BOARD QUESTION PAPER : JULY 2025
ECONOMICS
Time: 3 Hrs. Max. Marks: 80
i. Methods adopted in microeconomic analysis:
Options:
ii. Under perfect competition, sellers are:
Options:
iii. Statements that are correct in relation to Index Numbers:
Options:
iv. Obligatory functions of the government:
Options:
v. Types of foreign trade are as follows:
Options:
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i. A desire which is backed by willingness to purchase and ability to pay.
ii. The net addition made to total cost by producing one more unit of output.
iii. The type of market where there are few sellers.
iv. The gross market value of all final goods and services produced within the domestic territory of a country during a period of one year.
v. Buying and selling of goods and services within the boundaries of a nation.
i. Micro economics is also known as __________.
ii. When total utility is maximum then marginal utility is __________.
iii. Demand curve is parallel to 'X' axis in case of __________.
iv. In India, National Income is estimated by Central Statistical Organization (CSO) using __________.
v. A market for lending and borrowing of short term funds is known as __________.
i. Types of utility :
Form utility, Place utility, Marginal utility, Service utility
ii. Determinants of demand :
Price, Income, Prices of substitute goods, Giffen's paradox
iii. Methods of measuring price elasticity of demand :
Income method, Percentage method, Total Expenditure method, Point method / Geometric method.
iv. Exceptions to the law of supply :
Supply of labour, Agricultural goods, Prestige goods, Perishable goods.
v. Non-Tax Revenue Sources :
Fees, Custom duty, Special Assessment, Fines and penalties
i. Raju collected the information about total consumption, total savings and total investment of Indian economy.
Concept: Macroeconomics / Macroeconomic Study
Explanation: Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that studies the behavior and performance of the economy as a whole. It deals with aggregate economic variables like total consumption, total savings, and total investment.
ii. Rise in price by 20% of a commodity 'X' leads to fall in the demand of the same commodity 'X' by 20%.
Concept: Unitary Elastic Demand
Explanation: When the percentage change in quantity demanded is exactly equal to the percentage change in price, it is called Unitary Elastic Demand (Ed = 1).
iii. Swara receives monthly pension of ₹ 8,000 from the State Government of Maharashtra.
Concept: Transfer Payment / Transfer Income
Explanation: It is the income received by a person without providing any goods or services in return in the current period. Old age pension is a unilateral payment made by the government.
iv. Tushar deposited a lumpsum amount of ₹ 1,00,000 in the bank for a period of three years.
Concept: Fixed Deposit (Time Deposit)
Explanation: A Fixed Deposit is an account where a lump sum amount is deposited for a fixed period of time. It carries a higher rate of interest compared to savings deposits.
v. Sharad was able to supply less paper to market due to technical problems in paper making factory although the price of paper remained constant.
Concept: Decrease in Supply
Explanation: When supply falls due to unfavorable changes in factors other than price (like technical problems), while the price remains constant, it is known as a decrease in supply.
(Note: In exam, write in tabular format)
i. Slicing method and Lumping method
| Slicing Method | Lumping Method |
|---|---|
| This method is used in Microeconomics. | This method is used in Macroeconomics. |
| It divides the economy into small individual units (slices) and studies each unit in detail separately. | It lumps or groups the whole economy together and studies it as an aggregate. |
ii. Expansion of demand and Increase in demand
| Expansion of Demand | Increase in Demand |
|---|---|
| It refers to a rise in quantity demanded due to a fall in price alone, other factors remaining constant. | It refers to a rise in demand due to favorable changes in other factors (like income, habits), while price remains constant. |
| It is shown by a downward movement along the same demand curve. | It is shown by a rightward shift of the demand curve. |
iii. Stock and Supply
| Stock | Supply |
|---|---|
| Stock is the total quantity of a commodity available with the seller for sale at a particular point of time. | Supply is the quantity of a commodity that a seller is willing and able to offer for sale at a given price during a given period. |
| Stock is the potential supply. Stock depends on production. | Supply is the actual flow. Supply depends on stock and price. |
iv. Simple Index Number and Weighted Index Number
| Simple Index Number | Weighted Index Number |
|---|---|
| In this method, every commodity is given equal importance. | In this method, weights are assigned to various commodities according to their relative importance. |
| It is the easiest method of constructing index numbers. | It is a relatively complex method but more scientific. |
v. Public Finance and Private Finance
| Public Finance | Private Finance |
|---|---|
| It refers to the financial operations of the government (Central, State, Local). | It refers to the financial operations of an individual or private firm. |
| The government first determines the expenditure and then finds the means (revenue). | An individual first determines their income and then plans the expenditure. |
i. Explain any four features of Micro Economics.
Answer: The main features of Micro Economics are:
- Study of Individual Units: Micro economics is the study of the behavior of small individual economic units, like an individual firm, individual price, individual household, etc.
- Price Theory: Micro economics deals with the determination of the prices of goods and services as well as factors of production. Hence, it is known as Price Theory.
- Slicing Method: It uses the slicing method to split or divide the whole economy into small individual units and then studies each unit separately in detail.
