UPSC

ECONOMICS OPTIONAL
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
TILL 2020 MAINS

PAPER 2
BY ECOHOLICS

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ECONOMICS OPTIONAL
MAINS EXAMINATION OF CIVIL SERVICES EXAM
PAPER 2

6. Indian Economy in Pre-Independence Era:

6.1 Land System and its changes
6.2 Commercialization of agriculture
6.3 Drain Theory
6.4 Laissez faire theory and critique
6.5 Manufacture and Transport: Jute, Cotton, Railways
6.6 Money and Credit

1. Analyse the effects of colonialism on de- industrialization in India during the 18th
century. (2020)
2. Examine how the lassiez faire Policy was responsible for the famine in late 19th century
India. (2020)
3. The impact of Land tenure system adopted by the British on the peasants and
productivity of Indian agriculture. (2020)
4. How the currency policy of British affected the growth of monetisation in the Indian
economy during 19th century. (2020)
5. Evaluate the development of transport system in India during 1857 to 1947. (2020)
6. Account for the commercialisation of Indian agriculture during the second half of the 19th
century and analyse its effects. (2019)
7. Do you agree that the development of Indian railways during the British Rule helped
facilitate the process of industrialisation? Give reasons. (2019)
8. Trace the development of the cotton textile industry in India during the British period.
Discuss the major problems faced by the industry in different stages of its growth during
this period. (2019)
9. Explain the underlying causes and effects of deindustrialisation in India during the 19 th
century. (2019)
10. Examine the theory of “Economic Drain” in the second half of the 19th century in India and
discuss its economic effects. (2019)

11. Do you agree with the view that the objective of industrial and commercial policies of
Brtitish was to transform India as a complementary economy of England? Give reasons.
(2018)
12. Examine the features of permanent land settlement as introduced by Lord Cornwallis.
(2018)

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13. Examine the problems faced by jute mills in India during the early years of their existence.
(2018)
14. ‘British rule led to India’s underdevelopment’. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of
your answer. (2018)

15. What were the considerations underlying the initiation of the railways and the road
transport system in India in the 19th century? (2017)
16. Write a brief note on the state of manufacturing in India in the 18th century and the
subsequent re-industrialisation. (2017)
17. What is drain theory? How does it explain the backwardness of India in the 19th century?
(2017)
18. Do you think that the attitude of the British Government towards the Indian economy
changed markedly at the turn of the 19th century? Give specific instances supporting your
argument. (2017)

19. What were the broad considerations underlying the different types of land settlements in
India during the colonial rule? Discuss. (2016)
20. What were the economic consequences of discriminating protection in the trade policy
during the British Regime? (2016)
21. Discuss the manufacturing condition prevailed during pre-independence period. Do you
feel that private sector did not come forward for investment due to fear of
Nationalisation? Give reasons. (2016)
22. Explain how Railways played an important role in unifying the people of India during pre-
independence period. (2016)

23. How did railways continue to India’s economic development in the pre-independence
era? (2015)
24. What specific trade policies during the British period led to the decline of Indian industry?
Explain. (2015)
25. During the British Rule, India was rooted with seeds of modernisation, but the country
remained underdeveloped. Discuss. (2015)

26. Land system during the British period was responsible for sustained poverty in India and
stagnant growth of Indian economy. Discuss. (2014)
27. Write about the policy of discriminating protection during the British rule and its impact
on industrial development in India. (2014)

28. Write on ‘Drain Theory’ as developed by Dadabhai Naoroji. How does it explain sustained
poverty during the British Rule in India? (2013)

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29. Mixed economy is an outcome of the compromise between laissez-faire capitalism and
socialist state control of resources. Elaborate. Mention its salient features. (2013)

30. During the British rule, commercialisation of agriculture was forced on the farmers, while
now it is the need of the hour. Discuss. (2012)

31. Discuss policy of Discriminating Protection and its impact on Industrial development
during the British period. (2011)
32. Elaborate upon Gandhian versus Nehruvian visions of India’s development. Do you think
Gandhian approach is again attracting scholars and the people? Give reasons. (2011)

33. Compare and contrast the ‘Swadeshi’ of 1905 and the ‘Swadeshi’ promoted later by
Mahatma Gandhi. (2010)
34. Gunder Frank held that development of one part of the world causes underdevelopment
of another part. Does it explain industrialisation of Britain and the de-industrialisation of
India during the British Raj? Assess. (2010)
35. What were the shortages faced by the manufacturing sector in India at the dawn of
Independence? (2010)

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7. Indian Economy after Independence:

7.1 Contribution of Vakil, Gadgil and V.K.R.V. Rao
7.2 Agriculture: Land Reforms and land tenure system, Green Revolution and capital formation in
agriculture
7.3 Industry Trends in composition and growth, Role of public and private sector, Small scale and
cottage industries
7.4 National and Per capita income: patterns, trends, aggregate and Sectoral composition and
changes there in
7.5 Broad factors determining National Income and distribution, Measures of poverty, Trends in
poverty and inequality
7.6 New Economic Reform and Agriculture: Agriculture and WTO, Food processing, Subsidies,
Agricultural prices and public distribution system, Impact of public expenditure on agricultural
growth
7.7 New Economic Policy and Industry: Strategy of industrialization, Privatization, Disinvestments,
Role of foreign direct investment and multinationals
7.8 New Economic Policy and Trade: Intellectual property rights: Implications of TRIPS, TRIMS, GATS
and new EXIM policy
7.9 New Exchange Rate Regime: Partial and full convertibility, Capital account convertibility
7.10 New Economic Policy and Public Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Act, Twelfth Finance Commission
and Fiscal Federalism and Fiscal Consolidation
7.11 New Economic Policy and Monetary System: Role of RBI under the new regime
7.12 Planning: From central Planning to indicative planning, Relation between planning and markets
for growth and decentralized planning: 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments
7.13 New Economic Policy and Employment: Employment and poverty, Rural wages, Employment
Generation, Poverty alleviation schemes, New Rural, Employment Guarantee Scheme

1. Explain the trend in gross capital formation in agriculture in India during the post
liberalization. Do you think that private investment has been crowded out by the public
investment during this period? (2020)
2. Examine the efficacy in resilience of public distribution system in India for providing food
security. (2020)
3. What is intellectual property? Why does intellectual property need to be promoted and
protected? (2020)
4. Critically examine the role of RBI in maintaining its financial stability under the new Regime
of monetary system. (2020)
5. Discuss the role of Fiscal responsibility and budget management Act 2003 in improving the
fiscal health of state finances in India. (2020)
6. Examine the recent trend in rural wages in India. Discuss the role of MGNREGA in
determining this Trend. (2020)
7. Distinguish between fiscal federalism and fiscal consolidation. Discuss the fundamental
changes in Indian fiscal federalism after introducing GST. (2020)

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8. Critically examine the strategy of disinvestment in improving the growth of manufacturing

sector. (2020)
9. Describe the salient features of new foreign trade policy 2015-20 India. Examine its role in
improving the current account balance. (2020)
10. Analyse the trends in GDP growth and inequality during the first three decades of planning
in India. Has the distribution of income in India become more equal during the post Reform
period? Suggest some policy measures that could help reduce income inequalities. (2020)
11. Discuss the changes in sectoral composition of GDP with the changes and sectoral
components of employment in India since independence. (2020)
12. While absolute poverty declines over the decades, the poverty gap between different social
groups shows rising trend in India. Discuss. (2020)
13. Evaluate the role of FDI in contributing economic growth of India. (2020)
14. Do you think the food processing sector as the sunrise sector in India during the post Reform
period? Justify your answer. (2020)
15. Discuss the relevance of decentralized planning after the implementation of the 74th
constitutional amendment act 1992. (2020)
16. Do you think that Indian currency is fully convertible? Explain. (2020)
17. Comment on poverty alleviation schemes undertaken by the government of India for urban
poor. (2020)
18. Evaluate the contributions of vkrv Rao in national income accounting of India.
19. Comment on the role of public sector during the early phase of industrial development in
India. (2020)
20. Analyse the impact of fertilizer subsidy on agricultural productivity growth during the post
reform period. (2020)
21. Analyse the validity of the inverted u shaped hypothesis of kuznet's in the context of
changes in inequality in India. (2020)
22. What are the major problems faced by small scale industries? Examine the role of MSMED
Act 2006 in enhancing productivity of small scale industries in India. (2020)
23. Examine the new manufacturing policy 2011 for fostering industrial growth in India. (2020)
24. Highlight the main contributions of C.N. Vakil to Indian planning as opposed to that of the
Mahalanobis Model at the time of the formulation of the Second Five Year Plan for India.
(2019)
25. How has the movement of agricultural prices during the post-liberalisation period been
responsible for farmers’ distress in India? (2019)
26. Evaluate the Competition Act, 2002, relative to the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
Practices Act. (2019)
27. “The progress in the implementation of tenancy and revenue reforms during the first three
decades after independence in India was not satisfactory.” Do you agree with this view? Do
you think that the advent of the Green Revolution made such land reforms policy
redundant? (2019)

