All questions of Previous Year Papers for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Revenue Sources for State Governments in India

There are several sources of revenue for State Governments in India, including:

1. Sales Tax: Sales tax is the main source of revenue for State Governments in India. It is levied on the sale of goods within a state and is collected by the state government. The tax rates vary from state to state, but it is generally in the range of 4% to 15%.

2. Excise Duty: Excise duty is a tax that is levied on the production of goods within a state. It is collected by the state government and the rates vary from state to state. Excise duty is levied on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and petroleum products.

3. Income Tax: Income tax is a tax that is levied on the income of individuals and companies. It is collected by the Central Government, but a portion of it is allocated to the State Governments. The allocation is based on the population of the state.

4. Property Tax: Property tax is a tax that is levied on the ownership of property. It is collected by the state government and the rates vary from state to state. Property tax is levied on both residential and commercial properties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sales tax is the main source of revenue for State Governments in India. It is followed by excise duty, income tax, and property tax. These taxes are essential for the State Governments to fund their various programs and initiatives.

Explanation:

Oikonomia is a Greek term that means household management. It is a combination of two Greek words, oikos and nomos, which mean house and law, respectively. The term was used in ancient Greece to describe the management of the household, including both financial and non-financial aspects.

Importance of Oikonomia:

Oikonomia was an important concept in ancient Greece because it was central to the functioning of society. The management of the household was seen as critical to the well-being of the family and the community. The head of the household, typically a man, was responsible for managing the household and ensuring that it was run efficiently.

Scope of Oikonomia:

The scope of Oikonomia is broad and includes a wide range of activities related to household management. Some of the areas that fall under the purview of Oikonomia include:

- Financial management: This includes managing the household budget, tracking expenses, and ensuring that the family's financial resources are used wisely.

- Resource management: This includes managing the household's resources, such as food, water, and energy, to ensure that they are used efficiently.

- Property management: This includes managing the household's property, such as land, buildings, and other assets, to ensure that they are maintained and used effectively.

- Personnel management: This includes managing the household's staff, such as servants and other employees, to ensure that they are working efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Oikonomia is an important concept in ancient Greek society that refers to household management. It encompasses a wide range of activities related to the efficient and effective management of the household's financial and non-financial resources. The concept of Oikonomia has had a lasting influence on modern management theory and practice, particularly in the areas of financial management and resource allocation.

Excess Capacity in Monopolistic Competition

In monopolistic competition, firms have excess capacity. Excess capacity refers to the situation where a firm produces less output than it could produce with its existing resources. This means that the firm is not utilizing its resources to their full potential.

Explanation:

1. Characteristics of Monopolistic Competition:
Monopolistic competition is a market structure characterized by a large number of firms producing differentiated products. Some key characteristics of monopolistic competition include:

- Many sellers: There are many firms operating in the market, each producing a slightly different product.
- Product differentiation: Firms in monopolistic competition differentiate their products through branding, packaging, quality, and other marketing strategies to attract customers.
- Easy entry and exit: Firms can enter or exit the market relatively easily, leading to low barriers to entry.

2. Excess Capacity:
Excess capacity occurs in monopolistic competition due to two main reasons:

- Product differentiation: Firms in monopolistic competition differentiate their products to attract customers. This differentiation leads to a limited market share for each firm, as customers have various options to choose from. As a result, each firm operates at less than full capacity to meet the demand for its differentiated product.
- Diminishing returns to scale: In the long run, firms in monopolistic competition experience diminishing returns to scale. This means that as the firm increases its production, the additional output gained becomes smaller. Therefore, it is not economically efficient for firms to operate at full capacity.

3. Implications of Excess Capacity:
Excess capacity in monopolistic competition has several implications:

- Higher average costs: Operating at less than full capacity leads to higher average costs per unit of output. This is because fixed costs are spread over a smaller quantity of output.
- Inefficiency: Excess capacity implies that firms are not utilizing their resources efficiently. They could potentially produce more output without incurring significant additional costs.
- Price flexibility: Firms in monopolistic competition have more flexibility in setting prices due to product differentiation. They can choose to lower prices to increase demand or maintain higher prices to increase profitability.

4. Examples:
Examples of industries characterized by monopolistic competition and excess capacity include the restaurant industry, clothing industry, and personal care product industry. In these industries, each firm offers a slightly different product or service, and they often operate with excess capacity.

Conclusion:
In summary, firms in monopolistic competition have excess capacity due to product differentiation and diminishing returns to scale. This leads to higher average costs, inefficiency, and price flexibility for these firms. Understanding the concept of excess capacity is crucial in analyzing the behavior and dynamics of firms in monopolistic competition.

