📘 Q.8 IAS Prelims 2024 — Economics (Monetary Policy | Financial Markets)

🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk


📌 The Question:

Consider the following statements:

  1. In India, Non-Banking Financial Companies can access the Liquidity Adjustment Facility window of the Reserve Bank of India.
  2. In India, Foreign Institutional Investors can hold the Government Securities (G-Secs).
  3. In India, Stock Exchanges can offer separate trading platforms for debts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only


🧠 Curiosity Raiser

Why does UPSC repeatedly test who can access RBI facilities instead of asking about interest rates directly?


📘 Enrichment Notes (Prelims-Oriented | RBI + Markets)

❌ Statement 1 — Incorrect

  • Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) is available only to:
    • Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs)
    • Primary Dealers (PDs)
  • NBFCs do NOT have direct access to LAF
  • Only a few NBFCs that are designated as PDs may participate

📌 UPSC Trap:
NBFCs are regulated by RBI, but regulation ≠ access to LAF


✅ Statement 2 — Correct

  • Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs / FPIs) are permitted to invest in:
    • Government Securities (G-Secs)
    • Treasury Bills
    • State Development Loans (SDLs)
  • Subject to:
    • SEBI registration
    • RBI investment limits (debt ceilings)

📌 This has deepened India’s sovereign bond market and improved liquidity.


✅ Statement 3 — Correct

  • SEBI has allowed separate debt trading platforms on stock exchanges
  • Objective:
    • Develop corporate bond market
    • Improve transparency and liquidity
  • NSE was the first exchange to launch a dedicated debt segment
  • Banks are permitted as trading members in this segment

🧩 Concept Map (Quick Recall)

Facility / MarketWho Can Access
RBI LAFBanks + PDs only
G-SecsDomestic + Foreign investors
Debt PlatformsStock Exchanges (SEBI-approved)

🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

In monetary policy, access is power — and RBI guards its windows carefully.

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