UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I: With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following…
With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
- 1. India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.
- 2. India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years.
- 3. India's exports of services are more than its imports of services.
- 4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
No official answer (question dropped) & notes
UPSC dropped this question, so no answer was scored. The likely reason is statement 4: India usually runs a current account deficit, but in 2020–21 it posted a small surplus as imports collapsed during COVID. The lasting facts are clear. Statement 1 is right: India's merchandise imports (crude oil, gold, electronics) exceed its exports, giving a large trade deficit. Statement 3 is right: India has a big services surplus from software and IT exports. Statement 2 is wrong: imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have generally risen, not fallen.
Notice the full balance of payments: the current account (goods, services, remittances) and the capital account (FDI, FPI, loans). India is the world's largest receiver of remittances.
UPSC did not evaluate this question, so no official answer exists. Use it for practice only.
UPSC dropped this question from evaluation; there is no official answer.
Same theme in UPSC Mains
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2026 · GS Paper I · Q20Evaluate the impact of globalization on Indian youths with reference to social, political, economic and cultural spheres.
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2026 · GS Paper IV · Q5bIn international relations, ethical considerations are often subjugated to the strategic interests of nation-states. Discuss this from an ethical perspective.
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2023 · GS Paper IV · Q1b‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples.
Related questions from other years
Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative ?
Answer (c) & explanation
ONDC aims to break the dominance of large platforms (c). The Open Network for Digital Commerce, a DPIIT initiative (2021-22), is an open set of rules, like UPI for shopping. A buyer on one app can buy from a seller listed on another app. This interoperability lets small sellers reach buyers without joining a giant platform. Option (a) is wrong: it does not give the government control of transactions. Option (b) is wrong: private players can join; they are not replaced. Option (d) is wrong: it does not force UPI payments.
Notice ONDC's design: it is a not-for-profit company and part of India's Digital Public Infrastructure, along with Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker. It now covers food, groceries and mobility too.
options (a), (b) and (d) use strong words: "all", "replace", "mandate". A public digital platform usually opens a market; it does not take it over.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct ?
Answer (d) & explanation
Statement (d) is not correct (d). Under UPI, money moves between bank accounts; the deposit is a liability of the bank. The Digital Rupee (e₹) is like a currency note in digital form, a direct liability of the RBI, not of users or banks. Option (a) is correct: UPI is a payment system, while the e-rupee is sovereign currency. Option (b) is correct: an e-rupee transfer moves value from wallet to wallet with no separate settlement. Option (c) is correct: e-rupee wallet transactions do not appear in bank statements.
Notice the legal base: the RBI Act was amended in 2022 to let the RBI issue a CBDC. Pilots began that year in wholesale (e₹-W) and retail (e₹-R) forms.
a "not correct" question. Look for the statement that puts the RBI's liability on someone else.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct ?
- 1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology.
- 2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24x7 access, promoting financial inclusion.
- 3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer (a) & explanation
All three statements are correct (a). Statement 1 is right: tokenization turns a real asset, like a building, bond or gold, into digital tokens recorded on a blockchain. Statement 2 is right: tokens can be traded 24x7, which widens financial inclusion. Statement 3 is right: small, fractional tokens let ordinary individuals get into high-growth investments that once needed crores. So options (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the risks: unclear regulation, cyber threats and weak investor protection. In India, related steps include Fractional Ownership Platforms and REITs and InvITs, which already let small investors own slices of real estate and infrastructure. The RBI is also testing tokenized deposits and government securities in sandbox pilots.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called :
Answer (c) & explanation
This is a sustainability bond (c). Under the ICMA principles followed worldwide, a bond that funds a mix of environmental and social projects is a sustainability bond. Option (a) is wrong: a green bond funds only environmental projects, like solar power. Option (b) is wrong: a social bond funds only social projects, like affordable housing. Option (d) is wrong: a sovereign bond is any bond issued by a national government, whatever its use.
Notice India's practice: India has issued Sovereign Green Bonds since January 2023, with the money going to projects like metro rail and renewable energy. A sustainability-linked bond is different: its money can go anywhere, but its interest rate depends on meeting ESG targets.
"Green Bond" is the most familiar term. The words "both environmental and social" point to the combined label.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
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