Practice Questions on Monetary Policy for UPSC, APPSC and other state PSC exams Leave a Comment / Practice Questions Indian Economy / By vanikrishna1796@gmail.com Practice Questions on Monetary PolicyPractice Questions on Monetary Policy1. The sterilization operations by RBI refer to: Destroying old currency notes Offsetting impact of forex intervention on domestic money supply Cleaning of currency in circulation Removing counterfeit notesβ’ Sterilization: Offsetting impact of forex intervention on domestic liquidity.β’ Example: RBI buys USD β Rupee liquidity increases β RBI sells G-Secs to absorb excess rupees.β’ Purpose: Maintain domestic monetary conditions despite forex operations.β’ Tools used: OMO, MSS (Market Stabilization Scheme).β’ Prevents: Imported inflation due to excess liquidity from capital inflows.2. Credit Rationing by RBI refers to: Increasing interest rates uniformly Setting limits on credit to specific sectors Reducing total money supply Increasing CRR across banksβ’ Credit Rationing: Placing ceiling on loans to certain sectors.β’ Qualitative tool: Affects credit allocation, not total credit.β’ Purpose: Divert credit from speculative to productive sectors.β’ Example: Caps on loans for real estate, commodities.β’ Also called: Selective credit control.3. The term ‘Dovish’ monetary policy refers to: Focus on controlling inflation Focus on supporting growth through accommodative policy Focus on reducing fiscal deficit Focus on strengthening rupeeβ’ Dovish: Focus on supporting growth and employment.β’ Implies: Lower interest rates, accommodative stance.β’ Tolerant: Of moderate inflation for sake of growth.β’ Opposite: Hawkish (aggressive inflation control).β’ Dovish MPC: Likely to cut rates or maintain loose stance.4. An inverted yield curve is often considered a signal of: High inflation Potential economic recession Strong economic growth Currency appreciationβ’ Inverted Yield Curve: Short-term yields exceed long-term yields.β’ Signal: Potential economic recession ahead.β’ Reason: Markets expect future rate cuts due to slowdown.β’ Historical accuracy: Has preceded many recessions in US.β’ RBI watches: Yield curve shape for economic outlook assessment.5. In case of a tie in MPC voting the casting vote is exercised by: Deputy Governor Finance Ministry nominee RBI Governor Senior-most external memberβ’ Casting Vote: RBI Governor.β’ Scenario: When votes are equally divided.β’ Governor’s role: Chairperson of MPC + casting vote holder.β’ Ensures: Decision is always reached, no deadlock situation.β’ All members including Governor have equal voting rights otherwise.6. Which committee recommended inflation targeting framework for India? Narasimham Committee Urjit Patel Committee Tarapore Committee Rangarajan Committeeβ’ Committee: Urjit Patel Committee (2014).β’ Report: Report on Revision of Monetary Policy Framework.β’ Key recommendation: CPI inflation targeting with 4% Β± 2% band.β’ Other recommendations: MPC constitution, accountability framework.β’ Implementation: Through RBI Act amendment in 2016.7. The concept of ‘Real Interest Rate’ is calculated as: Nominal Rate plus Inflation Nominal Rate minus Inflation Nominal Rate multiplied by Inflation Nominal Rate divided by Inflationβ’ Real Interest Rate: Nominal Interest Rate – Inflation Rate.β’ Fisher Equation: (1+i) = (1+r)(1+Ο), approximately i = r + Ο.β’ Significance: Measures true cost of borrowing adjusted for inflation.β’ Negative real rate: When inflation exceeds nominal rate (erosion of savings).β’ RBI considers: Real rate while setting policy (currently positive at ~3%).8. Open Market Operations (OMO) are conducted by RBI to: Set benchmark lending rates for banks Regulate liquidity through purchase and sale of government securities Fix deposit rates for banks Determine exchange ratesβ’ OMO Purpose: Regulate liquidity on a durable basis.β’ OMO Purchase: RBI buys G-Secs β Injects liquidity β Expansionary.β’ OMO Sale: RBI sells G-Secs β Absorbs liquidity β Contractionary.