📘 Q.1 IAS Prelims 2021 — Economics (RBI: Appointment, Powers & Legal Basis)
🧷 Classroom Explanation | IAS Monk Standard Format
📌 Consider the following statements:
- The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government.
- Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest.
- The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.
📌 Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: (c)
🧠 Classroom Explanation
🔹 Statement 1 — Correct
- Section 8 of the RBI Act, 1934 clearly states that the Governor and up to four Deputy Governors are appointed by the Central Government.
- Hence, the appointment power lies with the Executive, not Parliament or the Constitution.
🔹 Statement 2 — Incorrect
- The power of the Central Government to issue directions to the RBI does NOT come from the Constitution of India.
- Instead, this power is derived from Section 7 of the RBI Act, 1934, which allows the government to issue directions in public interest after consultation with the RBI Governor.
🔹 Statement 3 — Correct
- The authority, powers, and functions of the RBI Governor are entirely derived from the RBI Act, 1934, especially Section 7, which grants:
- General superintendence
- Direction over RBI’s affairs
- Authority to exercise all powers of the Bank
🧮 Final Evaluation
| Statement | Status |
|---|---|
| 1 | ✅ Correct |
| 2 | ❌ Incorrect |
| 3 | ✅ Correct |
➡️ Correct combination: 1 and 3 only
🔍 Curiosity Raiser
Why did the framers intentionally keep RBI powers outside the Constitution, unlike bodies such as the Election Commission?
🧘 IAS Monk Whisper
Institutions draw strength not from distance,
but from clearly written limits.
