UPSC Prelims 2007 · General Studies
Question 45: Polity and Governance
Who among the following have been the Union Finance Minister of India? 1. V. P. Singh 2. R. Venkataraman 3. Y. B. Chavan 4. Pranab Mukherjee Select the correct answer using the code given below:
AnswerThe answer is (d).
All four held the finance portfolio at the Centre: Y. B. Chavan in the early 1970s, R. Venkataraman around 1980-82, Pranab Mukherjee in 1982-84 and again from 2009, and V. P. Singh in the mid-1980s. So the answer is all of 1, 2, 3 and 4. Venkataraman later became President, and V. P. Singh Prime Minister.
- 1. V. P. Singh was Finance Minister in the mid-1980s.
- 2. R. Venkataraman held the portfolio around 1980-82.
- 3. Y. B. Chavan was Finance Minister in the early 1970s.
- 4. Pranab Mukherjee held the portfolio from 1982 to 1984.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Leaves out Pranab Mukherjee, who was Finance Minister.
- (b) Leaves out Venkataraman, who was Finance Minister.
- (c) Leaves out V. P. Singh and Chavan, who were Finance Ministers.
- (d) Correct: all four were Union Finance Ministers.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2007, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.