Which one of the following is not true about the total outlay in the Union Budget 2023-24?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — D, 'Subsidies (9%)' is the statement that is NOT true. In the Union Budget 2023-24 'Budget at a Glance — where the rupee goes' chart, subsidies accounted for about 7% of the rupee (total subsidies ≈ ₹4.03 lakh crore), not 9%. The other three figures are exactly as printed — interest payments 20% (the single largest outgo), states' share of taxes and duties 18%, and defence 8% — so only the subsidies figure is misstated, making (d) the answer.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) True — interest payments were 20% of the rupee, the single largest expenditure item; correctly stated, so not the answer.  (b) True — devolution of taxes and duties to the states was 18% of the rupee; correctly stated.  (c) True — defence took 8% of the rupee; correctly stated.

Concept: The 'Budget at a Glance' document publishes two pie charts — where the rupee comes from and where it goes. For 2023-24 the 'rupee goes to' shares were: interest 20%, states' share 18%, central sector schemes 17%, centrally sponsored schemes 9%, finance commission & other transfers 9%, defence 8%, other expenditure 8%, subsidies 7%, and pensions 4%. Interest payments are the biggest outgo, reflecting India's debt-servicing burden.

State PCS 2023 Q75 — Economy PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q75 — Economy PYQ with Answer