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Q52·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2020

India's International Trade Profile

EconomyExternal Sector & TradeStatement-basedMediumCurrent-affairs-linked

Question

With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1.

    India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.

  2. 2.

    India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years.

  3. 3.

    India's exports of services are more than its imports of services.

  4. 4.

    India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

Options

a

1 and 2 only

b

2 and 4 only

c

3 only

d

1, 3 and 4 only

Answer

Explanation

India historically runs a structural merchandise trade deficit, meaning its merchandise imports exceed exports (Statement 1 is correct). However, India runs a consistent surplus in the services trade (Statement 3 is correct). Despite the services surplus, the massive merchandise deficit usually pulls the overall current account into a deficit (Statement 4 is correct). Imports of bulk capital goods like chemicals, machinery, and fertilizers generally show an increasing or fluctuating trend driven by domestic demand, not a structural decrease (Statement 2 is incorrect). > One-line conceptual takeaway: India's Balance of Payments is characterized by a strong services surplus that partially offsets a massive merchandise trade deficit. Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2020

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q52

Subject

Economy

Sub-topic

External Sector & Trade

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Current-affairs-linked

Source hint

Economic Survey 2019-20 / Balance of Payments

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