β’ Legal basis: Section 17(8) of RBI Act 1934.β’ Different from LAF: LAF is for short-term; OMO is for durable liquidity.9. The RBI absorbs excess liquidity from the banking system through: Repo operations SDF and OMO sales Reducing CRR Reducing SLRβ’ Liquidity Absorption Tools: Reverse Repo/SDF, OMO Sale, Forex Sell, CRR hike.β’ SDF: Banks park excess funds with RBI (no collateral).β’ OMO Sale: RBI sells G-Secs, absorbs rupees.β’ CRR hike: Locks more funds with RBI.β’ Forex Swap (Sell-Buy): RBI sells USD, absorbs rupees.10. The primary objective of monetary policy in India as per RBI Act 1934 (amended 2016) is: Maximize employment Maintain price stability while keeping growth in mind Stabilize exchange rate Maximize government revenueβ’ Primary Objective: Maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.β’ Inflation Target: 4% CPI inflation with tolerance band of Β±2% (i.e., 2% to 6%).β’ Legal Basis: Section 45ZA of RBI Act 1934 (amended in 2016).β’ Target set by: Central Government in consultation with RBI, reviewed every 5 years.β’ Current target period: April 2021 to March 2026.11. The current Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is: 3.00% 4.00% 4.50% 5.00%β’ Current CRR: 3.00% of NDTL.β’ Reduced in June 2025: From 4% to 3% (100 bps cut in staggered manner).β’ Liquidity released: Approximately βΉ2.5 lakh crore.β’ RBI can prescribe: CRR between 3% and 15% of NDTL.β’ No interest paid: On CRR balances held with RBI.12. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is maintained by banks with: State Bank of India Reserve Bank of India Ministry of Finance Any Scheduled Bankβ’ CRR maintained with: Reserve Bank of India.β’ Form: Cash balance (not securities or gold).β’ Calculated on: Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL).β’ Interest on CRR: Banks earn NO interest on CRR balances.β’ Legal basis: Section 42 of RBI Act 1934.13. The GDP growth projection by RBI for FY 2025-26 (as of February 2026 MPC) is: 6.5% 7.0% 7.4% 8.0%β’ GDP Projection FY26: 7.4% (revised up from 7.3%).β’ Q1 FY27 projection: 6.9%.β’ Q2 FY27 projection: 7.0%.β’ Growth drivers: Private consumption, fixed investment, services sector.β’ Positive factors: India-US trade deal, India-EU FTA, robust domestic demand.14. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate is currently: 5.00% 5.25% 5.50% 5.75%β’ Current MSF Rate: 5.50%.β’ Relation to Repo: 25 basis points above Repo Rate.β’ Introduction: May 2011.β’ Purpose: Banks borrow overnight from RBI against excess SLR holdings.β’ Acts as: Ceiling of the LAF corridor (policy rate corridor).15. The quorum for a valid MPC meeting is: 3 members 4 members 5 members All 6 membersβ’ Quorum: 4 members must be present.β’ Decision: By majority vote of members present and voting.β’ Tie situation: RBI Governor has a second or casting vote.β’ Meeting frequency: At least 4 times a year (bi-monthly in practice = 6 times).β’ Each member has one vote; no weighted voting.16. The difference between CRR and SLR is: CRR is maintained with bank while SLR with RBI CRR is cash with RBI while SLR is liquid assets with bank Both are maintained with RBI CRR earns interest while SLR does notβ’ CRR: Maintained as cash with RBI; No interest earned.β’ SLR: Maintained as liquid assets with the bank itself; Earns interest on G-Secs.β’ CRR purpose: Direct liquidity control by RBI.β’ SLR purpose: Ensures bank solvency and creates demand for G-Secs.β’ Both calculated on: NDTL as on last Friday of second preceding fortnight.17. Bank Rate is defined under which section of RBI Act 1934? Section 17 Section 42 Section 49 Section 24β’ Bank Rate: Section 49 of RBI Act 1934.β’ Definition: Rate at which RBI provides long-term funds without collateral.β’ Current Bank Rate: 5.50% (aligned with MSF rate).β’ Use: Penal rate for shortfall in CRR/SLR maintenance.