Produced and become due for payment when then are physically removed from factory for sale. Remember duty is first paid by manufacturer on removal of goods from factory and then collected from customers when sales takes place because the sales price will include the excise duty. Sales Taxes are always first collected from customers during sales(sales price includes the tax) and then paid by the manufacturer to the sales tax authorities.

To understand why the correct answer is option 'D' - Economic goods, let's delve into the concept of scarcity and the different types of goods.


Scarcity refers to the limited availability of resources relative to the unlimited wants and needs of individuals and society. This fundamental economic problem arises due to the fact that resources are finite, while human wants are infinite.


In economics, goods are categorized into different types based on their characteristics and nature. The two main categories of goods are:

1. Free Goods:
- Free goods are those that are available in abundance and have no opportunity cost.
- They are not scarce and do not have a market value.
- Examples include air, sunlight, and water from natural sources.

2. Economic Goods:
- Economic goods are goods that are scarce and have an opportunity cost.
- They are limited in supply relative to the demand for them.
- Economic goods have a market value and are subject to exchange.
- Economic goods can further be classified into two subcategories: consumer goods and capital goods.


Economic goods can be further divided into two types:

1. Consumer Goods:
- Consumer goods are goods that are directly consumed by individuals to satisfy their wants and needs.
- They include items such as food, clothing, and electronics.
- Consumer goods are typically the end products that individuals purchase for personal use.

2. Capital Goods:
- Capital goods, also known as producer goods or investment goods, are goods that are used to produce other goods and services.
- They are not directly consumed but are used in the production process.
- Examples include machinery, equipment, and buildings.
- Capital goods are essential for increasing the productivity and efficiency of an economy.


Based on the given options, the correct answer is option 'D' - Economic goods. This is because economic goods are the goods that are scarce and limited in supply. They have a market value and are subject to exchange. Both luxury goods and expensive goods may fall under the category of economic goods, but they do not encompass all economic goods. Capital goods, on the other hand, are a specific type of economic goods that are used for production purposes. Therefore, the most appropriate and inclusive term for goods that are scarce and limited in supply is economic goods.

**Price Theory**

Price theory, also known as microeconomics, is the branch of economics that focuses on the behavior of individual consumers, firms, and industries. It analyzes how these economic agents make decisions regarding the allocation of scarce resources. Price theory examines how prices are determined and how they affect the allocation of resources, production, consumption, and welfare.

**Microeconomics vs. Macroeconomics**

Microeconomics and macroeconomics are two main branches of economics. While microeconomics focuses on the behavior of individual economic agents, macroeconomics studies the behavior of the economy as a whole. Macroeconomics examines aggregate variables such as national income, employment, inflation, and economic growth.

**Difference between Price Theory and Macro Economics**

While macroeconomics studies the overall behavior of the economy, price theory (microeconomics) focuses on the behavior of individual agents within the economy. Price theory analyzes how individual consumers and firms make decisions in the marketplace, how prices are determined, and how these decisions impact the overall allocation of resources.

**Development Economics**

Development economics is a branch of economics that focuses on the economic development of countries and regions. It examines the factors that contribute to economic growth, poverty reduction, and improved living standards. Development economics studies issues such as inequality, education, health, infrastructure, technology, and trade.

**Public Economics**

Public economics is a branch of economics that analyzes the role of government in the economy. It examines how the government collects revenue through taxes and how it allocates resources through public expenditure. Public economics also studies the impact of government policies on economic efficiency, equity, and welfare.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, price theory is another term for microeconomics, which focuses on the behavior of individual consumers, firms, and industries. It analyzes how these economic agents make decisions regarding the allocation of scarce resources. Price theory examines how prices are determined and how they affect the allocation of resources, production, consumption, and welfare.

Monopolistic Competition refers to a market situation in which there are large numbers of firms which sell closely related but differentiated products. Markets of products like soap, toothpaste AC, etc. are examples of monopolistic competition.

Sunk cost

Normative economics

Zero

Overview:
In economics, goods are categorized based on their characteristics and demand patterns. Seawater and fresh air are considered as free goods, also known as common goods or public goods. These goods have certain characteristics that differentiate them from other types of goods.

Explanation:

Free Goods:
Free goods are goods that are available in abundance and do not have a price attached to them. They are not scarce and can be consumed by anyone without reducing their availability to others. Seawater and fresh air are examples of free goods as they are naturally occurring resources that are available in abundance and can be used by anyone without any cost.