- Partial Equilibrium: It is based on partial equilibrium analysis, which isolates an individual unit from other forces and studies its equilibrium independently.
- Based on Certain Assumptions: It begins with the fundamental assumption, "Other things remaining constant" (Ceteris Paribus).
ii. Explain any four features of perfect competition.
Answer: The features of perfect competition are:
- Large Number of Sellers and Buyers: There are so many sellers and buyers that no single seller or buyer can influence the market price. They are price takers.
- Homogeneous Product: The products sold by all sellers are identical in size, shape, color, taste, quality, etc. They are perfect substitutes for each other.
- Free Entry and Exit: There are no barriers to the entry of new firms or the exit of existing firms from the industry.
- Perfect Knowledge: Buyers and sellers possess perfect knowledge about market conditions, including price and quality of products.
iii. Explain any four functions of Reserve Bank of India.
Answer: The functions of the RBI are:
- Issue of Currency Notes: The RBI has the sole right to issue currency notes of all denominations (except one rupee note and coins, which are issued by the Ministry of Finance).
- Banker to the Government: The RBI acts as a banker, agent, and advisor to the Government. It manages government accounts and public debt.
- Banker's Bank: The RBI exercises statutory control over commercial banks. It acts as the "lender of the last resort" for scheduled banks.
- Controller of Credit: The RBI controls the volume of credit created by commercial banks using quantitative and qualitative methods to maintain economic stability.
iv. Explain the two sector model of the circular flow of National Income.
Answer: The two-sector model consists of Households and Firms (Business sector) in a closed economy with no government or foreign sector.
- Households: They are the owners of factors of production (Land, Labor, Capital, Entrepreneur) and supply them to firms. They receive factor income (Rent, Wages, Interest, Profit).
- Firms: They hire factors of production to produce goods and services. They sell these goods to households.
- Real Flow: Flow of factor services from households to firms and flow of goods/services from firms to households.
- Money Flow: Flow of factor income (Rent, Wages, etc.) from firms to households and flow of consumption expenditure from households to firms.
- In equilibrium: Total Production = Total Income = Total Consumption.
v. Explain the types of Index Number.
Answer: The main types of index numbers are:
- Price Index Number: It measures the general changes in the prices of goods. It compares the level of prices between two different time periods.
- Quantity Index Number: It measures changes in the level of output or physical volume of production in the economy (e.g., agricultural or industrial production).
- Value Index Number: It measures changes in the value of a variable in terms of money. It combines both price and quantity changes (Value = Price × Quantity).
- Special Purpose Index Number: These are constructed for specific purposes, such as Import-Export Index Numbers, Labor Productivity Index, or Share Price Index.
i. There are no real exceptions to the law of Diminishing Marginal Utility.
Disagree.
Reasons:
- Hobbies: In the case of hobbies like collecting stamps or coins, every additional unit increases the pleasure, thus violating the law.
- Misers: For a miser, every additional rupee gives more satisfaction because of their greed for money.
- Addictions: For drunkards or addicts, the consumption of every additional unit of intoxicant increases their level of intoxication and desire, thus MU may increase.
- Power/Music: People often desire more power or listening to good music repeatedly, which may not diminish utility immediately.
- (Note: While economists argue these violate assumptions like homogeneity or rationality, they are traditionally studied as exceptions.)
ii. There are many features of monopolistic competition.
Agree.
Reasons:
- Fairly Large Number of Sellers: There are many sellers, but not as many as in perfect competition.
- Product Differentiation: Each firm produces a product that is slightly different from others (brand, packaging, quality), which is the main feature.
- Selling Costs: Firms incur heavy expenditure on advertisement and sales promotion to attract customers.
- Free Entry and Exit: Firms can enter or exit the market freely.
- Close Substitutes: Products are close substitutes for one another (e.g., different brands of soaps).
iii. There are no limitations of Index Number.
Disagree.
Reasons:
- Based on Samples: Index numbers are based on a sample of items, so they may not represent the whole universe perfectly.
- Bias in Data: The data collected may be biased or inaccurate, leading to misleading results.
- Changes in Quality: Index numbers often ignore changes in the quality of products over time.
- Choice of Base Year: If the base year is not normal (e.g., a war year), the comparison will be invalid.
- Mathematical Limitations: Different mathematical methods (averages) give different results.
iv. Money market plays important role in India.
Agree.
Reasons:
- Liquidity Management: It helps in the management of liquidity by allowing conversion of near-money assets into cash.
- Short-term Requirements: It provides short-term funds to the government, trade, and industry.
- Implementation of Monetary Policy: The central bank uses the money market to implement monetary policies effectively.
- Economizing Cash: It helps banks and financial institutions to use their surplus funds profitably for short periods.
v. There is no difference between the concepts of Balance of Trade and Balance of Payment.
Disagree.
Reasons:
- Scope: Balance of Trade (BOT) is a narrow concept, whereas Balance of Payment (BOP) is a broader concept.
- Coverage: BOT includes only the value of imports and exports of visible goods (merchandise). BOP includes visible goods, invisible items (services), and capital transfers.