β’ Different from Repo: Repo involves collateral; Bank Rate does not.18. The width of the current LAF corridor (policy rate corridor) is: 25 basis points 50 basis points 75 basis points 100 basis pointsβ’ LAF Corridor Width: 50 basis points.β’ Floor: SDF rate (Repo – 25 bps).β’ Ceiling: MSF rate (Repo + 25 bps).β’ Symmetric corridor: Equal distance on both sides of Repo.β’ Purpose: Anchors short-term interest rates within a defined band.19. Which of the following is a qualitative tool of monetary policy? Cash Reserve Ratio Statutory Liquidity Ratio Moral Suasion Open Market Operationsβ’ Qualitative/Selective tools: Affect specific sectors, not overall credit.β’ Examples: Margin requirements, credit rationing, moral suasion, direct action.β’ Moral Suasion: RBI persuades banks through advice, appeals, warnings.β’ Quantitative tools: CRR, SLR, Repo, Bank Rate, OMO (affect overall credit).β’ Qualitative tools: Used for targeted credit control.20. RBI’s forex reserves as of early 2026 are approximately: USD 500 billion USD 600 billion USD 723 billion USD 850 billionβ’ Forex Reserves (Feb 2026): Approximately USD 723-724 billion.β’ Components: Foreign Currency Assets + Gold + SDRs + Reserve Position in IMF.β’ FCA: Largest component (~90% of total reserves).β’ Import cover: About 10-11 months of imports.β’ India ranks: 4th globally in forex reserves (after China, Japan, Switzerland).21. The term ‘Accommodative Stance’ in monetary policy indicates: RBI will raise interest rates RBI may maintain or lower interest rates RBI will maintain status quo indefinitely RBI will increase CRRβ’ Accommodative Stance: Bias towards maintaining or cutting rates.β’ Signal: RBI unlikely to raise rates in near term.β’ Used when: Growth needs support, inflation is under control.β’ Opposite: Hawkish/Tightening stance (bias towards rate hikes).β’ One MPC member (Prof. Ram Singh) voted for accommodative stance in Feb 2026.22. Money Supply M1 includes: Only currency in circulation Currency with public plus demand deposits Currency plus all bank deposits Currency plus time deposits onlyβ’ M1 (Narrow Money): Currency with public + Demand deposits with banks.β’ Currency with public: Notes + Coins in circulation (excluding bank holdings).β’ Demand deposits: Current accounts + Savings accounts (demand portion).β’ M1 is: Most liquid form of money supply.β’ Also called: Transaction money (used for daily transactions).23. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate is currently: 4.75% 5.00% 5.25% 5.50%β’ Current SDF Rate: 5.00%.β’ Relation to Repo: 25 basis points below Repo Rate.β’ Introduction: April 2022.β’ Purpose: RBI absorbs excess liquidity from banks without collateral.β’ Replaced: Fixed Reverse Repo Rate as floor of LAF corridor.24. The Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is maintained by banks in the form of: Only cash with RBI Cash, gold and approved government securities Only government securities Foreign currency reservesβ’ SLR maintained in: Cash + Gold + Unencumbered Government Securities.β’ Maintained where: With the bank itself (not with RBI).β’ Legal basis: Section 24 of Banking Regulation Act 1949.β’ Current SLR: 18% of NDTL.β’ RBI can prescribe: SLR up to 40% of NDTL (no minimum specified).25. The composition of Monetary Policy Committee includes: 4 members all from RBI 6 members – 3 from RBI and 3 external 5 members – 3 from RBI and 2 external 8 members – 4 from RBI and 4 externalβ’ Total Members: 6 (Six).β’ RBI Members (3): Governor (Chairperson) + Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy) + One RBI Officer.β’ External Members (3): Nominated by Central Government.β’ External members criteria: Persons of ability and integrity with knowledge in economics/banking/finance.β’ Tenure of external members: 4 years, not eligible for reappointment.26. The RBI injects liquidity into the banking system through: Selling government securities Repo operations and OMO purchases Increasing CRR Increasing SLRβ’ Liquidity Injection Tools: Repo, OMO Purchase, Forex Buy, CRR cut, MSF.