Characteristics of Free Goods:
- Abundance: Free goods are available in large quantities and are not limited in supply. Seawater and fresh air are constantly replenished by natural processes, ensuring their availability in abundance.
- Non-excludability: Free goods cannot be restricted or excluded from use by individuals. No one can prevent others from using seawater or fresh air.
- Non-rivalry: The consumption of free goods by one individual does not diminish the availability or quality of the goods for others. The use of seawater or fresh air by one person does not reduce its availability for others.

Other Goods:
In contrast to free goods, there are other types of goods with different characteristics:
- Giffen goods: Giffen goods are a rare phenomenon in economics where the demand for a product increases as its price rises. These goods are considered inferior goods.
- Inferior goods: Inferior goods are goods for which demand decreases as income increases. They are typically of lower quality or less desirable compared to other goods.
- Normal goods: Normal goods are goods for which demand increases as income increases. They are typically of higher quality or more desirable compared to inferior goods.

Conclusion:
Seawater and fresh air are classified as free goods in economics due to their abundance, non-excludability, and non-rivalry characteristics. They are available to everyone without any cost and can be consumed without reducing their availability for others. Understanding the categorization of goods helps economists analyze consumer behavior and market dynamics.

Investment may be private investment or public investment, it may be induced or autonomous. Induced investment is that investment which changes with a change in income, that is why it is called income, elastic.

Inflation and Redistribution of Income and Wealth

Inflation:
Inflation refers to the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. It erodes the purchasing power of money, leading to a decrease in the value of currency.

Redistribution of Income and Wealth:
Redistribution of income and wealth refers to the movement of income and wealth from one group or class to another within a society. It occurs through various mechanisms such as taxation, social welfare programs, and economic policies.

Impact of Inflation on Income and Wealth:
Inflation has a significant impact on income and wealth distribution within a society. While it affects different groups differently, it generally tends to redistribute income and wealth in favor of the rich. Here's how:

1. Fixed Incomes:
- Pensioners and individuals with fixed incomes, such as retirees, are adversely affected by inflation. Their purchasing power decreases as the prices of goods and services rise.
- Pension payments and fixed annuities do not typically adjust for inflation, causing a decline in the real value of their income. This results in a relative decrease in their standard of living.

2. Poor:
- The poor are also negatively impacted by inflation. They often have limited resources and rely heavily on basic necessities, such as food and housing.
- Inflation leads to an increase in the prices of these essential items, making it more difficult for the poor to afford them. This further exacerbates income inequality and poverty levels.

3. Middle Class:
- The middle class may face a mixed impact from inflation. While they may experience an increase in wages to some extent, it is often insufficient to fully compensate for the rising cost of living.
- As a result, the middle class may struggle to maintain their standard of living and may have to cut back on discretionary spending.

4. Rich:
- The rich, on the other hand, are better positioned to mitigate the effects of inflation. They often have investments in assets that tend to appreciate during inflationary periods, such as real estate, stocks, and commodities.
- These assets act as a hedge against inflation, preserving and even increasing the wealth of the rich. Additionally, they may have access to financial instruments and investment opportunities that offer higher returns during inflation.

Conclusion:
Inflation redistributes income and wealth in favor of the rich due to their ability to protect and potentially increase their wealth through various investment strategies. On the other hand, pensioners, the poor, and the middle class often face a decline in their purchasing power, leading to income inequality and a widening wealth gap within the society.

Surplus labour (German: Mehrarbeit) is a concept used by Karl Marx in his critique of political economy. It meanslabour performed in excess of the labour necessary to produce the means of livelihood of the worker ("necessary labour").

Explanation:
Income elasticity of demand refers to the responsiveness of quantity demanded to a change in income of consumers. If the income elasticity of demand for a commodity is greater than one, it is known as a luxury good.

Luxury goods are those goods whose consumption increases with an increase in consumer income. For example, a luxury car, high-end smartphones, designer clothing, expensive jewelry, etc. People tend to buy more of these goods when their income increases and less when their income decreases.

On the other hand, if the income elasticity of demand for a commodity is less than one, it is known as a necessity good. Necessity goods are those goods whose consumption remains the same even when consumer income changes. For example, food, water, shelter, basic clothing, etc. People tend to buy the same amount of these goods regardless of their income level.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the income elasticity of demand being greater than one indicates that the commodity is a luxury good. This means that as consumer income increases, the demand for the commodity increases at a higher rate.

