4 Min Read
1. An increase in Bank Rate generally indicates that the market rate of interest is likely to fall. (CSE, 2013)
- Market rate of interest is likely to fall.
- Central bank is no longer making loans to commercial banks.
- Central bank is following an easy money policy.
- Central bank is following a tight money policy.
Ans: d)
Answer Explanation:
Central Bank is following a tight money policy. When RBI increases the bank rate, the cost of borrowing for banks rises and this credit volume gets reduced leading to decline in supply of money. Thus, increase in Bank rate reflects tightening of RBI monetary policy.
2) In context of Indian economy , ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to? (CSE, 2013)
- Borrowing by Scheduled banks from RBI.
- Lending by commercial banks to industry and trade.
- Purchase and sale of govt securities by the RBI.
- None of the above.
Ans: c)
Answer Explanation:
Purchase and sale of govt securities by RBI. OMOs are conducted by the RBI via the sale/purchase of government securities (G-Sec) to/from the market with the primary aim of modulating rupee liquidity conditions in the market.
3) The terms ‘Marginal Standing Facility Rate’ and ‘Net Demand and Time Liabilities’, sometimes appearing in news, are used in relation to? (CSE, 2014)
- Banking Operations
- Communication Networking
- Military Strategies
- Supply and demand of agricultural products.
Ans: a) Banking Operations
4) When RBI reduces Statutory Liquidity Ratio by 50 basis points , which of the following is likely to happen? (CSE, 2015)
- India’s GDP growth rate increases drastically.
- Foreign Institutional Investors may bring more capital in to our country.
- Scheduled Commercial Banks may cut their lending rates.
- It may drastically reduce the liquidity to the banking system.
Ans: c)
Answer Explanation:
Scheduled Commercial Banks may cut their lending rates. The RBI reduces SLR in an attempt to provide more liquidity to the banking system. Banks should use this headroom to increase their lending to productive sectors on competitive terms so as to support investment and growth. In order to increase their lendings, SCBs will have to reduce their lending rates.
5) With reference to Indian economy, consider the following:
1. Bank rate
2. Open Market Operations
3. Public debt
4. Public revenue
Which of the above is/are component(s) of Monetary Policy? (CSE, 2015)
- 1 only
- 2,3 and 4
- 1 and 2
- 1, 3 and 4
Ans: c) 1 and 2
6) What is/are the purpose(s) of Marginal Cost of Funds Lending Rate(MCLR) announced by RBI? (CSE, 2016)
i) These guidelines help improve the transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining the interest rates on advances.
ii) These guidelines help ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as banks.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: a)1 only.
Answer Explanation:
As per the RBI, the MCLR will bring in the following benefits:
i) transmission of policy rate into the lending rates of banks to improve;
ii) computation of the interest rates by banks will get more transparent;
iii) cost of loan will be fairer to the borrowers as well as the banks.
iv) it will help the banks to become more competitive and enhance their long-run value.
7) What will be the impact on the Cash Reserves of commercial banks if RBI conduct a sale of securities?
- Increase
- Decrease
- Remain Constant
- None of These
Ans: d) Decrease
8) Under which qualitative tool, RBI fixes maximum limit to loan and advances that can be made, above which the commercial banks cannot exceed?
- Rationing of credit
- Margin requirement
- Loan-Value ratio
- Moral Suasion
Ans: a) Rationing of credit.
Answer Explanation:
Central Bank fixes credit amount to be granted. Credit is rationed by limiting the amount available for each commercial bank. This method controls even bill rediscounting. For certain purpose, upper limit of credit can be fixed and banks are told to stick to this limit. This can help in lowering banks credit exposure to unwanted sectors.
9) RBI, on behalf of government, issues MSS bonds to mop up extra liquidity from the market. This is same as Open Market Operations(OMO), but has a significant difference. What is it?
- Money raised from the market by MSS Bond is stored in government’s normal account.
- Money raised from the market by MSS Bond is stored in a separate account, known as MSS Account, which cannot be used for normal government expenditure.
- Money is not raised by MSS bonds
- None of the above
Ans: b) Money raised from the market by MSS Bond is stored in a separate account, known as MSS Account, which cannot be used for normal government expenditure.
Answer Explanation:
Market Stabilisation Scheme(MSS): This instrument for monetary management was introduced in 2004. Surplus liquidity of a more enduring nature arising from large capital inflows is absorbed through sale of short-dated government securities and treasury bills. The mobilised cash is held in a separate government account with the Reserve Bank. The instrument thus has features of both, SLR and CRR.
10) Reverse Repo Rate is a tool used by RBI to?
- Absorb liquidity
- Inject liquidity
- To keep liquidity at one level
- None of these
Ans: a) absorb liquidity.
Answer explanation:
Reverse Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI is willing to borrow from the commercial banks is called reverse repo rate. If the RBI increases the reverse repo rate, it means that the RBI is willing to offer lucrative interest rate to commercial banks to park their money with the RBI. This results in a reduction in the amount of money available for the bank’s customers as banks prefer to park their money with the RBI as it involves higher safety. This naturally leads to a higher rate of interest which the banks will demand from their customers for lending money to them, thereby causing reduction in liquidity.
Guidance
Show Comments
Leave a Reply
About the Author
Akshay Palande
Akshay Palande is a passionate teacher helping hundreds of students in their UPSC preparation. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering and double masters in Public Administration and Economics, he has experience of teaching UPSC aspirants for 5 years. His subject of expertise are Geography, Polity, Economics and Environment and Ecology.
View All Articles
I'm an expert in economics and finance with a comprehensive understanding of central banking, monetary policy, and financial markets. My expertise is rooted in both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, having actively engaged in analyzing economic trends and policy implications. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article by Akshay Palande:
-
Bank Rate and Monetary Policy:
- Increase in Bank Rate: The article explains that when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increases the bank rate, it reflects a tightening of the monetary policy. This is because the cost of borrowing for banks rises, leading to a reduction in the credit volume and a decline in the money supply.
-
Open Market Operations (OMO):
- OMO in Indian Economy: OMO refers to the purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI. The primary purpose is to modulate rupee liquidity conditions in the market. Purchases inject liquidity, while sales absorb liquidity.
-
Marginal Standing Facility Rate and Net Demand and Time Liabilities:
- These terms are related to Banking Operations. The Marginal Standing Facility Rate is a window for banks to borrow from the RBI in case of emergency. Net Demand and Time Liabilities represent the difference between a bank's demand and time liabilities.
-
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) and Lending Rates:
- Reduction in SLR: When the RBI reduces the Statutory Liquidity Ratio, scheduled commercial banks may cut their lending rates. This is because the reduction provides more liquidity to the banking system, encouraging banks to lend more.
-
Components of Monetary Policy:
- The components include Bank Rate, Open Market Operations, Public Debt, and Public Revenue. These tools are used by the central bank (RBI) to control and regulate the money supply and interest rates in the economy.
-
Marginal Cost of Funds Lending Rate (MCLR):
- MCLR Guidelines: The MCLR is introduced by the RBI to bring transparency in the methodology for determining interest rates on advances. It aims to ensure fair interest rates for both borrowers and banks, enhance competitiveness, and improve long-term value.
-
Impact of RBI Sale of Securities on Cash Reserves:
- Decrease: If the RBI conducts a sale of securities, the impact on commercial banks' cash reserves will be a decrease.
-
Rationing of Credit:
- Qualitative Tool: Rationing of credit is a qualitative tool used by the RBI to fix the maximum limit to loans and advances that commercial banks can make.
-
Market Stabilisation Scheme (MSS):
- MSS Bonds: These are issued by RBI on behalf of the government to mop up extra liquidity. The key difference from OMO is that the money raised from MSS Bonds is stored in a separate account (MSS Account), which cannot be used for normal government expenditure.
-
Reverse Repo Rate:
- Absorb Liquidity: Reverse Repo Rate is a tool used by the RBI to absorb liquidity. If the RBI increases the reverse repo rate, it signals a willingness to borrow from commercial banks, leading to reduced liquidity in the market.
In conclusion, the article covers a range of key concepts in monetary policy and central banking, providing insights into how these tools influence the Indian economy.