β’ Repo: RBI lends to banks against G-Secs (overnight/term).β’ OMO Purchase: RBI buys G-Secs from market.β’ CRR cut: Releases locked funds with RBI.β’ Forex Swap (Buy-Sell): RBI buys USD, injects rupees.27. The current Repo Rate as per RBI MPC decision of February 2026 is: 5.00% 5.25% 5.50% 6.00%β’ Current Repo Rate: 5.25% (unchanged in Feb 2026).β’ Previous cut: December 2025 (25 bps cut from 5.50% to 5.25%).β’ Total cuts in 2025: 125 basis points (from 6.50% to 5.25%).β’ Policy stance: Neutral.β’ GDP projection FY26: 7.4%; CPI inflation projection: 2.1%.28. The term ‘Basis Points’ (bps) means: 1% 0.1% 0.01% 0.001%β’ 1 Basis Point: 0.01% (one-hundredth of a percentage point).β’ 100 Basis Points: 1%.β’ 25 Basis Points: 0.25%.β’ Usage: Precise measurement of interest rate changes.β’ Example: Repo cut of 25 bps means reduction from 5.50% to 5.25%.29. The Reserve Money (M0) is also called: Narrow Money High-Powered Money Broad Money Credit Moneyβ’ Reserve Money (M0): Also called High-Powered Money or Monetary Base.β’ Components: Currency in circulation + Bankers’ deposits with RBI + Other deposits with RBI.β’ Created by: RBI (central bank).β’ Significance: Forms base for money supply expansion through credit multiplier.β’ Money Multiplier: M3/M0 (ratio of broad money to reserve money).30. The Credit Multiplier in banking depends on: Only Repo Rate Cash Reserve Ratio and reserve requirements Only Statutory Liquidity Ratio Only Bank Rateβ’ Credit Multiplier: Reciprocal of reserve requirement (1/r).β’ Higher CRR: Lower multiplier, less credit creation.β’ Lower CRR: Higher multiplier, more credit creation.β’ Formula: ΞM = ΞR Γ (1/r), where r is reserve ratio.β’ Example: If CRR = 4%, multiplier = 1/0.04 = 25.31. Market Stabilization Scheme (MSS) was introduced in: 2000 2004 2008 2012β’ MSS Introduction: April 2004.β’ Purpose: Absorb excess liquidity from large capital inflows.β’ Instrument: Government issues securities; proceeds kept in separate account with RBI.β’ Difference from OMO: MSS has ceiling; funds not used by government.β’ Interest cost: Borne by Government of India, not RBI.32. If CPI inflation remains above 6% for three consecutive quarters RBI must: Resign from office Submit report to Central Government explaining reasons Automatically increase Repo Rate Dissolve the MPCβ’ Failure clause: If inflation > 6% or < 2% for 3 consecutive quarters.β’ RBI must submit: Written report to Central Government explaining reasons.β’ Report must include: Remedial actions proposed and estimated time to return to target.β’ This is: Accountability mechanism for MPC.β’ Legal basis: Section 45ZN of RBI Act 1934.33. The Call Money Market is a market for: Long-term government borrowings Overnight inter-bank borrowing and lending Retail customer deposits Foreign exchange transactionsβ’ Call Money Market: Overnight borrowing and lending between banks.β’ Tenure: One day (overnight); Notice money: 2-14 days.β’ Participants: Banks (both lenders and borrowers).β’ Rate: Call Money Rate (weighted average).β’ Significance: Reflects short-term liquidity conditions in banking system.34. The term ‘Yield Curve’ represents: Relationship between inflation and growth Relationship between interest rates and bond maturities Relationship between exchange rate and exports Relationship between savings and investmentβ’ Yield Curve: Graph plotting interest rates against bond maturities.β’ Normal curve: Upward sloping (longer maturity = higher yield).β’ Inverted curve: Short-term yields higher than long-term (recession signal).β’ Flat curve: Similar yields across maturities (uncertainty).β’ RBI monitors: Yield curve for monetary policy signals and transmission.35. The Weighted Average Lending Rate (WALR) is used to measure: Bank deposit rates Monetary policy transmission to lending rates Inter-bank lending rates Government borrowing costsβ’ WALR: Measures average interest rate on bank loans.β’ Published by: RBI (monthly).β’ Two types: WALR on fresh loans and WALR on outstanding loans.