The concept of Quasi rent was introduced in Economics by Dr. Alfred Marshall. This concept is used for the surplus earned by man-made factors other than land. Certain man-made factors become scarce in the short run. The surpluses earned by using these factors go to constitute Quasi rent.

Price discrimination is a pricing strategy that charges customers different prices for the same product or service. Price discrimination allows a company to earn higher profits than standard pricing because it allows firms to capture every last dollar of revenue available from each of its customers.

Measurement of National Income

National Income is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a given period of time. There are various methods to calculate National Income. Let's discuss them in detail below.

Value Added Method
The value-added method calculates national income by adding up the value of all goods and services produced in a country minus the value of all intermediate goods and services used in their production. In other words, it is the value of the final product or service minus the value of the inputs used in its production.

Income Method
The income method calculates national income by adding up all the incomes earned by individuals, businesses, and the government in a country during a given period of time. This includes wages, salaries, profits, rent, and interest.

Expenditure Method
The expenditure method calculates national income by adding up all the expenditures made on goods and services in a country during a given period of time. This includes consumer spending, investment spending, government spending, and net exports.

Investment Method
The investment method calculates national income by adding up all the investments made in a country during a given period of time. This includes investments in physical capital, human capital, and natural resources.

Not a method of measurement of National Income
The investment method is not a method of measurement of national income. While investments are an important contributor to the overall economic growth of a country, they are not a direct measure of national income. Therefore, the investment method cannot be used to calculate national income.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the methods of measurement of national income are value-added, income, and expenditure methods. The investment method, while important, is not used to calculate national income.

Sakes tax

Introduction:
The method of calculating National Income by the product method is also known as the value added method. It is one of the three primary methods used to measure the total output and income of a country's economy. The other two methods are the income method and the expenditure method. The value-added method focuses on the value added at each stage of production and distribution to avoid double-counting.

Explanation:
The value-added method calculates the National Income by summing up the value added at each stage of production in an economy. It considers the value added by each producer or firm in the production process. The value added is the difference between the value of output and the value of intermediate goods used in the production.

Key Steps:
The calculation of National Income by the value-added method involves the following steps:

1. Identifying the different stages of production: The first step is to identify the various stages of production in the economy. This includes primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

2. Calculating the value added: In each stage of production, the value added is calculated by subtracting the value of intermediate goods and services from the value of output. Intermediate goods are those goods and services that are used in the production process and are not sold as final goods.

3. Avoiding double-counting: The value added at each stage of production is calculated separately to avoid double-counting. This means that only the value added by each firm or producer is included in the calculation, not the total value of the output.

4. Summing up the value added: The value added at each stage of production is then summed up to obtain the total value added in the economy. This represents the National Income by the value-added method.

Advantages:
- The value-added method helps in avoiding double-counting by focusing on the value added at each stage of production.
- It provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the different sectors and their contribution to the economy.
- The method is suitable for economies with complex production processes and multiple stages of production.

Conclusion:
The value-added method, also known as the product method, is an important approach to calculating National Income. It focuses on the value added at each stage of production and helps in avoiding double-counting. By summing up the value added in the economy, the method provides an accurate measure of the total output and income of a country.

Capital output ratio is the amount of capital needed to produce one unit of output. For example, suppose that investment in an economy, investment is 32% (of GDP), and the economic growth corresponding to this level of investment is 8%.

Stamp Duty: Levied by the Union and Appropriated and Planned by the States

Stamp duty is a tax levied on various documents and transactions such as property agreements, share transfers, and loan agreements. In India, stamp duty is levied by the Union government but is appropriated and planned by the states. Let's understand why this is the correct answer.

1. Taxation Structure in India:
In India, the power to levy and collect taxes is divided between the Union government and the state governments. The Union government is responsible for levying and collecting taxes on a wide range of subjects such as income tax, customs duty, and service tax. On the other hand, state governments have the authority to levy and collect taxes on subjects such as sales tax, stamp duty, and property tax.

2. Stamp Duty:
Stamp duty is a state subject under the Indian Constitution. It is governed by the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, which provides the legal framework for the levy and collection of stamp duty. The Act empowers the state governments to determine the rates and exemptions for stamp duty.

3. Union Government's Role:
Although stamp duty is a state subject, the Union government also has a role to play in its administration. The Union government sets the maximum rate of stamp duty that can be levied by the states. It also provides guidelines and regulations regarding stamp duty administration.

4. Appropriation and Planning:
Once the stamp duty is collected by the states, it is appropriated by them for their own use. The revenue generated from stamp duty is an important source of income for the state governments. They utilize this revenue for various developmental activities and infrastructure projects.

