Economics

SESSION – II

(Two Sections– Two hours – 100 Marks)

Section C: General Economics ( 50 Marks )

Objective:
To ensure basic understanding of economic systems, economic behaviour of individuals and
organizations.

Contents

(I) Micro Economics

1. Introduction to Micro Economics
(a) Definition, scope and nature of Economics
(b) Methods of economic study
(c) Central problems of an economy and Production possibilities curve.

2. Theory of Demand and Supply
(a) Meaning and determinants of demand, Law of demand and Elasticity of demand ─  Price, income and
cross elasticity
(b) Theory of consumer ’s behaviour – Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach
(c) Meaning and determinants of supply, Law of supply and Elasticity of supply.

3. Theory of Production and Cost
(a) Meaning and Factors of production
(b) Laws of Production – The Law of variable proportions and Laws of returns to scale
(c) Concepts of Costs ─  Short-run and long-run costs, Average and marginal costs, Total, fixed and
variable costs.

4. Price Determination in Different Markets
(a) Various forms of markets – Perfect Competition, Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
(b) Price determination in these markets.

(II) Indian Economic Development

5. Indian Economy – A Profile
(a) Nature of the Indian Economy
(b) Role of different sectors – Agriculture, Industry and Services in the development of the Indian
economy, their problems and growth
(c) National Income of India – Concepts of national income,  Different methods of measuring national
income, Growth of national income  and per capita income in various plans.
(d) Basic understanding of tax system of India – Direct and Indirect Taxation

6. Select Aspects of Indian Economy
(a) Population – Its size, rate of growth and its implication for growth
(b) Poverty – Absolute and relative poverty and main programs for poverty alleviation
(c) Unemployment – Types, causes and incidence of unemployment
(d) Infrastructure ─  Energy, Transportation, Communication, Health and Education
(e) Inflation
(f) Budget and Fiscal deficits
(g) Balance of payments
(h) External debts.

7. Economic Reforms in India
(a) Features of economic reforms since 1991
(b) Liberalisation, Privatisation and Disinvestment
(c) Globalisation.

8. Money and Banking
(a) Money – Meaning and functions
(b) Commercial Banks – Role and functions
(c) Reserve Bank of India – Role and functions, Monetary policy.