β’ Use: Assesses effectiveness of monetary policy transmission.β’ Better transmission: Lower difference between Repo cut and WALR decline.36. MCLR (Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate) was introduced in: July 2010 April 2016 October 2019 April 2022β’ MCLR Introduction: April 2016.β’ Replaced: Base Rate system (introduced July 2010).β’ Components: Marginal cost of funds + Operating costs + Tenor premium + CRR cost.β’ Reset period: Monthly by banks.β’ Now being replaced by: External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) for many loan categories.37. The term ‘Neutral Stance’ in monetary policy means: RBI will definitely cut rates RBI is not committed to any particular direction and will act based on data RBI will definitely raise rates RBI will not change rates for one yearβ’ Neutral Stance: RBI not committed to either rate hike or cut.β’ Flexibility: Policy direction depends on incoming data.β’ Other stances: Accommodative (bias towards cuts), Hawkish/Tightening (bias towards hikes).β’ Current RBI stance: Neutral (as of Feb 2026).β’ Stance indicates: Forward guidance to markets about likely policy direction.38. The inflation targeting framework in India uses which measure of inflation? Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Consumer Price Index (CPI) GDP Deflator Producer Price Index (PPI)β’ Inflation Measure: Consumer Price Index (CPI) – Combined.β’ Earlier: Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was primary focus.β’ CPI chosen because: Better reflects cost of living for common people.β’ Published by: National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI.β’ Base Year (current): 2012 (new 2024 base being introduced).39. Money Supply M3 includes: Only currency and demand deposits M1 plus time deposits with banks Only time deposits Currency plus foreign exchangeβ’ M3 (Broad Money): M1 + Time deposits with banks.β’ Most commonly used: Measure of money supply in India.β’ Components: Currency + Demand deposits + Time deposits.β’ Growth target: RBI monitors M3 growth (indicative, not strict target).β’ Also called: Aggregate monetary resources.40. The Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) is: Average lending rate to retail customers Average overnight inter-bank lending rate Average deposit rate of banks Government borrowing rateβ’ WACR: Weighted average interest rate in overnight inter-bank market.β’ Published by: RBI (daily).β’ Significance: Operating target for monetary policy implementation.β’ Ideally: Should be close to Repo Rate.β’ Indicates: Short-term liquidity conditions in banking system.41. The inflation target agreement between Government and RBI is valid for: 3 years 5 years 10 years Indefinite periodβ’ Validity: 5 years.β’ Current agreement: April 2021 to March 2026.β’ Previous agreement: August 2016 to March 2021.β’ Target: 4% CPI with Β±2% tolerance band.β’ Review: Government in consultation with RBI can revise.42. Monetary policy transmission refers to: RBI sending policy documents to banks Process by which policy rate changes affect lending rates and economy Transfer of funds between RBI and banks Communication of MPC decisionsβ’ Transmission: Process by which policy rate changes affect real economy.β’ Channels: Interest rate channel, credit channel, asset price channel, exchange rate channel.β’ WALR: Weighted Average Lending Rate – key measure of transmission.β’ After 125 bps repo cut in 2025: WALR declined by 105 bps (fresh loans).β’ Transmission takes time: Usually 2-4 quarters for full effect.43. The term ‘Liquidity Trap’ refers to a situation where: Very high interest rates discourage borrowing Very low interest rates make monetary policy ineffective Banks refuse to lend at any rate RBI runs out of forex reservesβ’ Liquidity Trap: Interest rates so low that monetary policy becomes ineffective.β’ People prefer: Holding cash over bonds (expect rates to rise, bond prices to fall).