Corporate Governance and Transparency in Financial Markets
Corporate governance ensures companies are run ethically and accountably, with transparency (disclosure of relevant information) being vital for investor tru...
SEBI has proposed to limit the disclosure of senior executive salaries in Asset Management Companies (AMCs) by moving from individual-level to group-level disclosure. The proposal also suggests making fund manager remuneration available only on request, citing feedback from the mutual fund industry about limited investor interest, privacy concerns, and the distinction between unitholders and shareholders. This move aims to reduce the current level of transparency in salary disclosures.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Corporate governance ensures companies are run ethically and accountably, with transparency (disclosure of relevant information) being vital for investor tru...
SEBI is India's statutory capital market regulator, established in 1992, focused on investor protection, market development, and regulating market intermedia...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
Consider the following statements:
I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally thus exhibiting a great boom.
II. India’s stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past even overtaking Hong Kong’s at some point of time.
III. There is no regulatory body either to warn the small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
India has seen a massive rise in equity options trading and stock market capitalization, but investor protection is actively overseen by SEBI. ✅ Statement I: Correct India leads globally in equity options trading volume, reflecting a major boom in the derivatives market. ✅ Statement II: Correct In early 2024, India's stock market temporarily overtook Hong Kong’s, becoming the 4th largest by market cap. ❌ Statement III: Incorrect India has a regulatory body—SEBI—which issues warnings and acts against unregistered advisors.
With reference to the Indian economy, "Collateral Borrowing and Lending Obligations" are the instruments of :
* Collateral Borrowing and Lending Obligations (CBLO) are instruments of the: C. Money market * CBLO is a money market instrument that facilitates borrowing and lending operations on a collateralized basis. It is used by banks, financial institutions, and other entities to manage their short-term liquidity requirements.
With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements :
1. A share of the household financial savings goes towards government borrowings.
2. Dated securities issued at market-related rates in auctions form a large component of internal debt;
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct: A portion of household financial savings in India does indeed go towards government borrowings. The government raises funds through various debt instruments like bonds and treasury bills. When households save money, they might invest it in these government debt instruments through banks or other financial institutions. This provides a source of funding for the government while offering a return to the investors (savers). Statement 2 is correct: Dated securities are a major component of India's internal debt. These are essentially government bonds issued at market-determined interest rates through auctions. Investors, including households, banks, and financial institutions, can participate in these auctions and purchase dated securities. Hence, both statements are correct.
With reference to investments, consider the following:
I. Bonds
II. Hedge Funds
III. Stocks
IV. Venture Capital
How many of the above are treated as Alternative Investment Funds?
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are privately pooled investment vehicles that invest in assets beyond traditional options like stocks and bonds. In India, SEBI classifies AIFs into three categories, including hedge funds and venture capital funds. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect
* Bonds are traditional debt instruments and not classified as AIFs. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* Hedge Funds fall under Category III AIFs as per SEBI regulations. ❌ Statement III: Incorrect
* Stocks are conventional equity investments, not treated as AIFs. ✅ Statement IV: Correct
* Venture Capital is a form of Category I AIF in India.
Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly?
Participatory Note (P-Note): This is a financial instrument issued by registered foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to overseas investors. It allows overseas investors to participate in the Indian stock market indirectly without directly registering with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The FPI holds the underlying Indian securities, and the P-Note represents ownership for the overseas investor. The other options are not used for this purpose: Certificate of Deposit (CD): Issued by banks to raise short-term funds, not related to stock markets. Commercial Paper (CP): Short-term debt instrument issued by companies, not related to foreign investment in stocks. Promissory Note: A written promise to repay a debt, not used in this context of stock market participation.
Consider the following:
1. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF)
2. Motor vehicles
3. Currency swap
Which of the above is/are considered financial instruments?
* Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are baskets of securities (like stocks) that are traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. They represent a financial instrument. * Motor vehicles: Motor vehicles are tangible assets, not financial instruments. Financial instruments represent claims to assets or cash flows. * Currency swap: A currency swap is a derivative contract where two parties exchange principal and interest payments in different currencies. It is a type of financial instrument. Therefore, only ETFs and currency swaps are considered financial instruments.
In India, which of the following can trade in Corporate Bonds and Government Securities?
1. Insurance Companies
2. Pension Funds
3. Retail Investors
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
* Insurance Companies: Insurance companies have large funds that they need to invest securely for long-term returns. Corporate bonds and government securities fit this investment profile. Hence, this statement is correct. * Pension Funds: Similar to insurance companies, pension funds manage retirement savings and need safe, long-term investment avenues like corporate bonds and government securities. Hence, this statement is correct. * Retail Investors: Retail investors can also invest in corporate bonds and government securities, though the process might be slightly more complex than investing in stocks. Various platforms and brokers facilitate such investments. Hence, this statement is correct. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Consider the following statements:
I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed companies in India to submit a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR).
II. In India, a company submitting a BRSR makes disclosures in the report that are largely non-financial in nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) is a disclosure framework introduced by SEBI to promote transparency in a company’s non-financial performance, particularly in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) areas. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect
* SEBI, not the RBI, mandates the submission of BRSR.
* It applies to the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* BRSR disclosures are mostly non-financial and focus on areas like environment, social responsibility, and governance.
The Chairman of public sector banks are selected by the
The Chairman of public sector banks in India are selected by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB). The Banks Board Bureau is an autonomous body responsible for selecting and appointing the Boards of Directors in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Financial Institutions. It was established based on the recommendations of the Nayak Committee Report (2014).
Consider the following statements:
1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages and services both Central (Government of India) and State Government securities. RBI acts as a debt manager for both levels of government under agreements with the states. Statement 2 is correct:
Treasury Bills (T-bills) are issued only by the Government of India, not by the State Governments. States instead issue State Development Loans (SDLs) for their borrowing needs. Statement 3 is correct:
Treasury Bills are zero-coupon instruments — they are issued at a discount to the par (face) value and redeemed at par on maturity. The difference represents the interest earned.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?
Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities.
Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved?
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.