5. State Autonomy:
The appropriation and planning of stamp duty revenue by the states give them autonomy in determining their own fiscal policies. It allows them to have control over their financial resources and tailor their developmental plans according to their specific needs and priorities.

Conclusion:
In summary, stamp duty is levied by the Union government but is appropriated and planned by the states. This arrangement allows the states to have autonomy in determining their fiscal policies and utilizing the revenue generated from stamp duty for their own development.

Explanation:

An indirect tax is a tax that is imposed on goods and services rather than directly on individuals or companies. It is usually passed on to the consumer as part of the price of the product or service. In India, indirect taxes are levied by the central and state governments.

Indirect taxes play a crucial role in generating revenue for the government and are an essential part of the country's tax system. They are also used as a tool to regulate the economy, promote certain industries, and protect domestic businesses from foreign competition.

The options given in the question are all examples of indirect taxes except for option D, which is the expenditure tax. Let's examine each option in detail:

a) Sales tax:
Sales tax is a tax imposed on the sale of goods and services. It is levied at the point of sale and is usually a percentage of the value of the goods or services. The tax is collected by the seller from the buyer and then remitted to the government. Sales tax is a common form of indirect tax levied by state governments in India.

b) Excise duty:
Excise duty is a tax imposed on the production, sale, or use of certain goods. It is levied on goods such as alcohol, tobacco, petroleum products, and luxury items. The duty is usually included in the price of the goods and is paid by the manufacturer or producer. Excise duty is a central government tax in India.

c) Customs duty:
Customs duty is a tax imposed on goods imported into or exported out of a country. It is levied by the customs authorities and is based on the value or quantity of the goods. Customs duty is an indirect tax that is collected at the point of entry or exit and is paid by the importer or exporter. It is a central government tax in India.

d) Expenditure tax:
Expenditure tax is not an example of an indirect tax. It is a direct tax that is levied on the expenditure of individuals or companies. This tax is based on the amount of money spent by individuals or companies on certain goods or services. Expenditure tax is not levied in India.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D, which is the expenditure tax.

Excess Reserves Held by Commercial Banks

Excess reserves refer to the reserves held by commercial banks over and above the statutory minimum mandated by the central bank. In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank, and it sets the statutory minimum reserve requirement for commercial banks.

Explanation

Commercial banks are required to maintain a certain percentage of their deposits as reserves with the central bank. This reserve requirement is set by the central bank and varies from country to country. In India, the RBI sets the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), which is the percentage of deposits that commercial banks must maintain as reserves with the RBI.

Excess reserves refer to the reserves that commercial banks hold over and above the CRR. These reserves are not required by the central bank, but are held by the banks voluntarily. Banks may hold excess reserves for several reasons, such as to meet unexpected withdrawal demands from customers, to earn interest on excess funds, or to have a cushion against unexpected losses.

The RBI pays interest on the excess reserves held by commercial banks, which is known as the Reverse Repo Rate. This rate is usually lower than the repo rate, which is the rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks. The difference between the repo rate and the reverse repo rate is known as the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, excess reserves are the reserves held by commercial banks over and above the statutory minimum reserve requirement set by the central bank. Commercial banks hold excess reserves voluntarily, and may do so for several reasons. The RBI pays interest on excess reserves held by commercial banks, which is known as the Reverse Repo Rate.

Explanation:

The budget figures of the Government of India consist of two parts - total expenditure and total receipts. These two figures are used to calculate the fiscal deficit.

Fiscal Deficit:
Fiscal deficit is the difference between the total expenditure of the government and its total receipts excluding borrowing. This means that the fiscal deficit is the amount of money the government needs to borrow in order to meet its total expenditure.

Calculation of Fiscal Deficit:
Fiscal deficit can be calculated using the following formula:

Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure - Total Receipts (excluding borrowing)

Importance of Fiscal Deficit:
Fiscal deficit is an important measure of the financial health of a government. A high fiscal deficit indicates that the government is spending more money than it is earning, which can lead to inflation and other economic problems. On the other hand, a low fiscal deficit indicates that the government is able to manage its finances effectively.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the difference between total expenditure and total receipts in the budget figures of the Government of India is called fiscal deficit. This figure is an important measure of the government's financial health and is used to monitor its spending and borrowing.

By definition, there are no fixed costs in the long run, because the long run is a sufficient period of time for all short-run fixed inputs to become variable.Under full (absorption) costing fixed costs will be included in both the cost of goods sold and in the operating expenses.

The Philips curve shows an inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment rate. It resembles the graph of 1/x function.