β’ Central bank: Cannot stimulate economy by cutting rates further.β’ Concept by: John Maynard Keynes.β’ Solution: Fiscal policy becomes more important; unconventional monetary policy.44. The term ‘Hawkish’ monetary policy refers to: Focus on promoting economic growth Focus on controlling inflation through tight monetary policy Focus on exchange rate stability Focus on increasing money supplyβ’ Hawkish: Focus on controlling inflation, even at cost of growth.β’ Implies: Higher interest rates, tighter liquidity.β’ Opposite: Dovish (focus on growth, tolerant of inflation).β’ Named after: Hawks (aggressive) vs Doves (peaceful) analogy.β’ Hawkish MPC: Likely to raise rates or maintain tight stance.45. The Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was introduced by RBI in: 1995 2000 2005 2010β’ LAF Introduction: June 2000.β’ Recommended by: Narasimham Committee on Banking Sector Reforms (1998).β’ Components: Repo (injection) and Reverse Repo (absorption).β’ Purpose: Manage day-to-day liquidity mismatches in banking system.β’ Now: SDF has replaced fixed Reverse Repo as floor.46. The term ‘Moral Suasion’ in monetary policy means: Legal directions to banks Persuasion and advice by RBI to banks without legal compulsion Fines imposed on non-compliant banks Mandatory rate changesβ’ Moral Suasion: RBI persuades banks through advice, appeal, and suggestion.β’ Not legally binding: Banks voluntarily comply.β’ Methods: Meetings, circulars, public statements, press conferences.β’ Example: RBI advising banks to pass on rate cuts to customers.β’ Qualitative tool: Does not directly change any rates or ratios.47. The Urjit Patel Committee recommended an inflation target of: 2% with Β±1% band 4% with Β±2% band 5% with Β±2% band 6% with Β±1% bandβ’ Recommended target: 4% CPI inflation.β’ Tolerance band: Β± 2% (i.e., 2% to 6%).β’ Timeline proposed: Achieve 4% by 2016-17.β’ Anchor: CPI (Combined) as nominal anchor.β’ Accountability: Report to Parliament if target missed for 3 consecutive quarters.48. The External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) was introduced by RBI from: April 2016 October 2019 January 2021 April 2022β’ EBLR Introduction: October 2019.β’ Applicable to: Retail and MSME loans by banks.β’ External benchmarks: Repo Rate, 3-month/6-month T-Bill yield, any other benchmark by FBIL.β’ Purpose: Faster transmission of policy rate changes to lending rates.β’ Banks must reset: At least once every 3 months.49. Quantitative Easing (QE) is an unconventional monetary policy tool involving: Raising interest rates sharply Large-scale purchase of financial assets by central bank Reducing money supply rapidly Imposing capital controlsβ’ Quantitative Easing: Central bank purchases large quantities of financial assets.β’ Assets purchased: Government bonds, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds.β’ Purpose: Inject liquidity when interest rates near zero (conventional tools exhausted).β’ Used by: US Fed, ECB, Bank of Japan during financial crises.β’ India: Has not formally adopted QE, but OMOs serve similar purpose.50. The CPI inflation projection by RBI for FY 2025-26 (as of February 2026 MPC) is: 1.5% 2.1% 4.0% 5.5%β’ CPI Inflation Projection FY26: 2.1% (marginally raised from 2.0%).β’ Q4 FY26 projection: 3.2%.β’ Q1 FY27 projection: 4.0%.β’ Q2 FY27 projection: 4.2%.β’ Key factors: Rising gold/silver prices impacting core inflation; food deflation moderating.51. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was constituted under which section of RBI Act 1934? Section 42 Section 45ZA Section 45ZB Section 49β’ MPC Constitution: Section 45ZB of RBI Act 1934.β’ Amendment: RBI Act amended in 2016 to introduce MPC.β’ First MPC meeting: October 2016.β’ Earlier: RBI Governor had sole authority to decide policy rates.β’ MPC brings: Collective decision-making and transparency to monetary policy. Loading … For Practice Questions on Fiscal Policy
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