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Topic Primary deficit
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 24 years (2001–2025), peaking in 2025.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 3 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2025
- Recurs across 3 years (2001–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2001 → CDS 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 4) 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.
CSE2025
Suppose the revenue expenditure is ₹ 80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are ₹ 60,000 crores. The Government budget also shows borrowings of ₹ 10,000 crores and interest payments of ₹ 6,000 crores. Which of the following statements are correct?
- Revenue deficit is ₹ 20,000 crores
- Fiscal deficit is ₹ 10,000 crores
- Primary deficit is ₹ 4,000 crores
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A I and II only
- B II and III only
- C I and III only
- D I, II and III ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Economy › Public Finance & Budget
CSE2025
A country's fiscal deficit stands at ₹ 50,000 crores. It is receiving ₹ 10,000 crores through non-debt creating capital receipts. The country's interest liabilities are ₹ 1,500 crores. What is the gross primary deficit?
- A ₹ 48,500 crores ✓
- B ₹ 51,500 crores
- C ₹ 58,500 crores
- D None of the above
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Economy › Public Finance & Budget
CDS2023
Which one of the following expenditures is subtracted from Fiscal Deficit to arrive at Primary Deficit ?
- A Defence expenditure
- B Expenditure on subsidies
- C Interest payments ✓
- D Pension
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Economy › Public Finance & Budget
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