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Prelims 2022 paper

UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I · Question 5 · Capital markets, insurance & financial instruments

भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के सन्दर्भ में, “मुद्रास्फीति-सहलग्न बॉन्ड (Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs))”…

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Question 5 — Capital markets, insurance & financial instruments.

भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के सन्दर्भ में, “मुद्रास्फीति-सहलग्न बॉन्ड (Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs))” के क्या लाभ हैं ?

  1. 1.सरकार IIBs के रूप में अपने ऋणग्रहण पर कूपन दरों को कम कर सकती है ।
  2. 2.IIBs निवेशकों को मुद्रास्फीति के बारे में अनिश्चितता से सुरक्षा प्रदान करते हैं ।
  3. 3.IIBs पर प्राप्त ब्याज और साथ ही साथ पूँजीगत लाभ कर-योग्य नहीं होते ।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में कौन-से सही हैं ?

Read this question in English

With reference to the Indian economy, what are the advantages of "Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs)"?

1. Government can reduce the coupon rates on its borrowing by way of IIBs.

2. IIBs provide protection to the investors from uncertainty regarding inflation.

3. The interest received as well as capital gains on IIBs are not taxable.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only · (b) 2 and 3 only · (c) 1 and 3 only · (d) 1, 2 and 3

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (a) केवल 1 और 2

Because the principal and payouts of an IIB rise with inflation, investors do not need an extra premium for inflation risk, so the government can borrow at a lower (real) coupon while investors are shielded from inflation. There is no tax break: normal tax rules apply to both interest and capital gains.

  • ✓ 1. The RBI's technical paper on IIBs lists cost savings for the government, partly by removing the risk premium that lenders charge for uncertain inflation, so the coupon can be set lower in real terms.
  • ✓ 2. The principal is indexed to inflation and the coupon is paid on the indexed principal, so the investor's real return is protected when prices rise.
  • ✗ 3. The RBI's FAQ says existing tax provisions apply to interest and capital gains on IIBs; there is no special tax treatment.

Remember · IIBs: principal indexed to inflation, real coupon; cheaper borrowing for government (no inflation risk premium) and inflation protection for investors; fully taxable as usual.

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2022, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE Prelims 2022, Q5 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2022/q5

In the UPSC syllabus: Capital markets, insurance & financial instruments › Capital markets: shares, bonds & SEBI See it and tick it covered →

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