Q40. Who is credited with the first scientific estimate of Indian national income?
[BPSC 60th–62nd Prelims (2016)]
A. D. R. Gadgil
B. V. K. R. V. Rao
C. Manmohan Singh
D. Y. V. Alagh
Answer: B. V. K. R. V. Rao
Explanation: V. K. R. V. Rao pioneered systematic estimates of national income using more rigorous data and accounting methods. Dadabhai Naoroji produced an earlier historical estimate, but the question distinguishes the first scientific estimate from the earliest attempt.
Q39. What base year was used for Indian national income estimates under the series adopted in 2015?
[UPPSC Mains (2016)]
A. 2004–05
B. 2001–02
C. 2011–12
D. 2007–08
Answer: C. 2011–12
Explanation: The national accounts revision introduced in 2015 adopted 2011–12 as the reference year for constant-price estimates. Changes in estimation methods accompanied the rebase, including emphasis on gross value added at basic prices.
Q38. During 1951–52 to 2015–16, in which listed year was the growth rate of India’s real per-capita income highest?
[RPSC RAS Prelims (2016)]
A. 2015–16
B. 2010–11
C. 2007–08
D. 2014–15
Answer: C. 2007–08
Explanation: The examination’s comparison selected 2007–08 as the year with the strongest real per-capita income growth among those choices. The answer is tied to the growth data and revision series available to the paper setters.
Q37. Regarding India over the decade before this examination:
(1) real GDP growth rate rose steadily;
(2) nominal GDP level rose steadily.
Which statement was correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2015)]
A. 1 alone
B. 2 alone
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: B. 2 alone
Explanation: Real GDP growth varied rather than increasing every year. In the period specified by the original question, the rupee value of GDP at current market prices increased; the wording concerns levels, not a continuously rising growth rate.
Q36. Who chaired the National Income Committee established in 1949?
[UPPSC Mains (2015)]
A. C. R. Rao
B. P. C. Mahalanobis
C. V. K. R. V. Rao
D. K. N. Raj
Answer: B. P. C. Mahalanobis
Explanation: Professor P. C. Mahalanobis chaired the post-independence National Income Committee, assisted by economists including D. R. Gadgil and V. K. R. V. Rao. Its work advanced systematic income measurement in India.
Q35. What broad elements constituted India’s economic policy changes introduced in 1991?
[UPPSC Mains (2015)]
A. Liberalisation alone
B. Privatisation alone
C. Globalisation alone
D. All three
Answer: D. All three
Explanation: The policy package eased domestic controls, expanded private enterprise and connected markets more closely with the world economy. These jointly altered the economic environment in which national output and productivity developed.
Q34. What new GDP base year replaced 2004–05 in the series introduced in 2015?
[UPPSC Mains (2015)]
A. 2011–12
B. 2010–11
C. 2008–09
D. 2007–08
Answer: A. 2011–12
Explanation: The revised national-accounts series adopted 2011–12 as the base year, replacing the older 2004–05 reference. A base-year change affects constant-price valuation and may alter reported level and growth estimates across historical periods.
Q33. Assertion: Economic development requires a multidimensional approach.
Reason: The government then concentrated mainly on microeconomic issues.
Which choice is correct?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims (10 May 2015)]
A. Both are true and reason explains assertion
B. Both true but reason does not explain
C. Assertion true but reason false
D. Assertion false but reason true
Answer: C. Assertion true but reason false
Explanation: Economic development extends beyond growth in production to social, institutional and qualitative change, so the assertion is true. The reason as phrased oversimplifies the government’s policy focus and was judged false in the examination.
Q32. Assertion: Policy concentrates on industry, infrastructure and energy.
Reason: Large investment facilitates economic development.
What is the correct relation?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims (10 May 2015)]
A. Both true, and reason explains assertion
B. Both true, but reason is not the explanation
C. Assertion true, reason false
D. Assertion false, reason true
Answer: A. Both true, and reason explains assertion
Explanation: Infrastructure, energy supply and industry require long-term capital investment, which can expand productive capacity and remove supply constraints. The paper therefore treats the policy statement and the investment-based reasoning as both true and causally related.
Q31. Which circumstance in an economy is the most direct driver of its economic growth?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2013)]
A. Technical progress somewhere in the world
B. More population alone
C. Capital formation within the economy
D. More world trade overall
Answer: C. Capital formation within the economy
Explanation: Capital formation supplies machinery, infrastructure and productive facilities needed for expanded output. Population growth or developments elsewhere do not automatically increase the economy’s own production capacity.
