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Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Centre-State Financial Relations: A Critical Examination” suitable for the Civil Services Examination

  1. Which of the following lists is primarily concerned with financial powers in India?
    • A) State List
    • B) Concurrent List
    • C) Union List
    • D) All of the above
    • Answer: C) Union List
  2. The distribution of financial resources between the Centre and the States is primarily governed by which Article of the Indian Constitution?
    • A) Article 280
    • B) Article 245
    • C) Article 356
    • D) Article 110
    • Answer: A) Article 280
  3. Which body is responsible for recommending the distribution of taxes between the Centre and States?
    • A) Finance Commission
    • B) Planning Commission
    • C) NITI Aayog
    • D) Reserve Bank of India
    • Answer: A) Finance Commission
  4. What is the primary source of revenue for the Centre in India?
    • A) Sales tax
    • B) Excise duty
    • C) Income tax
    • D) Property tax
    • Answer: C) Income tax
  5. Which of the following is NOT a source of revenue for State Governments?
    • A) Stamp duty
    • B) Income tax
    • C) Sales tax
    • D) State excise duty
    • Answer: B) Income tax
  6. Which article mandates the establishment of the Finance Commission?
    • A) Article 280
    • B) Article 265
    • C) Article 300
    • D) Article 356
    • Answer: A) Article 280
  7. Which of the following taxes is levied by both the Centre and the States?
    • A) Income tax
    • B) GST
    • C) Custom duty
    • D) Wealth tax
    • Answer: B) GST
  8. The recommendation of the Finance Commission is:
    • A) Binding on the Centre
    • B) Binding on the States
    • C) Advisory
    • D) Mandatory for all governments
    • Answer: C) Advisory
  9. The ‘Constitutional Amendment’ for the introduction of GST in India is:
    • A) 99th Amendment
    • B) 101st Amendment
    • C) 103rd Amendment
    • D) 100th Amendment
    • Answer: B) 101st Amendment
  10. Which of the following is a feature of cooperative federalism in India?
    • A) Centralized power
    • B) Conflict between Centre and States
    • C) Joint decision-making
    • D) Unilateral tax distribution
    • Answer: C) Joint decision-making
  11. Which article deals with the imposition of duties on the goods exported from the State?
    • A) Article 286
    • B) Article 287
    • C) Article 288
    • D) Article 289
    • Answer: C) Article 288
  12. The concept of ‘Fiscal Federalism’ refers to:
    • A) Political relations between Centre and States
    • B) Financial relations and distribution of resources
    • C) Social policies of the government
    • D) Economic development of states
    • Answer: B) Financial relations and distribution of resources
  13. Which of the following is a primary challenge in Centre-State financial relations?
    • A) Excessive fiscal autonomy of States
    • B) Central dominance over State revenues
    • C) Lack of tax base in States
    • D) Inefficient public spending by States
    • Answer: B) Central dominance over State revenues
  14. The share of States in the net proceeds of taxes is determined by:
    • A) Planning Commission
    • B) Finance Commission
    • C) Ministry of Finance
    • D) NITI Aayog
    • Answer: B) Finance Commission
  15. Which article provides for the distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States?
    • A) Article 270
    • B) Article 268
    • C) Article 269
    • D) Article 271
    • Answer: A) Article 270
  16. Which of the following is a tax that cannot be levied by the States?
    • A) Sales tax
    • B) Income tax
    • C) Custom duty
    • D) Stamp duty
    • Answer: C) Custom duty
  17. Which institution is NOT involved in the financial distribution between Centre and States?
    • A) Finance Commission
    • B) NITI Aayog
    • C) Reserve Bank of India
    • D) Planning Commission
    • Answer: C) Reserve Bank of India
  18. Which of the following articles empowers the Centre to provide grants-in-aid to States?
    • A) Article 275
    • B) Article 280
    • C) Article 286
    • D) Article 289
    • Answer: A) Article 275
  19. The implementation of GST is aimed at:
    • A) Reducing taxes
    • B) Simplifying tax structure
    • C) Increasing state revenues
    • D) Centralizing taxation
    • Answer: B) Simplifying tax structure
  20. Which of the following is an effect of fiscal decentralization?
    • A) Increased regional disparities
    • B) Enhanced local governance
    • C) Centralized decision-making
    • D) Uniform development across States
    • Answer: B) Enhanced local governance
  21. The constitutional provision that requires the Centre to consult the States on matters affecting them is:
    • A) Article 252
    • B) Article 253
    • C) Article 256
    • D) Article 263
    • Answer: C) Article 256
  22. Which is a consequence of the Centre’s power to impose taxes on States?
    • A) Increased autonomy of States
    • B) Enhanced fiscal capacity of States
    • C) Diminished financial independence of States
    • D) Equalization of resources
    • Answer: C) Diminished financial independence of States
  23. Which of the following is a feature of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India?
    • A) Single tax for all goods
    • B) Dual GST model
    • C) Imposed solely by the Centre
    • D) Excludes service tax
    • Answer: B) Dual GST model
  24. Which article defines the distribution of taxes between the Union and the States?
    • A) Article 265
    • B) Article 266
    • C) Article 267
    • D) Article 268
    • Answer: D) Article 268
  25. Which of the following is an example of vertical imbalance in Indian federalism?
    • A) Inequitable distribution of resources
    • B) Disparities in State revenue generation
    • C) Over-dependence on Central grants
    • D) All of the above
    • Answer: D) All of the above
  26. The difference between Central taxes and State taxes is primarily based on:
    • A) Tax rates
    • B) Type of goods and services
    • C) Jurisdiction
    • D) Tax collection methods
    • Answer: C) Jurisdiction
  27. The ‘Goods and Services Tax Network’ (GSTN) is responsible for:
    • A) Collecting GST
    • B) Developing technology and infrastructure for GST
    • C) Distributing GST revenue to States
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: B) Developing technology and infrastructure for GST
  28. Which of the following reflects the principles of fiscal federalism?
    • A) Centralized revenue generation
    • B) Decentralized service delivery
    • C) State-centric policies
    • D) Federal expenditure control
    • Answer: B) Decentralized service delivery
  29. Which of the following fiscal measures is aimed at reducing the financial dependence of States on the Centre?
    • A) Increased grants-in-aid
    • B) Enhanced revenue generation capabilities
    • C) Centralization of resources
    • D) Fiscal deficits
    • Answer: B) Enhanced revenue generation capabilities
  30. Which article mandates the Centre to finance the developmental projects in the States?
    • A) Article 274
    • B) Article 275
    • C) Article 276
    • D) Article 277
    • Answer: B) Article 275

These questions and answers cover various aspects of Centre-State financial relations, including constitutional provisions, the role of the Finance Commission, and challenges within the framework of Indian federalism.

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