- Nature: BOT can be favorable, unfavorable, or balanced. BOP must always balance in the accounting sense.
- Relation: BOT is just a part of the Current Account of the BOP.
i. Observe the given table and answer the questions:
| Unit of commodity | Total Utility | Marginal Utility |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | 18 | 8 |
| 3 | 24 | 6 |
| 4 | 28 | 4 |
| 5 | 30 | 2 |
| 6 | 30 | 0 |
| 7 | 28 | -2 |
Questions:
a. Complete the above table. (2)
b. When total utility increases at a diminishing rate then marginal utility goes on Diminishing. (1)
c. After consuming six units of the commodity, MU becomes Negative. (1)
ii. Observe the following diagrams and answer the questions given below:
(Diagram A shows Rightward Shift in Supply | Diagram B shows Leftward Shift in Supply)
Questions:
1. Diagram 'A' represent Increase in supply. (1)
2. Diagram 'B' represents Decrease in supply. (1)
3. In diagram 'A', the supply curve shifts Right side of the original supply curve. (1)
4. In diagram 'B', the supply curve shifts Left side of the original supply curve. (1)
iii. Read the given passage and answer the questions:
Questions:
1. What is the average annual growth rate of India for the period from 2001 to 2021? (1)
2. Which factors disrupted the growth trends of India's National Income? (1)
3. Express your opinion about the given passage. (2)
i. State and explain the law of demand with its assumptions.
1. Introduction: The Law of Demand was introduced by Dr. Alfred Marshall in his book "Principles of Economics" (1890). It explains the functional relationship between price and quantity demanded.
2. Statement of the Law: "Other things being equal, higher the price of a commodity, smaller is the quantity demanded and lower the price of a commodity, larger is the quantity demanded."
Symbolically: \( D_x = f(P_x) \)
Where \(D_x\) = Demand for commodity x, \(f\) = function, \(P_x\) = Price of commodity x.
3. Explanation: The law indicates an inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded. When price rises, demand falls, and when price falls, demand rises.
4. Demand Schedule: (Example)
- At Price ₹50, Demand is 1 kg.
- At Price ₹40, Demand is 2 kg.
- At Price ₹10, Demand is 5 kg.
This shows as price decreases, quantity demanded increases.
5. Assumptions: The law holds true only if "other things remain constant" (Ceteris Paribus):
- Constant Income: Consumer's income should remain unchanged.
- No Change in Population: Size and composition of population must be constant.
- Prices of Substitute Goods: Prices of substitutes should not change.
- Prices of Complementary Goods: Should remain constant.
- No Expectations: Consumers should not expect further changes in price in the near future.
- Tastes and Habits: Habits, tastes, and preferences of consumers should remain constant.
- No Change in Taxation Policy: Direct and indirect taxes should not change.
ii. Explain the factors influencing the elasticity of demand.
Answer: Elasticity of demand depends on several factors:
- Nature of Commodity:
- Necessities: (e.g., salt, medicine) have inelastic demand because we must buy them regardless of price.
- Luxuries: (e.g., cars, gold) have elastic demand as their purchase can be postponed.
- Availability of Substitutes: Goods with close substitutes (e.g., tea and coffee) have elastic demand. Goods with no close substitutes (e.g., salt) have inelastic demand.
- Number of Uses: A commodity with multiple uses (e.g., electricity, coal) has elastic demand. Single-use goods have less elastic demand.
- Habits: Habitual goods (e.g., cigarettes, liquor) have inelastic demand because consumers are addicted to them.
- Durability: Durable goods (e.g., TV, furniture) have elastic demand (can be postponed). Perishable goods (e.g., milk, vegetables) have inelastic demand.
- Price Range: Very high-priced goods (diamonds) and very low-priced goods (matches) usually have inelastic demand. Goods in the moderate price range have elastic demand.
- Income of Consumer: Very rich or very poor people typically have inelastic demand. Middle-income groups tend to have elastic demand.
iii. Explain the reasons for the growth in public expenditure in India.
Answer: The main reasons for the continuous growth in public expenditure in India are:
- Increase in the Activities of the Government: The modern state is a "Welfare State." It performs not just obligatory functions (defense, law & order) but also optional functions (education, health, social security), leading to higher expenditure.
- Rapid Increase in Population: India's growing population requires huge investment in food, housing, employment, and infrastructure.
- Growing Urbanization: Rapid urbanization creates a need for water supply, roads, energy, and sanitation, increasing government spending.
- Defense Expenditure: Due to unstable international relations and security threats, the government spends a large amount on defense equipment and personnel.
- Spread of Democracy: Democratic governments spend significantly on elections and maintaining democratic institutions.
- Inflation: Rising prices increase the cost of administration and development projects, forcing the government to spend more.
- Disaster Management: Frequent natural calamities like floods, cyclones, and pandemics (like COVID-19) require massive government funds for relief and rehabilitation.
- Development Projects: Huge investment is required for infrastructure like dams, bridges, railways, and power generation to boost economic development.
Solutions provided for educational purposes based on the July 2025 Board Paper.