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Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Economy MCQs on Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, fiscal deficit and more (Week 111)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Economy to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the Least Developed Countries, consider the following statements: 1. They are low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development. 2. The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are reviewed every five years by the Committee for Development (CDP). 3. They are less vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — With Bangladesh set to graduate from the United Nations' Least Developed Country (LDC) category in November 2026, ending duty-free access to export markets such as the European Union and posing new challenges, the country has begun a sharp economic pivot away from New Delhi and towards Beijing, straining trade ties with India. — Least developed countries (LDCs) are low-income countries that face significant structural barriers to sustainable development. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — They are extremely sensitive to economic and environmental shocks, with low levels of human capital. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — The Committee for Development (CDP) reviews the list of LDCs every three years and currently includes 44 nations. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — LDCs have unique access to certain international support measures, particularly those related to development assistance and trade. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Other Source: With reference to the Suez Canal, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Nearly 30 per cent of global container traffic flowed through the Suez Canal before the Houthi attacks began. 2. In 2024-25, the Suez Canal's daily transit trade increased compared to 2023-24. 3. It accounts for 8-9 per cent of global energy flows. 4. The shipping costs in the Suez Canal region soared to almost double. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4 Explanation — Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is offering a 15 per cent discount on transit fee to cargo ships of minimum 130,000 mt capacity, underscoring the impact that the Red Sea security crisis has had on the waterway critical to the shortest maritime route to the Mediterranean Sea and beyond from the Arab Peninsula, North-East Africa, and the Arabian Sea. — According to IMF data, the Suez Canal accounts for approximately 12-15% of global trade. Prior to the Houthi strikes, the Suez Canal handled about 30% of all worldwide container traffic. It is also a critical route for 8-9 percent of world energy flows. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct. — According to data from PortWatch, a live conflict tracker maintained by the IMF and Oxford University, the Suez Canal's daily transit trade volume (TTV) was 484,137 mt on May 11, 2025, compared to 1,349,086 mt the previous year. TTV refers to the total volume of goods transported along a shipping route. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Shipping prices in the Suez Canal region increased by 180 percent over the time under review. India, like many other countries, relied primarily on the Red Sea shipping route for exports to Europe, with the Suez Canal handling approximately 80% of the quantities. Hence, statement 4 is correct. — The movement of trade flows from the Red Sea to the route around Africa has clearly impacted Indian exporters, reducing margins since they now have to fight with increased freight charges for exports to Europe and elsewhere. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. With reference to the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It is a long-term plan to improve railway stations across India. 2. The scheme focuses on upgrading the station buildings, connecting both sides of the city through the station, and linking stations with other transport options like buses and metros. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 refurbished railway stations in 86 districts across 18 states and union territories. He also launched a new weekly train between Bandra Terminus in Mumbai and Bikaner Station in Rajasthan. — The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term initiative that would gradually renovate railway stations across India. Under this method, precise blueprints are created for each station, and construction is completed in stages based on what each station requires. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The goal is to make the stations cleaner, more pleasant, and easier to use. This involves improving access and departure locations, waiting areas, restrooms, platforms, and roofing. Lifts, escalators, and free Wi-Fi are introduced as needed. — The Amrit Bharat Mission program also focusses on station construction upgrades, connecting both sides of the city via the station, and connecting stations to other modes of transportation such as buses and metros. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The Amrit Bharat Stations program dates back to 2021, when Gandhinagar became the first railway station to undergo modernisation, complete with all modern amenities and a five-star hotel. Later that year, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, formerly known as Habibganj, received a new look. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. (Other Source: The condition of a high fiscal deficit is reflected by: 1. Government borrowing 2. Higher interest rates 3. Inefficient spending by the government Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation — A significant fiscal deficit can indicate inefficient government expenditure, which can lead to inflationary pressure in the economy. A large fiscal deficit causes the government to borrow more from the market, increasing demand for credit and potentially raising interest rates. — Higher interest rates, in turn, raise firms' borrowing costs, limiting their investments and decreasing overall economic growth. Furthermore, increased debt might limit a government's budget in the long run, jeopardising many growth-related initiatives. As a result, governments must be careful in monitoring their fiscal deficits. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. To read more: India's fiscal balancing amid global economic uncertainties Consider the following statements about the Alternate Investment Fund (AIF): 1. These are any funds established or incorporated in India that are privately pooled investment vehicles. 2. These include funds covered under the SEBI. 3. Certain exemptions from registration are provided under the AIF. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised draft guidelines for investments by regulated entities (REs) in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), aiming to enhance oversight and prevent potential misuse. — Alternative Investment Fund, or AIF, refers to any fund established or incorporated in India that is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from sophisticated investors, either Indian or foreign, and invests them in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — AIF does not include funds covered by the SEBI (Mutual Funds) laws, 1996, SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999, or any other Board laws governing fund management operations. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Furthermore, the AIF Regulations give exemptions from registration to family trusts established for the benefit of'relatives' as defined in the Companies Act of 1956. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Other Source: Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 110) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 110) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 110) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
How India–Bangladesh trade ties are fraying — and China gaining ground?
