Skip to content
GK24
Indian EconomyMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GK

Which one of the following taxes is not included in the Central Pool to be shared with the States according to the recommendations of Finance Commission of India?

  1. A.Personal Income Tax
  2. B.Corporate Profit Tax
  3. C.Surcharge and Cess
  4. D.Excise Duties

Correct answer

C. Surcharge and Cess

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Surcharge and Cess. Under Article 270 of the Constitution, the taxes levied and collected by the Union, such as income tax, corporation tax, Union excise duties and the central GST, form a divisible pool that is shared with the States on the recommendation of the Finance Commission. The Constitution itself keeps cesses and surcharges out of this pool, so the Centre keeps their whole proceeds. Article 271 allows Parliament to levy surcharges on certain taxes for the purposes of the Union. This is why the Centre's growing reliance on cesses and surcharges is a frequent point of debate in Centre-State finance. Option A is wrong because personal income tax is a core part of the shared pool. Option B is wrong because corporation tax has been part of the divisible pool since the 80th Amendment of 2000. Option D is wrong because Union excise duties are also shared with the States. Exam tip: divisible pool, Article 270; surcharge, Article 271; cess and surcharge are never shared with the States.

View all
Q2.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKHard

Consider the following statements about impact of tax : 1. A tax is shifted forward to consumers if the demand is inelastic relative to supply. 2. A tax is shifted backward to producers if the supply is relatively more inelastic than demand. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

The burden of a tax falls more heavily on whichever side of the market is less elastic, the side that cannot easily walk away.

Q5.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKHard

Why was constitutional amendment needed for introducing GST?

  1. A.States were not willing to agree with the Union for introduction of GST without amendment in the Constitution.
  2. B.GST was to be implemented on concurrent base and Article 246 was inadequate for such a case.
  3. C.The Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers had recommended for constitutional amendment.
  4. D.The GST Council had recommended for constitutional amendment so that its power enhances.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. GST was to be implemented on concurrent base and Article 246 was inadequate for such a case.

GST is levied by the Union and the States together on the same supply, and Article 246, which splits taxing powers between them through separate lists, did not allow such a concurrent tax.