(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2015: Economics (Paper -1 & 2) Optional Question Paper

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2015: Economics (Paper -1 & Paper-2) Optional Question Paper

Subject: Economics (Paper -1 & Paper-2) Optional

Exam Date: 23rd December 2015

Economics (Paper-1)

Section-A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

(a) Explain the backward sloping supply curve of labour as a choice between income and leisure.

(b) Under perfect competition, in the short run, find out graphically, without using average cost curve, the conditions in equilibrium for the existence of:-

(i) normal profit
(ii) supernormal profit
(iii) loss.

(c) State Okun’s law and find out the expectations-augmented Phillips curve.
(d) “If the interest elasticity of demand for money is low, the monetarists could predict the real GNP simply by the -use of money supply.” Explain this statement.
(e) Explain repo rate and reverse repo rate. How do changes in the repo rate affect EMIs of borrowers?

2.(a) In what way Kaldor’s model of income distribution is basically a Keynesian theory? 20 marks
(b) Explain how Nash equilibrium provides a solution to the problem of strategic interdependence among firms in an oligopolistic market. 20 marks
(c) How is Kaldor-Hicks compensation principle an improvement over Pareto optimality criterion? What are Scitovsky views in this regard? 10 marks

3.(a) "Under rational expectations hypothesis, systematic monetary policy will be ineffective.” Explain this statement using a suitable model. 20 marks
(b) Show that liquidity preference is neither necessary nor sufficient for the existence of involuntary unemployment in Keynesian system. 20 marks
(c) Derive money multiplier when a part of money supply is exogenous and the other part is endogenous. 10 marks

4.(a) In the event of persistent inflation in an economy, what changes the Central Bank will bring about in:-

(i) reserve ratios
(ii) bank rate
(iii) open market operations? 20 marks

(b) “Subsidies have both positive and negative impacts on the economy.” Explain this statement and illustrate your answer with Indian experience. 20 marks
(c) Explain the meaning and significance of money illusion on the part of workers in the Keynesian theory of employment. 10 marks

SECTION—B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

Do you think that the root of Harrod’s instability problem lies in the assumption of wage-price rigidity? Give arguments in favour of your answer.
What is ‘immiserizing growth'? How can it be prevented through trade policy interventions?
How does carbon trading help in reducing environmental degradation?
How do depreciation and appreciation in the external value of a currency impact a country’s balance of payments?
“Balanced and unbalanced growth strategies are not substitutes but complementary to each other.” Explain this statement.

6.(a) In the context of a two-country model, derive foreign trade multiplier and explain its working. What will be its repercussion? 20 marks
(b) Distinguish between Monetary union and Economic union. Do the proliferating trading blocks adversely affect the free trade in the world? Give reasons for your answer. 20 marks
(c) What are the advantages and disadvantages of capital mobility for developing countries? 10 marks

7.(a) “As long as the substitution possibilities between foreign and domestic resources are limited, the dual-gap analysis is relevant.” Critically examine this statement. 20 marks

(b) In an economy having two sectors, namely, goods-producing sector and Research and Development (R & D) sector, prove with the help of new growth theory that:-

(i) both capital and aggregate output must grow at the same rate and
(ii) per capita output must grow at the rate of growth of technology. 20 marks

(c) What is indicative planning? In this context, explain how State and markets can play a synergetic role in economic development. 10 marks

8.(a) What do you mean by ‘green accounting*? Discuss how this concept can be incorporated in national income accounting. 10 marks
(b) Discuss the role of renewable energy resources in order to maintain environmental sustainability with special reference to India. 20 marks
(c) “Global warming will certainly increase the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. In this context, examine the international efforts to reduce global warming. 20 marks

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Economics (Paper-2)

Section-A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

How did railways contribute to India’s economic development in the pre-independence era ?
What was the impact of policy reservation in favour of small scale industries in India during the post-independence but pre-liberalisation era ?
What specific trade policies during the British period led to the decline of Indian industry ? Explain.
Do you think that full convertibility of rupee on capital account will help in accelerating India’s economic growth ? Give reasons.
Why did the socialist order fail and the country had to resort to the market economy system ? Give reasons.

2.(a) Do you think that pursuit of wage-goods model could have been more appropriate for post-independence strategy of development ? Give reasons. 15 marks
(b) Explain the major factors that affected the growth rate of the economy in post-independence India till 1991. 20 marks
(c) During the British Rule, India was rooted with seeds of modernisation, but the country remained underdeveloped. Discuss. 15 marks

3.(a) How does population growth affect economic development of a country ? Can the age structure of population alter the pattern of development in a country 9 Examine in the light of the Indian experience. 20 marks
(b) What are the different types of agricultural subsidies that are given to the farmers in India ? How can these be rationalised ? 15 marks
(c) The ‘dichotomy of development’ in India emerged owing to ‘governance deficit’ and ‘crony capitalism’. Examine. 15 marks

4.(a) 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 ? 20 marks
(b) High Minimum Support Prices (MSP) induce distortions, some of which ultimately hurt the poor. Examine its merits and demerits. 15 marks
(c) Market economy excludes poor from the consumer as well as employment market. Discuss how one can safeguard the interests of. population below poverty line. 15 marks

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

Highlight the basic features of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. Can it solve the problem of malnutrition in the country ? Discuss.
Discuss the recent initiatives for augmenting power generation in India.
What are the broad features of the proposed GST Model ?
What are the major factors behind accumulation of non-performing assets in the Indian banking sector in recent years ? Discuss.
‘Financial inclusion is one of the most essential components of inclusive growth/ Comment.

6.(a) What is your opinion oh the view that the economic reform process has largely bypassed agriculture ? 15 marks
(b) Non-banking financial institutions need to be effectively regulated and monitored in India. Can you suggest some measures in this direction ? 15 marks
(c) In the context of the information technology revolution, Digital India Programme, is a significant instrument of administrative reforms. Do you agree? 20 marks

7.(a) 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 productive assets. Discuss: 20 marks
(b) 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. 15 marks
(c) Agro-based industries, especially food-processing uiiits, can alter the . fate of rural India. Discuss. 15 marks

8.(a) Explain the recent policy initiatives for enhancing crude oil and natural ; gas production in India. 15 marks
(b) What are the main components of the National Manufacturing Policy, .. 2014 ? Discuss. 15 marks
(c) What are the major recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission? 20 marks