RBI Assistant General Awareness Syllabus

What is the difference between Direct Tax and Indirect Tax, with examples?

Direct taxes are levied directly on income/wealth and cannot be shifted (e.g., Income Tax, Corporate Tax). Indirect taxes are levied on goods and services and can be passed to consumers (e.g., GST, customs duty).

When was GST implemented in India and what are its components?

GST (Goods and Services Tax) was implemented on 1 July 2017. Its components are CGST (Central), SGST (State), IGST (Integrated, on inter-state supply), and UTGST (Union Territory).

What is the difference between GDP and GNP?

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders. GNP (Gross National Product) is GDP plus net factor income earned by residents from abroad.

What is the difference between Inflation, Deflation, and Stagflation?

Inflation is a sustained rise in the general price level. Deflation is a sustained fall in prices. Stagflation is the simultaneous occurrence of high inflation, stagnant growth, and high unemployment.

What is the Union Budget and under which Article of the Constitution is it presented?

The Union Budget is the annual financial statement of the government's estimated receipts and expenditure. It is presented under Article 112 of the Constitution of India.

Who presents the Union Budget of India, and on what date is it now presented?

The Union Finance Minister presents the Union Budget. Since 2017, it has been presented on 1 February each year.

What is Repo-linked Lending and the MCLR?

MCLR (Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate) is the minimum interest rate below which banks cannot lend, based on their cost of funds. Many retail loans are now linked to an external benchmark like the repo rate (RLLR) instead of MCLR for faster transmission.

Who appoints the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and what is the term?

The RBI Governor is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee, typically for a term of up to 3 years (renewable).

What is the National Pension System (NPS) and who regulates it?

NPS is a voluntary, defined-contribution retirement savings scheme regulated by PFRDA, open to all Indian citizens aged 18-70.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?

PMJDY, launched in 2014, is a national financial inclusion mission providing universal access to banking with zero-balance accounts, a RuPay debit card, accident insurance, and overdraft facilities.

Name three government social-security insurance/pension schemes for the unorganised sector.

PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, life insurance), PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, accident insurance), and APY (Atal Pension Yojana, pension).

What is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and its three loan categories?

PMMY provides collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm micro/small enterprises. Categories: Shishu (up to Rs 50,000), Kishore (Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh), and Tarun (Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh).

What is the difference between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in terms of strength and dissolution?

The Lok Sabha (House of the People) has a maximum strength of 552, is directly elected, and can be dissolved. The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) has a maximum of 250 members, is a permanent body (one-third retiring every 2 years) and cannot be dissolved.

Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights, and how many are there?

Part III of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights. There are six: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

What are the Directive Principles of State Policy and in which part are they?

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines for the State to frame laws and policies, contained in Part IV of the Constitution. They are non-justiciable (not enforceable in court).

Which is the longest river in India and which is the longest river in the world?

The Ganga is the longest river flowing entirely within India (about 2,525 km). The Nile is generally considered the longest river in the world.

What is the Tropic of Cancer and how many Indian states does it pass through?

The Tropic of Cancer is the latitude at 23.5 degrees North. It passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.

Which Indian states share borders with the most neighbouring countries, and how many countries border India?

India shares land borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. (Sri Lanka and Maldives are maritime neighbours.)

Who was the first Governor-General of independent India and the last Viceroy of India?

Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy and the first Governor-General of independent India. C. Rajagopalachari was the first and only Indian Governor-General.

In which year did the Revolt of 1857 occur and what is it also known as?

The Revolt of 1857, also called the First War of Indian Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny, began in Meerut and is regarded as the first major uprising against British rule.

Name the classical dance forms associated with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

Bharatanatyam is from Tamil Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are from Kerala, and Kuchipudi is from Andhra Pradesh.

What is the SI unit of force, and what is the formula relating force, mass, and acceleration?

The SI unit of force is the Newton (N). The formula is Force = mass x acceleration (F = ma), from Newton's second law of motion.

What is the chemical formula of water and of common table salt?

Water is H2O. Common table salt (sodium chloride) is NaCl.

What is photosynthesis and what gas does it release?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight and chlorophyll, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

What is the difference between a Bull market and a Bear market?

A bull market is when stock prices are rising and investor confidence is high. A bear market is when prices are falling (typically 20% or more from recent highs) and sentiment is pessimistic.

What is the difference between the Primary market and the Secondary market?

The primary market is where new securities are issued for the first time (e.g., IPOs). The secondary market is where existing securities are traded among investors (e.g., stock exchanges like NSE and BSE).

What are the benchmark indices of the BSE and NSE?

The benchmark index of the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) is the Sensex (30 stocks). The benchmark index of the NSE (National Stock Exchange) is the Nifty 50 (50 stocks).

Where are the headquarters of the IMF and the World Bank, and what is the IMF's main role?

Both the IMF and the World Bank are headquartered in Washington D.C., USA. The IMF (International Monetary Fund) ensures global monetary cooperation and exchange-rate stability and provides short-term balance-of-payments support.

What is the difference between the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

The World Bank provides loans and grants for development projects to reduce poverty. The WTO, headquartered in Geneva, regulates international trade rules between nations. The WTO was established in 1995, succeeding GATT.

What is the Deposit Insurance under DICGC, and what is the maximum insured amount?

DICGC (Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation), a wholly-owned RBI subsidiary, insures bank deposits. Each depositor is insured up to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh per bank (raised from Rs 1 lakh in 2020).