📘 Q.8 IAS Prelims 2022 — Economics (Public Finance | Government Borrowing & Internal Debt)

🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk


📌 The Question:

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:

  1. A share of the household financial savings goes towards government borrowings.
  2. Dated securities issued at market-related rates in auctions form a large component of internal debt.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2


🧠 Classroom Explanation

  • Statement 1 is correct
    • Household financial savings include:
      • Bank deposits
      • Insurance and pension funds
      • Mutual funds
      • Small savings schemes
      • Debt securities
    • The Government borrows from the market by issuing G-Secs and Treasury Bills.
    • Banks, insurance companies, provident and pension funds invest household savings into these instruments.
    • Hence, a part of household financial savings ultimately finances government borrowing.
  • Statement 2 is correct
    • Public Debt of the Central Government is classified into:
      • Internal Debt
      • External Debt
    • Internal debt mainly consists of:
      • Marketable debtDated Government Securities & Treasury Bills
      • Non-marketable debt → small savings, special securities
    • Dated securities issued via auctions at market-related interest rates constitute the largest share of internal debt.
    • As of recent years, dated securities account for nearly two-thirds of total public debt.

👉 Therefore, both statements are correct.


🔍 Curiosity Raiser

When households save more,
does the Government breathe easier—or borrow bigger?


🧘 IAS Monk Whisper

Savings sleep in homes,
but awaken as sovereign debt.

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