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28. Discuss the technological factors relating to the Green Revolution in India. (2019)
29. Do you think that the fall in public investment in agriculture adversely affects the
productivity growth of this sector in India? Give reasons. (2019)
30. Explain the principal causes of deceleration in industrial growth during the mid 1960’s to mid
1970’s in India. Do you think that the reasons for the slowdown in industrial growth since
the late 1990’s are basically different from those of the earlier deceleration? Answer with
proper arguments. (2019)
31. Examine the role of capital account convertibility in controlling deficit in the current account
of India’s Balance of Payments (BOPs). (2019)
32. Would you advocate a programme of Universal Basic Income (UBI) to reduce extreme
poverty in India? Discuss in detail. (2019)
33. What reforms would you advocate to make the public distribution system (PDS) in India
more effective? (2019)
34. Has India been able to exploit the potential of foreign direct investment (FDI) for export
oriented production? Give reasons for your answer. (2019)
35. Examine the trends in GDP at factor cost during the pre-reform period in India. (2019)
36. How is the methodology followed by the Rangarajan Committee different from that of the
Tendulkar Committee in measuring poverty in India? (2019)
37. Differentiate between plan and non- plan expenditure as used in the government budget. Is
this distinction relevant for government finances in India today? (2019)
38. Discuss the disinvestment policy adopted by the Government of India as a part of structural
adjustment programme of the IMF and the World Bank. Examine the impact of such a policy
on industrial growth in India. (2019)
39. Narrate the implications of the TRIPS Agreement with special reference to the
pharmaceutical sector in India. (2019)
40. Critically examine the role of WTO on agricultural exports in India. (2019)
41. Why is monetary transmission not effective in India? In the context of the recent
announcement by the RBI, compare the efficacy of external benchmarks in bank loans with
internal benchmarks for improving monetary transmissions through the banking channel.
(2019)
42. What is fiscal federalism? Examine the role of the various Finance Commissions since 2001 in
reducing horizontal and vertical fiscal imbalances. (2019)
43. Do you think that planning has a role in the context of market based development of India?
Answer with arguments. (2019)
44. What are the core objectives of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS)? In what ways has a paradigm shift taken place with the
implementation of MNREGA? (2019)
45. How does the strategy of industrialisation under the New Economic Policy promote
productivity growth in manufacturing industries in India? Explain. (2019)
46. Examine the relation between casualisation of employment and poverty in India. (2019)

