Definition and concept of legal tender
Question
Which one of the following statements correctly describes the meaning of legal tender money?
Options
The money which is tendered in courts of law to defray the fee of legal cases
The money which a creditor is under compulsion to accept in settlement of his claims
The bank money in the form of cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, etc.
The metallic money in circulation in a country
Explanation
Legal tender money is defined as money which a creditor is under compulsion to accept in settlement of his claims. It is money that by law must be accepted as a medium of payment for debts and obligations. Legal tender has the force of law behind it - creditors cannot refuse it in payment. Option (a) is incorrect as it refers to court fees, not the definition. Option (c) is incorrect as bank money (cheques, drafts) is not legal tender in the strict sense - it is a substitute for money. Option (d) is incorrect as legal tender includes both metallic and paper currency, and all forms of legal money are legal tender. The key characteristic is the compulsory acceptance by creditors. > Definition: Legal tender = Money creditors MUST accept by law for debt settlement. Answer: (b).
Question details
Year
2018
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q46
Subject
Economy
Sub-topic
Monetary economics and currency
Type
Factual single
Difficulty
Easy
Nature
Static
Source hint
Economics - Money and Banking
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