Q300. Who is the Nobel laureate widely associated with the development of modern microfinance?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 25 Jul, Shift 2 2023]
A. Amartya Sen
B. Raghuram Rajan
C. Muhammad Yunus
D. Milton Friedman
Answer: (C) Muhammad Yunus
Explanation: Muhammad Yunus is closely associated with Grameen Bank and the spread of microcredit for low-income borrowers. He and Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their work with grassroots economic development.
Q299. Which 2010 RBI committee studied concerns in India’s microfinance sector?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 25 Jul, Shift 1 2023]
A. Malegam Committee
B. Sivaraman Committee
C. Sarkaria Commission
D. Ashok Mehta Committee
Answer: (A) Malegam Committee
Explanation: The Y. H. Malegam committee was constituted in 2010 to examine microfinance sector issues, including borrower protection and institutional conduct. Its recommendations informed subsequent regulatory changes involving NBFC microfinance institutions.
Q298. Which is the false statement about monetary regulation by RBI and securities regulation by SEBI?
[SSC CHSL Tier I, 2 Aug, Shift 4 2023]
A. RBI determines bank rate
B. SEBI conducts RBI open-market operations
C. RBI is the currency issuer
D. The government issues ₹1 coins
Answer: (B) SEBI conducts RBI open-market operations
Explanation: Open-market purchases and sales of government securities for monetary liquidity management are undertaken by RBI, not SEBI. SEBI’s statutory mandate focuses on securities-market oversight and investor protection.
Q297. Which of these exchanges is India’s oldest organised stock exchange?
[SSC CHSL Tier I, 15 Mar, Shift 1 2023]
A. Multi Commodity Exchange
B. NCDEX
C. Bombay Stock Exchange
D. National Stock Exchange
Answer: (C) Bombay Stock Exchange
Explanation: The Bombay Stock Exchange traces its origins to the nineteenth century, with its establishment conventionally dated to 1875. It is older than India’s modern nationwide electronic stock exchanges and derivatives platforms.
Q296. What type of account does an Indian bank maintain with a foreign bank in the latter’s local currency?
[SSC CHSL Tier I, 9 Mar, Shift 3 2023]
A. Nostro account
B. Vostro account
C. LIBOR contract
D. MIBOR facility
Answer: (A) Nostro account
Explanation: A nostro account is a bank’s own account held with another bank abroad, commonly denominated in a foreign currency. It facilitates settlement of international payments and cross-border banking transactions.
Q295. Which national financial-inclusion programme was launched in 2014?
[MPSC Rajyaseva GS I 2023]
A. Disclosure of property scheme
B. General currency demonetisation
C. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
D. All three
Answer: (C) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Explanation: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in August 2014 to expand access to banking, savings and related financial services. The programme is a national financial-inclusion mission rather than a demonetisation or property-disclosure initiative.
Q294. What category of bond dedicates its proceeds to environmentally sustainable investment?
[WBCS Prelims 2023]
A. Green bond
B. A currency note
C. An overdraft
D. A treasury deposit receipt
Answer: (A) Green bond
Explanation: A green bond is a debt instrument whose proceeds are designated for eligible environmentally beneficial projects. Issuers must ordinarily disclose and report the use of proceeds under relevant green-finance frameworks.
Q293. Which combination is treated as external financial-account flows rather than inward remittances in a balance-of-payments question?
[WBCS Prelims 2023]
A. Foreign loans, FDI and portfolio investments
B. Only workers’ remittances
C. Only tourism receipts
D. Only goods exports
Answer: (A) Foreign loans, FDI and portfolio investments
Explanation: Foreign borrowing, foreign direct investment and portfolio capital represent financing flows across borders. Workers’ remittances are normally current transfers and therefore enter the current account, not the financial-account investment category.
Q292. Which statutory body supervises and regulates microfinance institutions in India?
[SSC MTS, 11 Sep Shift 1 2023]
A. SEBI
B. SIDBI
C. Reserve Bank of India
D. NABARD
Answer: (C) Reserve Bank of India
Explanation: The RBI regulates microfinance lending within its legal framework and has issued rules on credit assessment, pricing disclosure, recovery practices and borrowers’ protection. NABARD supports rural development, while SEBI primarily regulates securities markets.
Q291. Which institution has authority to issue currency notes in India, apart from the government-issued one-rupee note?
[SSC MTS (2022 cycle), 15 May Shift 2 2023]
A. Industrial Finance Corporation
B. National Payments Corporation
C. Reserve Bank of India
D. State Bank of India
Answer: (C) Reserve Bank of India
Explanation: The RBI has the statutory responsibility for issuing most Indian banknotes under the RBI Act. One-rupee notes are issued by the Government of India. Printing and issuance are different functions, though the central bank coordinates the supply.