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47. How did V.K.R.V Rao improve upon the earlier national income estimates of India? (2018)
48. How did Gold Bullion Standard end with ‘ratio controversy’ in British India? (2018)
49. Explain how multi-dimensional poverty index is computed? (2018)
50. Elaborate on the phenomenon of ‘missing middle’ in Indian manufacturing sector. (2018)
51. Reflect on issues and implications of structural transformation in India’s national income.
(2018)
52. How would you justify the policy of land reforms in the light of the farm size productivity
debate in India? (2018)
53. Analyse the salient features of ‘interest subvention scheme’ and its implications on the farm
sector. (2018)
54. Comment on the new initiatives taken by the government to facilitate investment and ease
of doing business. (2018)
55. The chequered fiscal history of India of the last fifteen years has been a saga of fiscal
prudence on the part of the States and fiscal profligacy by the Centre. Do you agree? Give
reasons. (2018)
56. Reflect on the relationship among economic growth, inequality and poverty in the post-
reform period in India. (2018)
57. Do you agree that MNREGA has been plagued with rampant malpractices, leakage of funds
and diversion of resources? Give reasons. (2018)
58. Horticulture is now the growth driver of Indian Agriculture. Discuss the issue in the broad
context of rural diversification. (2018)
59. Critically examine the relative contributions of public and private sectors in the pre-
liberalisation period in India. (2018)
60. Explain why the use of organic farming should be encouraged in India. (2018)
61. How can the organised manufacturing sector be revived as an engine of inclusive growth?
(2018)
62. Do you agree that fiscal slippage in the recent past is structural in nature? Also suggest road
map for fiscal consolidation in the next few years. (2018)
63. The state-controlled section of India’s banking sector continues to be a major problem for
policy makers. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer. (2018)
64. Do you think that the green revolution had limited impact on Indian agriculture? Justify your
answer. (2018)
65. Demonetisation has been a radical and unprecedented step with short-run costs and long-
term benefits. Give reasons in support of this statement. (2018)
66. Throw light on the poverty debate in the pre-liberalisation era in India. (2018)
67. How the setting-up of NITI Aayog has changed the planning perspective in India? Explain.
(2018)
68. Do you believe that capital account convertibility is feasible under the present circumstances
in India? Explain. (2018)

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69. Describe the salient features of TRIMS. How has it impacted the textile and clothing sector in
India? (2018)
70. Why should FDI be preferred over FPI? Comment on government’s initiatives in their
respect. (2018)

71. Would you advocate that the income of rich farmers should be taxed in India? Give reasons.
(2017)
72. “Subsidies are a source of inefficiency and corruption.” Do you agree with the statement in
the Indian context? Justify your answer. (2017)
73. What caused the problem of non-performing assets of Indian commercial banks and what
cures are being suggested to solve the problem? (2017)
74. What is your assessment of the principal impact of the recent demonetization in India in the
immediate and medium terms? (2017)
75. India has a vast potential to reap a demographic dividend. Explain the point and discuss the
necessary measures to realise it. (2017)
76. What is the broad trend of the manufacturing sector’s relative share in GDP in India over the
last four decades? How do you view its performance and what actions does the government
contemplate in this matter? (2017)
77. India’s economic growth is associated with rising inequality. How does it so happen and
what actions need to be taken to mitigate the problem? (2017)
78. Write a note on the broad trend of India’s foreign trade and current account balance during
roughly the last one decade. (2017)
79. Critically examine the Disinvestment Policy of the Government of India. (2017)

80. Explain the salient features of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in India and
elaborate the impact of its implementation. (2016)
81. Do you agree with the view that an increase in the productivity of agriculture as a result of
Green Revolution was only short-term? Give reasons. (2016)
82. What were the economic and non-economic rationale for adopting mixed-economy model
in India? (2016)
83. Discuss the basic features of the IInd five year plan in India. (2016)
84. Discuss the Wage-Goods model of development as given by C.N. Vakil and P.R. bramhanand.
(2016)
85. Critically examine the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty. Between
the two which is more appropriate? Give reasons. (2016)
86. Explain the major tools for measuring inequality. Highlight the more appropriate method of
measuring inequality. (2016)
87. Examine the implications of Trade Related Intellectual property Rights (TRIPS) on Indian
Economy. (2016)

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88. What is ‘Crony Capitalism’? Is it true that almost all Developing Countries are facing the
threat of ‘Crony Capitalism’ in their development efforts? (2016)
89. Examine the process of introducing and passing GST Bill in parliament. How it helps in Fiscal
Consolidation in the country? (2016)
90. What were the major hurdles to development as experienced in India during first decade
after independence? Discuss them and what steps were taken to remove them? (2016)
91. “Partial Capital Account Convertibility cannot serve the purpose of integrating Indian
Economy with World Economy”. Critically examine. (2016)
92. Critically examine the salient features of Fiscal Responsibility Act. (2016)
93. Examine the basic features of the National Food Security Act 2013. (2016)
94. Bring out the salient features of New EXIM policy of Government of India. (2016)
95. Write short notes on “Skill India” and “Make in India”. (2016)
96. Monetary Policy in India is often criticised as ineffective because large part of the country is
not yet monetised. Do you agree with the view? Give reasons. (2016)
97. Trace the development of Non Banking Financial Companies in India since the liberalisation
era and comment on their impact on the effectiveness of the interest rate policies of the
RBI. (2016)
98. During post-independence era India assigned the role of ‘Commanding Heights’ to the public
undertakings. Should this policy be continued? Give reasons for your answer. (2016)
99. Explain the contribution of V.K.R.V. Rao in the estimation of National Income. (2016)
100. Critically examine the major changes in FDI policies of the Government of India since
1991. (2016)
101. What are the basic features of new national rural employment guarantee scheme?
What are the impediments in their implication? (2016)
102. “Agriculture Subsidy is both an Economic as well as Social issue, hence the
Government finds it difficult to take a decisive decision”. Comment on the above statement.
(2016)
103. Discuss the changes in the sectoral composition of GDP in recent years. (2016)

