UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — We need fiscal prudence during elections

Question 1

With reference to unconditional cash transfer schemes for women operationalised by State governments in 2025-26, consider the following pairings of State and scheme:
1. Maharashtra — Mukhya Mantri Mazi Ladaki Bahin Yojana
2. West Bengal — Lakshmir Bhandar
3. Chhattisgarh — Mahtari Vandan Yojana
4. Tamil Nadu — Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 2

According to the PRS 'State of State Finances 2025-26' report, how many States in India are providing unconditional cash transfers to women in 2025-26?

Accepted Answer

12

Answer

6

Answer

9

Answer

15

Question 3

The annual publication 'State Finances: A Study of Budgets', which flags non-merit freebies, DISCOM dues and contingent liabilities as emerging risks to State fiscal health, is brought out by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Reserve Bank of India

Answer

NITI Aayog

Answer

Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance

Answer

Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Question 4

Among the following State women cash-transfer schemes, which one accounted for the largest share — about 10 per cent — of the State's own revenue receipts in the 2025-26 Budget Estimates?

Accepted Answer

Lakshmir Bhandar (West Bengal)

Answer

Mukhya Mantri Mazi Ladaki Bahin Yojana (Maharashtra)

Answer

Mahtari Vandan Yojana (Chhattisgarh)

Answer

Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (Tamil Nadu)

Question 5

The ceiling that the outstanding debt of all State governments taken together should not exceed 20 per cent of GDP was recommended by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

FRBM Review Committee (N.K. Singh Committee), 2017

Answer

Fifteenth Finance Commission, 2020

Answer

Vijay Kelkar Task Force on FRBM, 2004

Answer

Y.V. Reddy Committee on Public Debt Management, 2015

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — We need fiscal prudence during elections

Q2. According to the PRS 'State of State Finances 2025-26' report, how many States in India are providing unconditional cash transfers to women in 2025-26?

Q3. The annual publication 'State Finances: A Study of Budgets', which flags non-merit freebies, DISCOM dues and contingent liabilities as emerging risks to State fiscal health, is brought out by which one of the following?

Q4. Among the following State women cash-transfer schemes, which one accounted for the largest share — about 10 per cent — of the State's own revenue receipts in the 2025-26 Budget Estimates?

Q5. The ceiling that the outstanding debt of all State governments taken together should not exceed 20 per cent of GDP was recommended by which one of the following?