Home / Topic / Colonial Economy
Topic Colonial Economy
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 17 years (1999–2016), peaking in 2016.
Key insights
- Most tested in EPFO — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2016
- Recurs across 2 years (1999–2016)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1999 → EPFO 2016
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
EPFO2016
Who is the author of the work, The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India : A Study in the Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance?
- A Dadabhai Naoroji
- B Dr. B. R. Ambedkar ✓
- C M. N. Roy
- D Jawaharlal Nehru
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
EPFO2016
Which of the following was/were the reason/reasons for the lack of economic development in India in the 19th century?
- Officially the British Government was committed to a policy of laissez-faire, but it was actually a policy of discriminatory intervention
- European entrepreneurs had connections to banks and agency houses, while Indians had to rely on kin, family and caste men
- When plantations were transferred to individual capitalist ownership, native investors were deliberately ignored
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 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Economy › Planning & Reforms
CSE1999
There is no independent development of industries in India during British rule because of the
- A absence of heavy industries ✓
- B scarcity of foreign capital
- C scarcity of natural resources
- D preference of the rich to invest in land
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Economy › Planning & Reforms
Study how UPSC repeats — not just the papers
₹199 / 1 year · Founding Member
Full access unlocks the three things no PYQ PDF gives you:
① Cross-exam learning — see the same idea recur across CSE, CAPF, CDS and NDA.
② Topic evolution — how each idea is framed, year by year.
③ Question intelligence — every PYQ + answer, linked to related concepts and similar questions.
e.g. Round Table Conference: CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → … → CAPF 2024
15 days free, no card required — then ₹199 for 1 year.
Start your 15-day free trial →