104. What was the impact of policy reservation in favour of small scale industries in India
during the post-independence but pre-liberalisation era? (2015)
105. Do you think that full convertibility of rupee on capital account will help in
accelerating India’s economic growth? Give reasons. (2015)
106. Why did the socialist order fail and the country had to resort to the market economy
system? Give reasons. (2015)
107. Do you think that pursuit of wage goods -model could have been more appropriate
for post-independence strategy of development? Give reasons. (2015)
108. Explain the major factors that affected the growth rate of the economy in post-
independence India till 1991. (2015)

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109. How does population growth affect economic development of a country? Can the
age structure of population alter the pattern of development in a country? Examine in the
light of the Indian experience. (2015)
110. What are the different types of agricultural subsidies that are given to the farmers in
India? How can these be rationalised? (2015)
111. The ‘dichotomy of development’ in India emerged owing to ‘governance deficit’ and
‘crony capitalism’. Examine. (2015)
112. It is often said that the prime generator of economic growth in India in the post-
liberalisation period has been the service sector. Do you agree with this view? What has
been its implication on the balance of payments in India? (2015)
113. High Minimum Support Prices (MSP) induce distortions, some of which ultimately
hurt the poor. Examine its merits and demerits. (2015)
114. Market economy excludes poor from the consumer as well as employment market.
Discuss how one can safeguard the interests of population below poverty line? (2015)
115. Highlight the basic features of National Food Security act (NFSA), 2013. Can it solve
the problem of malnutrition in the country? Discuss. (2015)
116. Discuss the recent initiatives for augmenting power generation in India. (2015)
117. What are the broad features of the proposed GST Model? (2015)
118. What are the major factors behind accumulation of non-performing assets in the
Indian banking sector in recent years? Discuss. (2015)
119. ‘Financial inclusion is one of the most essential components of inclusive growth.’
Comment. (2015)
120. What is your opinion on the view that the economic reform process has largely
bypassed agriculture? (2015)
121. Non-banking financial institutions need to be effectively regulated and monitored in
India. Can you suggest some measures in this direction? (2015)
122. In the context of the information technology revolution, Digital India Programme , is
significant instrument of administrative reforms. Do you agree? (2015)
123. Rural poverty continues to be a chronic problem in India, which cannot be taken
care of by anti-poverty programmes but by creation of permanent assets. Discuss. (2015)
124. There is a need for an ‘apex agency’ to monitor and to regulate the entry and
functioning of transnational corporations in the context of India’s broader national interest.
Give arguments in support of your answer. (2015)
125. Agro-based industries, especially food-processing units, can alter the fate of rural
India. Discuss. (2015)
126. Explain the recent policy initiatives for enhancing crude oil and natural gas
production in India. (2015)
127. What are the main components of the National Manufacturing Policy, 2014?
Discuss. (2015)

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128. What are the major recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission?
(2015)

