What topics are covered in the Indian Economy unit (Paper I)?
Topics covered in the Indian Economy unit (Paper I):
The Indian Economy unit in Paper I of the UPSC examination covers a wide range of topics related to the Indian economy, its structure, policies, and various sectors. The key topics covered in this unit include:
1. Basic concepts and macroeconomics:
- National Income Accounting: Measurement of national income, methods of calculation, problems in estimation, and trends in national income.
- Determination of Income and Employment: Keynesian and classical theories, consumption function, investment function, multiplier, and accelerator.
- Money and Banking: Concepts of money supply, money multiplier, functions of commercial banks, the role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), monetary policy, and credit control.
2. Economic Planning and Development:
- Five-Year Plans: Objectives, achievements, and problems.
- Planning in India: NITI Aayog, Planning Commission, and their functions.
- Planning in a Market Economy: Role of markets in resource allocation, planning vs market economy, and mixed economy.
3. Agriculture and Rural Development:
- Agriculture: Importance, problems, and reforms in agriculture, Agricultural Price Policy, and Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Rural Development: Various rural development programs, poverty alleviation schemes, and rural credit.
4. Industrial Policy and Infrastructure:
- Industrial Policy: Industrial licensing, small-scale industries, public sector enterprises, and privatization.
- Infrastructure: Energy, transportation, communication, and information technology.
5. Services Sector in India:
- Services Sector: Growth, composition, and importance in the Indian economy.
- Tourism: Concepts, trends, and challenges in the tourism sector.
6. International Trade and Balance of Payments:
- Foreign Trade: Composition, direction, and policy measures.
- Balance of Payments: Concepts, components, and trends.
7. Indian Financial System:
- Financial Institutions: Commercial banks, RBI, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and financial market reforms.
- Capital Market: Stock exchanges, SEBI, and regulatory measures.
8. Inflation and Monetary Policy:
- Inflation: Causes, consequences, and measures to control inflation.
- Monetary Policy: Objectives, tools, and challenges.
9. Poverty, Unemployment, and Human Development:
- Poverty and Unemployment: Measurement, trends, and government schemes.
- Human Development: Concepts, indicators, and issues.
These topics provide a comprehensive understanding of the Indian economy, its challenges, and various policies and programs implemented to foster economic growth and development.