GS3 · Topic
Fiscal Policy and Budgeting
The Union and State budgets, fiscal deficit, FRBM, off-budget borrowing, counter-cyclical spending, devolution of revenue.
67 UPSC Mains GS3 questions on Fiscal Policy and Budgeting that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
What do you understand by Windfall tax? Do you think that windfall taxes can effectively redistribute wealth and promote greater economic equality?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
TaxationFiscal Policy and Budgeting
To what extent was the first National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) able to meet its objectives? What are the objectives of the new Asset Monetization Plan 2025–30 as announced in the recent 2025 Budget?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
InfrastructureInvestment Models
The Reserve Bank of India’s surplus transfers offer the government much-needed fiscal space, yet they are not without challenges. Critically examine the implications of the RBI’s surplus transfers to the government.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMonetary Policy
Highlighting the factors contributing to high fiscal deficit in India, discuss the potential consequences of such deficit and suggest measures to ensure fiscal consolidation.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators
The recent push towards gender budgeting in the Government Budget reflects its importance for women empowerment. What are the recent initiatives towards gender budgeting in India and their importance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingInclusive Growth
What do you understand from Green growth? With special reference to the budget 2023-2024, discuss various government measures to propel green growth in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
EnergyFiscal Policy and Budgeting
What are the factors that influence the inflation trends in the country? Highlighting the impacts, discuss the institutional measures in place to check inflation.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023
Macroeconomic IndicatorsMonetary Policy
It has been pointed out that competitive politics to fund mostly non-merit subsidies is pushing a few states in India to the brink of a deep fiscal crisis. In this context, discuss the need to rationalise the subsidy regime in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingSubsidies and MSP
Fiscal policy can be a key tool to reduce income inequality as well as make the poorest and the downtrodden a part of the country's growth story. Discuss in the context of India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingInclusive Growth
"The Agnipath scheme is a bitter pill needed for the resilience and efficacy of our armed forces." Critically Analyze the statement with relevant arguments.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023
Security Forces and AgenciesEmployment
Do you agree that the agriculture sector in India needs a separate budget for its transformation? Substantiate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingPlanning and Resource Mobilisation
The Union Budget affects almost every sector of the Indian economy, yet neither the budgetary processes nor the budget policies come under substantial public scrutiny. Do you agree? Justify your answer.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingPlanning and Resource Mobilisation
What are the responsibilities of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? How effective has the RBI's monetary policy initiatives been to broaden economic recovery whilst maintaining a sustainable inflation rate?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Monetary PolicyMacroeconomic Indicators
Social protection schemes are an integral aspect of a welfare economy; however, the principles of fiscal prudence cannot be ignored. Discuss, with special reference to old pension Scheme (OPS).
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingInclusive Growth
How far do you think the recent proposals to reform India's tax structure will help in improving India's tax buoyancy and base?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
TaxationFiscal Policy and Budgeting
A shift from fiscal deficit targeting to debt-to-GDP ratio as the fiscal anchor signals a more holistic approach to fiscal discipline. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your arguments.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators
What do you mean by off-budget borrowings? Discuss the various issues associated with them.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingPlanning and Resource Mobilisation
Comment on the important changes with respect to the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) and Securities Transaction Tax (STT) in the Union Budget 2024-25. Evaluate the impact of such changes on India's savings and investment regime.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingTaxation
The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines a shift towards the 'debt-to-GDP ratio' as the fiscal anchor starting from FY 2026-27. Discuss the rationale behind this shift.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators
While tariff rationalization aims to enhance economic efficiency, it may also pose challenges to certain sectors. Critically assess the potential trade-offs involved in the Union Budget 2025-26's approach to tariff reforms.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingTrade and Foreign Investment
In light of recent Budget 2025 allocations and the push for green infrastructure, analyze how Viability Gap Funding can be leveraged to promote renewable energy projects.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Investment ModelsEnergy
Highlighting the issues related to the current fertilizer subsidy regime in India, discuss the need for reforms in this context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Subsidies and MSPFiscal Policy and Budgeting
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a transfer of surplus to the Union Government for the financial year 2024-25. What does 'surplus' mean in this context? How does the RBI generate it, and what is its significance for the country's fiscal policy?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingBanking and Finance
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a progressive step towards formalization of Indian economy; however, it has simultaneously dented the dynamics of fiscal federalism. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
TaxationFiscal Policy and Budgeting
Examine various advantages and disadvantages of outcome budgeting and assess its status in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Fiscal Policy and Budgeting
Recent Economic Survey highlighted fiscal deficit of 5.6%. Critically analyze the reasons and consequences of high fiscal deficit. Suggest measures for fiscal consolidation. 2. Discuss the potential of and challenges to capital investment in achieving a $7 trillion economy. 3. Analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with peri-urban agriculture in the context of increasing urbanization in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators
The government, nevertheless of declining share of agriculture in GDP is seen to be bearing the double fiscal burden of farm sector subsidies and loan waiver. Discuss. Is there a need for rationalization of farm-sector subsidies? Justify.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Subsidies and MSPFarm Credit and Insurance
Inflation is said to be a necessary evil for economic growth. Critically examine the statement in the context of rising inflation amid COVID-19 pandemic
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Macroeconomic IndicatorsMonetary Policy
There is a need for revisiting India's approach to gender responsive budgeting. Discuss in the context of limitations faced in implementing gender budgeting in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingInclusive Growth
Fiscal discipline is a cornerstone for prudent financial management, managing debts responsibly and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Analyse the statement and critically evaluate the achievements and challenges associated with the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators