Indian Economy › Taxation – UPSC Prelims PYQs

19 questions · 1995–2025 · answers as per the UPSC key

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UPSC 2025 · Q5 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Consider the following statements :

Statement I : In India, income from allied agricultural activities like poultry farming and wool rearing in rural areas is exempted from any tax.

Statement II : In India, rural agricultural land is not considered a capital asset under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
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Answer: (d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
UPSC 2022 · Q8 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Which one of the following situations best reflects “Indirect Transfers” often talked about in media recently with reference to India ?

(a) An Indian company investing in a foreign enterprise and paying taxes to the foreign country on the profits arising out of its investment
(b) A foreign company investing in India and paying taxes to the country of its base on the profits arising out of its investment
(c) An Indian company purchases tangible assets in a foreign country and sells such assets after their value increases and transfers the proceeds to India
(d) A foreign company transfers shares and such shares derive their substantial value from assets located in India
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Answer: (d) A foreign company transfers shares and such shares derive their substantial value from assets located in India
UPSC 2018 · Q8 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

With reference to India's decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  1. It is introduced as a part of the Income Tax Act.
  2. Non-resident entities that offer advertisement services in India can claim a tax credit in their home country under the "Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements".

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
UPSC 2018 · Q97 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Consider the following items :

  1. Cereal grains hulled
  2. Chicken eggs cooked
  3. Fish processed and canned
  4. Newspapers containing advertising material

Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Goods and Services Tax) ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
UPSC 2017 · Q81 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing 'Goods and Services Tax (GST)' ?

  1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
  2. It will drastically reduce the 'Current Account Deficit' of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
  3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: (a) 1 only
UPSC 2016 · Q60 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

The term 'Base Erosion and Profit Shifting' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) mining operation by multinational companies in resource-rich but backward areas
(b) curbing of the tax evasion by multinational companies
(c) exploitation of genetic resources of a country by multinational companies
(d) lack of consideration of environmental costs in the planning and implementation of developmental projects
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Answer: (b) curbing of the tax evasion by multinational companies
UPSC 2014 · Q27 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

(a) tax imposed by the Central Government
(b) tax imposed by the Central Government but collected by the State Government
(c) tax imposed by the State Government but collected by the Central Government
(d) tax imposed and collected by the State Government
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Answer: (d) tax imposed and collected by the State Government
UPSC 2012 · Q76 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Under which of the following circumstances may 'capital gains' arise?

  1. When there is an increase in the sales of a product
  2. When there is a natural increase in the value of the property owned
  3. When you purchase a painting and there is a growth in its value due to increase in its popularity

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
UPSC 2011 · Q16 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Which one of the following is not a feature of “Value Added Tax”?

(a) It is a multi-point destination-based system of taxation
(b) It is a tax levied on value addition at each stage of transaction in the production-distribution chain
(c) It is a tax on the final consumption of goods or services and must ultimately be borne by the consumer
(d) It is basically a subject of the Central Government and the State Governments are only a facilitator for its successful implementation
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Answer: (d) It is basically a subject of the Central Government and the State Governments are only a facilitator for its successful implementation
UPSC 2010 · Q143 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

In India, the tax proceeds of which one of the following as a percentage of gross tax revenue has significantly declined in the last five years ?

(a) Service tax
(b) Personal income tax
(c) Excise duty
(d) Corporation tax
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Answer: (c) Excise duty
UPSC 2010 · Q145 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Consider the following statements : In India, taxes on transactions in Stock Exchanges and Futures Markets are

  1. Levied by the Union
  2. Collected by the States

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (a) 1 only
UPSC 2009 · Q49 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Consider the following :

  1. Fringe Benefit Tax
  2. Interest Tax
  3. Securities Transaction Tax

Which of the above is/are Direct Tax/Taxes ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
UPSC 2006 · Q107 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Which one of the following is the correct statement? Service tax is a/an

(a) direct tax levied by the Central Government
(b) indirect tax levied by the Central Government
(c) direct tax levied by the State Government
(d) indirect tax levied by the State Government
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Answer: (b) indirect tax levied by the Central Government
UPSC 2004 · Q36 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Which of the following is not a recommendation of the task force on direct taxes under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijay L. Kelkar in the year 2002?

(a) Abolition of Wealth Tax
(b) Increase in the exemption limit of personal income to Rs. 1.20 lakh for widows
(c) Elimination of standard deduction
(d) Exemption from tax on dividends and capital gains from the listed equity
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Answer: (b) Increase in the exemption limit of personal income to Rs. 1.20 lakh for widows
UPSC 2003 · Q87 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

The Kelkar proposals which were in the news recently were the

(a) recommendations for reforms in the power sector
(b) recommendations for tax reforms
(c) guidelines for the privatisation
(d) guidelines for reducing vehicular pollution, and the promotion of CNG use
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Answer: (b) recommendations for tax reforms
UPSC 2001 · Q82 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Consider the following taxes: I. Corporation tax II. Customs duty III. Wealth tax IV. Excise duty

Which of these is/are indirect taxes?

(a) I only
(b) II and IV
(c) I and III
(d) II and III
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Answer: (b) II and IV
UPSC 2000 · Q7 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

The Standing Committee of State Finance Ministers recommended in January 2000 uniform rates across the States in respect of

(a) value-added tax
(b) sales tax
(c) stamp duty and registration fees
(d) agricultural income tax
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Answer: (b) sales tax
UPSC 1997 · Q103 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

The Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) was introduced in the Budget of the Government of India for the year

(a) 1991-92
(b) 1992-93
(c) 1995-96
(d) 1996-97
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Answer: (d) 1996-97
UPSC 1995 · Q46 · Indian Economy › Taxation · Save

Corporation tax

(a) is levied and appropriated by the States
(b) is levied by the Union and collected and appropriated by the States
(c) is levied by the Union and shared by the Union and the States
(d) is levied by the Union and belongs to it exclusively
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Answer: (d) is levied by the Union and belongs to it exclusively