With Bangladesh set to graduate from the United Nations' Least Developed Country (LDC) category in November 2026 — a move that will end its duty-free access to export markets such as the European Union, posing fresh challenges — the country has begun a sharp economic pivot away from New Delhi towards Beijing, thereby straining trade ties with India. Political and economic tensions between India and its largest trade partner in South Asia are growing, as the union government on Saturday decided to impose a number of import restrictions on goods from Bangladesh — particularly ready-made garments, the country's largest export item and a key source of foreign exchange. This follows early signs of deteriorating ties between two countries, when New Delhi in April decided to terminate the five-year-old transhipment facility for Bangladesh's export cargo — a mechanism that helped Dhaka smoothly ship its goods to several Western countries using Indian land routes and airports. While government sources say that Saturday's import restrictions and the termination of the transhipment facility are a result of similar restrictions imposed by Dhaka and port congestion caused by goods from Dhaka respectively, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus — an economist and Nobel laureate who has suggested expanding the influence of the Chinese economy around India's strategically important Northeast region — has contributed to worsening India–Bangladesh trade relations. However, this fits squarely into China's broader strategy to limit India's influence, as India chose not to join the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and is positioning itself as an alternative manufacturing destination by pursuing closer economic integration with the US, UK, EU, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) region. New Delhi has decided to restrict garment imports from Bangladesh as it is looking to attract labour-intensive jobs in the sector. This comes as India's textile sector could see a push due to the free trade agreements. India has already received duty-free access to the UK market for its garment exports and has sought similar access in its trade deals with the EU and US. Think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that Indian textile firms have long protested the competitive edge enjoyed by Bangladeshi exporters — who benefit from duty-free Chinese fabric imports and export subsidies — giving them a 10–15 per cent price advantage in the Indian market. 'Top global brands like H&M, Zara, Primark, Uniqlo, and Walmart source apparel from Bangladesh, some of which enters India's domestic market. Indian manufacturers have long expressed concern over the uneven playing field: they pay a 5 per cent GST on locally sourced fabric, while Bangladeshi firms import fabric duty-free from China and receive export incentives for sales to India — giving them an estimated 10–15 per cent price advantage,' GTRI said. A government official said that Bangladesh has recently imposed port restrictions on exports of Indian yarn via land ports, allowing Indian yarn exports only via seaports. This has ostensibly been done in response to demand by Bangladeshi textile mills, even though the land route offers the quickest and cheapest yarn supply to the ready-made garments industry in Bangladesh, the official said. Notably, yarn exports to Bangladesh comprise 20 per cent of India's total exports to Bangladesh worth $11.38 billion in FY25. Official data showed that cotton yarn and handloom product exports to Dhaka stood at $2.39 billion during the last financial year. India imports ready-made garments from Bangladesh valued at over $700 million annually. 'Bangladesh cannot cherry-pick terms of bilateral engagement solely to benefit itself or take India's market access for granted. India is willing to engage in discussion but it is Bangladesh's responsibility to create an environment free of rancour,' the official quoted above said. China has been rapidly increasing its influence on South Asian countries, particularly Bangladesh. For instance, China has allowed 97 per cent of Bangladeshi goods duty-free access to its domestic market since June 2020. More importantly, it is helping the country diversify its export base and move its industry up the value chain. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the largest number of infrastructure projects developed with Chinese help in South Asia are in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is China's second-largest buyer of military hardware globally, accounting for almost one-fifth of China's total exports between 2016 and 2020. Chinese arms make up over 70 per cent of Bangladesh's major arms purchases, according to a 2020 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 'The fall of Sheikh Hasina's pro-India government in mid-2024 and the rise of an interim administration under Muhammad Yunus have brought a willingness to align with Beijing. Yunus's visit to China in March 2025 yielded $2.1 billion in new investments and cooperation agreements. China's involvement in sensitive infrastructure projects like the Teesta River development marks a growing strategic footprint — posing a direct challenge to India's influence in the region,' said former trade officer and head of GTRI Ajay Srivastava. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