129. Why socialist model of development could not bring about equitable distribution of
income in India and the country remained on a slow growth trajectory of 3 to 3.5 percent for
a long time? Discuss. (2014)
130. Specify the main factors which hindered trickle-down in Indian economy and agenda
of ‘inclusive growth’ is being pressed into for economic justice. (2014)
131. What are the consequences of deviation from socialistic pattern of society and
mixed economy particularly for the persons below the poverty line? Explain. (2014)
132. Elaborate growth-mediated security and support-led security strategies of poverty
alleviation given by Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen. (2014)
133. Do you think Gandhian vision of development is still relevant in India? Explain with
reasons. (2014)
134. Why are land reforms still not complete in India? What are the obstacles in its way?
Elaborate. (2014)
135. Why Green Revolution lost its stream and India needs yet another Green Revolution
or Evergreen Revolution? Discuss. (2014)
136. Highlight the structural changes in Indian economy before 1991. (2014)
137. Examine the Labour Policy of India and its impact on employment (labour) market in
Indian economy. (2014)
138. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be reoriented to create
productive permanent assets to promote employment and generate income in the rural
sector. Critically evaluate. (2014)
139. What are the factors responsible for large number of farmers’ suicides in relatively
richer than Indian States? Examine. (2014)
140. In Indian economy, dichotomy of development emerged during the pre-reform
period despite efforts of holistic development. Delineate the factors responsible for it.
(2014)
141. Highlight the issues of Bhagwati-Sen controversy over tackling poverty and slow
growth rate. (2014)
142. While Indian economic growth in recent years is services-led growth and Chinese
model for long-term sustainable development. (2014)
143. Employment pattern in India in post-reform period has moved in favour of
contractual, casual and self-employment. How public sector employment deceleration
would impact the future of labour (employment) market in India? Elaborate. (2014)
144. Skill development and thereby raising labour productivity like that in China would be
the only panacea for long-term growth in Indian economy. Discuss. (2014)

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145. Second generation economic reforms are crucial for raising the growth rate of
economy. Throw light on these dimensions. (2014)
146. What are the salient features of FRBM Act? Examine the criticisms labelled against
it? (2014)
147. Discuss the issues involved in Capital Account Convertibility. In light of this, explain
India’s important Capital Account Liberalization measures. (2014)
148. How global financial crisis and sovereign debt crisis of European nations exposed the
disturbing role of speculative motive and fiscal imprudence? What lesson could India derive
from it? (2014)
149. ‘Elitist bias’ and ‘crony capitalism have eclipsed the issues of efficiency and
distributive justice in India. Elaborate. (2014)
150. Vitalization of rural economy is key to ‘inclusive growth’ which is possible through
‘strategic management’ and technological upgradation. Explain. (2014)
151. How could e-governance tackle the issues of corruption and inefficiency in the
government sector to lead to higher growth rate in the economy? Discuss. (2014)
152. Subsidy is a contentious issue and roadblock in the WTO. Examine India’s stand for
protecting its farmers’ interests. (2014)
153. Write on the Look East Policy of India. (2014)
154. Write for and against FDI in retail trade of India. (2014)

155. State the basic features of Mahalanobis model. (2013)

156. How is development looked upon by A.K. Sen in terms of freedom and poverty as
unfreedoms? Point out his narration of five dimensions of poverty. (2013)
157. What are the components of Land Reforms in India? Has it been completed? If not,
then what are the obstacles? (2013)
158. “An underdeveloped money and capital market has been a major cause of slow
economic growth in India.” In the light of this statement, give relative importance of
financial sector vis-à-vis real sector in Indian economy. (2013)
159. “A close connection between the finance on the one hand, and politics and
administration on the other hand, and the influence of the latter on the former cannot be
avoided. This is all the more true in India.” Do you agree with this statement of C.N. Vakil? Is
it relevant even today? (2013)
160. The industrial development agenda framed by the Industrial Policy, 1956
transformed the Indian economy substantially from an agricultural to an industrial economy.
Elucidate. State in brief sectoral composition of growth during the period before 1990.
(2013)
161. How are ‘absolute’ and ‘relative’ poverty measured? What modification in it has
been suggested by Amartya Sen? What are the recent advances in the area of poverty
measurement? Discuss. (2013)

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162. Transformation of rural sector is key to economic development as it sustains two-

thirds of Indian population. How physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and
knowledge connectivity may be helpful in this transformation? Explain the linkages. (2013)
163. Inflation is not a purely monetary phenomenon in India and hence the scope of
monetary policy of the RBI to contain it is limited. Discuss. (2013)
164. Do you agree that focussed and target-oriented technological interventions under
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) have made significant impact since its inception?
Justify. (2013)
165. “Partial capital account convertibility cannot serve the purpose of integrating Indian
economy with global economy.” Analyse critically. (2013)
166. What are the key initiatives proposed in Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014 for market
diversification and technological upgradation to give a boost to exports? (2013)
167. Write on ‘dichotomy of development’ and ‘urban-bias’ in Indian economy. (2013)
168. What is ‘Crony Capitalism’? How it compromises economic and social justice issues?
Explain. (2013)
169. What is the present policy of disinvestment of the Government of India? What
modifications can be introduced in order to make it fruit-bearing? (2013)
170. What are the major objectives of the Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010? Will it be
effective in generating enhanced tax revenues? (2013)
171. “Indian planning structure and system still remains largely in favour of a centralised
planning. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have hardly brought about any
change in reality in the nature of Indian planning process.” Critically evaluate this statement.
(2013)
172. Accelerated growth of tertiary sector during the past two decades in Indian
economy has posed multiple challenges. Discuss. (2013)
173. “Speculators may do no harm as bubbles on a steady stream of enterprise, but the
position is serious when enterprise becomes the bubble on whirlpool of speculation. When
capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job
is likely to be undone.” Explain in the context of global financial crisis and its impact on
Indian economy. (2013)
174. Account for the changes in the employment pattern in India after liberalization.
What are your suggestions for employment security in the ‘informal’ sector of the economy?
Discuss. (2013)

175. Discuss in detail the views of VKRV Rao on deficit financing. (2012)
176. What do you mean by the ‘Hindu rate of growth’? Why has it been argued that
poverty cannot be eradicated under the Hindu rate of growth? (2012)

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177. Trace the growth of real per capita income in India in the pre-liberalisation period,
keeping in view the interplay of increasing population and increasing real national income.
(2012)
178. Explain why in spite of economic planning income distribution has turned more
unequal through time. (2012)
179. ‘Population is not just a denominator to deflate aggregates. It is determined by the
level and pattern of economic development.’ Comment. (2012)
180. Distinguish between cooperative, contractual and corporate farming. Which of these
is best suited for India and why? (2012)
181. Delineate the trends in the growth and industrial composition of public sector in
India during the pre-liberalisation period. (2012)
182. Compare the strategies of trickle down growth with inclusive growth. Why should
the strategy of inclusive growth be preferred? (2012)
183. How was the Jute industry affected after partition? What remedial measures were
taken to arrest its decline? (2012)
184. Discuss the various measures of poverty with policy implications for removal of
poverty. (2012)
185. A number of production lines were reserved for the small scale sector in the pre-
liberalisation period. Did such reservation achieve its objectives? Explain in detail. (2012)
186. What are the factors which determine the size and composition of national income?
In this respect contrast the scenarios between pre and post liberalisation periods. (2012)
187. Characterise the inflationary process in the last three years. What steps were taken
by the RBI and the Government to control it? (2012)
188. Explain why in spite of poverty alleviation schemes number of the poor has not
fallen very much. (2012)
189. Discuss the factors responsible for slow growth in agriculture in recent years. What
steps ought to be taken for sustained growth in this sector? (2012)
190. Can disinvestment in public sector units be a sustainable alternative for raising
resources for government expenditure? (2012)
191. Would a flexible exchange rate regime serve India better than a fixed exchange rate
regime in the current international scenario? (2012)
192. Discuss the salient features of TRIPS and Indian position on (i) geographical
indications and (ii) plant breeders’ rights. (2012)
193. Why is capital inflow through multinational corporations preferred over foreign
debt? (2012)
194. Discuss the major recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission with
regard to augmentation of resources of local governments. (2012)
195. Distinguish between fiscal federalism and political federalism. How has fiscal
federalism been evolving in relation to special category States in particular and other States
in general? (2012)

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196. How is GST different from VAT? What is the grand bargain suggested by the
Thirteenth Finance Commission for implementation of GST? (2012)
197. Examine the new EXIM policy. Given the tough competition international trade,
what corrective measures would you suggest to make it more successful in boosting Indian
exports? (2012)
198. Explain the salient features of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Explain to what extent
has the Government of India been able to adhere to the provisions of this Act? (2012)

199. Discuss Amartya Sen’s poverty measure and recent advances in poverty
measurement. (2011)
200. Throw light on wage-goods model of C.N. Vakil and P.R. Brahmanand. (2011)
201. “By restricting social benefits to BPL households, the poverty line (in India) will be
fully converted from a statistical benchmark to a real-life social division” (Dreze). Discuss.
(2011)
202. Poverty alleviation strategy of the day is moving ahead of Redistribution with
Growth (RWG) of Chenery and the World bank and Dreze and Sen’s Growth-mediated
security and Support-led security strategies to Empowerment, Opportunities and security
lines. Elaborate. (2011)
203. “India urgently needs yet another Green Revolution by infusing modern
technologies like ICT and Space technologies and Strategic Management techniques to come
up with demand side pressures resulting in persistent food inflation in the economy.” Do
you agree? (2011)
204. Critically examine the point of view that RBI’s recent measures at containing
inflation have compromised growth. (2011)
205. “The declining share of commodity producing sectors- agriculture and industry- and
rising share of Services sector is creating imbalances of far reaching consequences in the
economy.” Critically examine. (2011)
206. Analyse the recent trend of gross capital formation in agriculture. Has it, do you
think, been responsible for the sluggish growth rate in agriculture? (2011)
207. Throw light on the PURA model of rural development. (2011)
208. Write on second-generation economic reforms in India. (2011)
209. Write on the unfinished agenda of Doha Round of negotiations of the WTO. (2011)
210. Write on Indo-ASEAN trade relations. (2011)
211. Is India ready for full capital account convertibility? Assess. (2011)
212. Compare the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional
Investment (FII’s) in India’s economic development. Are FDI’s Preferable to Portfolio
Investments? Evaluate. (2011)
213. Analyse the impact of MNREGA on rural and urban wages and rural migration.
(2011)

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214. Discuss salient economic features of 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments.
(2011)
215. Examine the challenges to export diversification and increase in export
competitiveness of India. (2011)
216. In view of fresh fears of global financial crisis arising out of decelerating credit rating
of the U.S. economy and sovereign debt crisis in peripheral Euro-Zone economies analyse its
likely impact on India’s trade and growth performance. Suggest measures to contain it.
(2011)
217. Write in brief on Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and their socio-economic
repercussions. (2011)

218. Discuss the contributions of D.R. Gadgil to Indian Economic Planning and Policy.
Evaluate the key elements of the ‘Gadgil Formula’ used by the Planning Commission. (2010)
219. Bring out the role of State Finance Commissions in India, with particular reference to
the rural economy. (2010)
220. Is Gunder Frank’s above view still valid in the contemporary world? Substantiate
your answer. (2010)
221. “It was needless pessimism that led India to adopt import substitution strategy of
industrialisation in the pre-liberalisation period.” Critically examine. (2010)
222. In a supply constrained economy, how was it argued in India in the 1950s that deficit
financing would help raise the growth rate? In hindsight, analyse the validity of this view.
(2010)
223. Discuss the poverty trends- both rural and urban, between 1973 – 1974 and 2004 –
05 across States in terms of pace of reduction and concentration and relate them with
changes in growth rates between the pre and the post-liberalisation periods. (2010)
224. Critically assess the Tendulkar Committee’s approach to measuring poverty in India.
(2010)
225. Delineate the role of the District Planning Committee. (2010)
226. What are the implications in the replacement of the Prime Lending Rate System by
the Base Rate System recently? (2010)
227. What are the four modes of GATS? What mode has been preferred by India and
why? (2010)
228. “Declining Public Expenditure in agriculture is largely responsible for deceleration of
growth in this sector in India.” Critically examine the validity of this statement. (2010)
229. “India has of late been over-tertiarized.” Do you agree? Substantiate your answer.
(2010)
230. Recent trends show that poverty incidence in urban areas in higher than its rural
counterpart in more prosperous states. What factors, do you think, explain this? (2010)

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231. Critically examine the fiscal federal system as it operates in India presently. What
improvements would you suggest? (2010)
232. Assess the degree of success of the targeted Public Distribution System in the
country in meeting its objectives. (2010)
233. Bring out the broad changes in the level, composition and direction of Indian exports
and imports since liberalisation in India. (2010)
234. Examine the key elements of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
What are the major problems in its implementation? (2010)

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