations
B. Mismatch between worker skills and available jobs
C. Daily wage negotiations
D. Temporary factory shutdowns
Rationale: Structural unemployment arises from long-term
changes in the economy that create skill mismatches
requiring retraining or relocation.
9. Which institution is responsible for maintaining price
stability while supporting economic growth in India?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. NITI Aayog
C. Reserve Bank of India
D. SEBI
Rationale: The RBI's monetary policy framework prioritizes
inflation targeting while supporting sustainable economic
growth.
10. If the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is increased by the
RBI, the immediate effect is likely to be: