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Q56 (IAS/2016) Economy › Economy Current Affairs › Banking sector reforms Official Key

With reference to Financial Stability and Development Council', consider the following statements : 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister. 3. It monitors macroprudential supervision of the economy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C (statements 2 and 3 only).

The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was set up by the Government of India as the apex-level forum in December 2010[2], making statement 1 incorrect – it is **not** an organ of NITI Aayog but an independent body established by the government.

The Chairperson of the FSDC is the Finance Minister of India[3], confirming that statement 2 is correct.

FSDC deals with issues relating to macroprudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates[4], which validates statement 3 as correct.

The Council's members include the heads of financial sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA), Chairperson of IBBI, Chief Economic Advisor and secretaries from relevant ministries[2], emphasizing its role as an inter-regulatory coordination body focused on financial stability rather than being part of NITI Aayog's structure. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/budget2016-2017/es2015-16/echapter-vol2.pdf
  2. [2] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
  3. [3] https://dea.gov.in/files/annual_reports_documents/Annual_Report_English.pdf
  4. [4] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
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got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to Financial Stability and Development Council', consider the following statements : 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. I…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'Institutional Architecture' question. The examiner tests your clarity on the parentage and leadership of major bodies. The trap in Statement 1 (linking FSDC to NITI Aayog) is a standard 'Wrong Parent' swap. If you know the Chairman is the Finance Minister, the link to NITI Aayog (chaired by PM) breaks immediately.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) an organ of NITI Aayog?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) under the chairmanship of union Finance Minister was set up by the government as the apex-level forum in December 2010."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states FSDC was set up by the Government of India as an apex-level forum.
  • Says FSDC is under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister, indicating it is part of the finance/government apparatus, not NITI Aayog.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Chairperson of the FSDC is the Finance Minister of India, and Members include Ministers of State for Finance, the heads of the financial sector regulators and Secretaries of the relevant Ministries/Departments of the Government of India."
Why this source?
  • Identifies the Finance Minister as the Chairperson of the FSDC.
  • Lists members as Ministers, heads of financial regulators and Secretaries of relevant Ministries — showing FSDC is a government/regulatory forum, not an organ of NITI Aayog.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"FSDC Secretariat provides secretarial assistance to Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC), which has Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance as the Secretary of the Council"
Why this source?
  • States the FSDC Secretariat is provided by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
  • Names the Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs as Secretary of the Council, reinforcing that FSDC is anchored in the Finance Ministry.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
Strength: 5/5
“With a view to strengthening and institutionalizing the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development, the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was set up by the Government of India as the apex level forum in December 2010. FSDC is not a statutory body and was set up through a gazette notification. The Chairman of the Council is the finance minister and its members include the heads of financial sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA), Chairperson of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), Chief Economic Advisor and secretaries from ministry of finance, ministry of Information Technology and ministry of Corporate Affairs.”
Why relevant

Describes FSDC as an apex forum set up by the Government (gazette notification), non-statutory, chaired by the Finance Minister with members from financial regulators and finance/IT/Corporate Affairs secretaries.

How to extend

A student could use this to note the FSDC's origin, leadership and membership and compare them with NITI Aayog's leadership/membership to see if FSDC is organised under NITI or is a separate executive forum.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > ESTABLISHMENT > p. 465
Strength: 4/5
“t ESTABLISHMENT On the 13th of August, 2014, the Modi Government scrapped the 65-year-old Planning Commission and announced that it would he replaced by a new body. Accordingly, on January 1, 2015, the NfTI Aayog (National Institution for Development Promotion in India) was established as the successor to the planning commission. However, it must be noted here that the NITI Aayog, like that of the Planning Commission, was also created by an executive resolution of the Government of India (Le., Union Cabinet). Hence, it is also neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body. In other words, it is a non-constitutional or extra-constitutional body (Le., not created by the Constitution) and a non-statutory body (not created by an Act of the Parliament).”
Why relevant

Explains NITI Aayog's establishment (executive resolution) and that it is a non-constitutional, non-statutory body, created as successor to the Planning Commission.

How to extend

One can combine this with FSDC's creation method to check whether FSDC was created as part of NITI (same resolution) or separately by a different notification.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > AUTONOMOUS AND ATTACHED BODIES > p. 470
Strength: 4/5
“t AUTONOMOUS AND ATTACHED BODIES The NITI Aayog is supported by a n autonomous body i.e., the National Institute of Labor Economics Research and Development, and an attached office i.e., the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Organisation. These are explained below: I. National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development The National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development (NI LERD) was formerly known as the Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR). It is a central autonomous organization under the NITI Aayog. Its primary objectives are research, data collection, education and training in all aspects of human capital planning, human resource development, and monitoring and evaluation.”
Why relevant

Lists that NITI Aayog has explicitly named an attached office and an autonomous body (NI LERD and DMEO), showing NITI's practice of formally listing its subordinate/attached organisations.

How to extend

A student could look for FSDC in similar lists (or absence from them) to infer whether FSDC is formally an organ/attached body of NITI Aayog.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > NITI AAYOG > p. 143
Strength: 3/5
“• National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was set up on 1 January 2015, replacing the 65-year-old Planning Commission. NITI Aayog seeks to provide a critical, directional and strategic input into the developmental process of the country.• Like the Planning Commission, it is a non-constitutional and non-statutory body. \bullet• It is a policy think tank established to provide strategic and technical advice to the Central Government.”
Why relevant

States NITI Aayog is a policy think-tank, non-statutory, that provides strategic/technical advice to the Central Government (describes its functional character).

How to extend

Using this, one could ask whether FSDC's described role (financial stability forum with regulator heads) fits within a typical advisory think-tank organ or is a separate inter-regulatory council, suggesting organisational independence.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > FUNCTIONS > p. 468
Strength: 3/5
“state-of-the-art resource centre, a repository of research on good governance and best practices, provides advice and encourages partnerships with key stakeholders, including colleges, universities, think tanks and non-governmental organizations at home and abroad.¹ The various functions performed by the NITI Aayog can be divided into four main heads: • 1. Policy and programme framework • 2. Co-operative and competitive federalism • 3. Monitoring and evaluation • 4. Think-tank, Knowledge and Innovation Hub The NITI Aayog is functionally divided into various verticals/cells, which are responsible for examining and looking into sectoral issues and priorities for national development and economic growth. The different verticals/cells of NITI Aayog provide the requisite co-ordination and support framework for NITI Aayog to carry out its mandate.”
Why relevant

Summarises NITI Aayog functions and internal structure (verticals/cells for sectoral issues), implying that bodies under NITI are organised as specific verticals, attached offices or autonomous bodies.

How to extend

A student could check whether FSDC is described as one of NITI's verticals/cells or attached bodies; absence would be evidence against FSDC being an organ of NITI.

Statement 2
Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) headed by the Union Finance Minister of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
Presence: 5/5
“With a view to strengthening and institutionalizing the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development, the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was set up by the Government of India as the apex level forum in December 2010. FSDC is not a statutory body and was set up through a gazette notification. The Chairman of the Council is the finance minister and its members include the heads of financial sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA), Chairperson of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), Chief Economic Advisor and secretaries from ministry of finance, ministry of Information Technology and ministry of Corporate Affairs.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Chairman of the Council is the finance minister.
  • Describes FSDC as the apex forum set up by the Government (context supports that 'finance minister' is the central head).
  • Lists membership (heads of regulators and senior officials) consistent with an apex council chaired by a Union minister.
Statement 3
Does the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) monitor macroprudential supervision of the Indian economy?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
Presence: 5/5
“The Council can also invite experts to its meeting if required. Without prejudice to the autonomy of regulators, FSDC shall deal with issues relating to: • Financial stability• Financial sector development• Inter-regulatory coordination• Financial literacy• Financial Inclusion• Macro prudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates• Coordinating India's international interface with financial sector bodies like Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Financial Stability Board (FSB), and any such body as may be decided by the finance minister from time to time• Any other matter relating to the financial sector stability and development referred to by a member/Chairperson and considered prudent by the Council/Chairperson”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists 'Macro prudential supervision of the economy' as an FSDC responsibility.
  • Mentions oversight of 'large financial conglomerates', which is a macroprudential concern.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 7: Money and Banking > MONETARY POLICY REPORT AND FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT > p. 173
Presence: 4/5
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes Monetary Policy Report (MPR) after every 6 months to explain the sources and forecasts of inflation for the coming period of 6-18 months. The RBI also publishes Financial Stability Report (FSR) biannually which reflects an assessment of the sub-committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on the risks to financial stability. (Before the examination, aspirants may benefit by reading the most recent MPR and FSR published by RBI.)”
Why this source?
  • States the RBI's Financial Stability Report reflects assessment of the FSDC sub-committee on risks to financial stability.
  • Implying FSDC (via its sub-committee) monitors systemic risks and thus contributes to macroprudential supervision.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves the 'Parent Body Swap' and 'Chairman Swap'. They will attribute a Ministry of Finance body to NITI Aayog or the PMO. Always verify the administrative control and chairmanship of major councils.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Covered in every standard Economy text (Vivek Singh, Singhania, Ramesh Singh) under 'Financial Regulators' or 'Banking'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Financial Regulatory Bodies & Inter-regulatory Coordination (Post-2008 Crisis Architecture).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Council Chairmen': GST Council (FM), Inter-State Council (PM), NDC (PM), Zonal Councils (Home Minister). Crucial distinction: FSDC is chaired by FM, but the FSDC Sub-Committee is chaired by the RBI Governor.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Create a 'Body-Chairman-Status' matrix. For every body (FSDC, GSTC, NITI), map: 1. Statutory/Executive? 2. PM vs FM vs HM? 3. Year of formation. The 'NITI Aayog' option was a chronology trap (FSDC came in 2010, NITI in 2015).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Statutory vs non-statutory / constitutional vs non-constitutional bodies
💡 The insight

References state FSDC is not a statutory body and NITI Aayog is non-constitutional and non-statutory, which is central to judging institutional relationships.

High-yield for UPSC governance questions: distinguishing how bodies are created (executive resolution, statute, or Constitution) determines powers, accountability and hierarchy. Helps answer questions on institutional design, oversight and legal status. Prepare by memorising examples (e.g., FSDC, NITI Aayog) and the implications of each status.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > ESTABLISHMENT > p. 465
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) an organ of NITI Aayog..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Mandate and composition of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
💡 The insight

Evidence describes FSDC as an apex-level forum set up by the Government, chaired by the finance minister with members from financial regulators — indicating its independent inter-regulatory role rather than being an organ of NITI Aayog.

Useful for GS3 and governance: questions often ask about regulatory architecture, inter-regulatory coordination and institutional roles. Knowing FSDC's purpose and membership helps distinguish it from planning/advisory bodies. Learn by noting mandate, membership and creation mode.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) an organ of NITI Aayog..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Nature, functions and governing structure of NITI Aayog
💡 The insight

References describe NITI Aayog as an advisory think-tank with a Governing Council of chief ministers and as non-statutory — relevant to whether other bodies (like FSDC) fall under it.

Frequently tested: differences between Planning Commission and NITI Aayog, their powers and roles in federal governance. Mastering this helps answer questions on cooperative federalism, policy advisory mechanisms and institutional change. Study by comparing functions, composition and examples of attached/autonomous bodies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > FUNCTIONS > p. 468
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > NITI AAYOG > p. 143
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > ESTABLISHMENT > p. 465
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) an organ of NITI Aayog..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 FSDC: status, origin and composition
💡 The insight

Reference [1] identifies FSDC's origin (Dec 2010), non‑statutory status, role as apex financial forum, and its member composition.

Understanding the institutional architecture of FSDC is high‑yield for Economy/Governance topics—questions often ask about bodies' statutory status, origin, and membership. It connects to regulation (RBI, SEBI, IRDA, IBBI) and helps answer comparative questions on financial oversight. Study strategy: memorise origin, statutory status, chair and typical members; relate to other financial institutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) headed by the Union Fi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Union Finance Minister chairs major financial councils (FSDC, GST Council)
💡 The insight

Reference [1] shows the finance minister chairs FSDC; reference [2] shows the Union Finance Minister chairs the GST Council—indicating a recurring role.

Knowing which central minister chairs key economic councils is frequently tested in prelims and useful in mains answers on governance and fiscal federalism. It links institutional roles across economic governance (e.g., councils vs commissions). Preparation: compile a short table of major councils and their chairpersons (FSDC, GST Council, etc.) and revise regularly.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 47: Goods and Services Tax Council > COMPOSITION > p. 434
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) headed by the Union Fi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Macroprudential supervision
💡 The insight

The statement asks about FSDC's role; reference [1] explicitly names macroprudential supervision as an FSDC function.

High-yield for UPSC questions on financial regulation and stability. Understanding this concept helps answer questions about systemic risk, regulation of conglomerates, and the difference between micro- and macroprudential policies. Prepare by mapping stated institutional responsibilities (like FSDC) to these policy objectives and practising application-style questions on systemic risk management.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > 3.4 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) > p. 133
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) monitor macroprudent..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Financial Stability Report (FSR) & FSDC sub-committee
💡 The insight

Reference [2] links the biannual FSR to assessments made by the FSDC sub-committee on financial stability risks.

Useful for questions on monitoring mechanisms and accountability: shows how institutional assessments are produced and disseminated. Master by reviewing the role and frequency of such reports, and how they reflect inter-agency assessments; this enables answering questions on institutional coordination and evidence-based policy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 7: Money and Banking > MONETARY POLICY REPORT AND FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT > p. 173
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) monitor macroprudent..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The FSDC Sub-Committee is chaired by the RBI Governor, not the Finance Minister. This is the specific nuance where the next trap lies. Also, the Chairperson of the IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board) was added as a member later.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Chronological Common Sense'. FSDC was set up in 2010 (Raghuram Rajan Committee recommendation era). NITI Aayog was born in 2015. An older body cannot be an 'organ' of a younger body unless explicitly restructured (which wasn't the case). Eliminate Statement 1.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Indian Economy): FSDC is India's institutional response to the Global Financial Crisis (2008) to manage 'Systemic Risk'. It represents the bridge between Fiscal Authority (Govt) and Monetary Authority (RBI) to ensure compliance with global Basel III norms.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2017 · Q55 Relevance score: 2.32

With reference to 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. It has a corpus of ₹ 4,00,000 crore at present. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2013 · Q94 Relevance score: 2.11

Consider the following statements : 1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission. 2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India. 3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2024 · Q85 Relevance score: 0.68

With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements : 1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament. 2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CAPF · 2025 · Q22 Relevance score: 0.15

Which one among the following statements is not correct? (a) The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was set up in 2010. (b) The National Logistics Policy (NLP) was launched in 2022. (c) The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) was instituted in NABARD during 1995-96. (d) The G20 was formed in 2001 as a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

CDS-I · 2025 · Q85 Relevance score: 0.11

Which of the following statements about the NITI Aayog is/are correct ? 1. Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of its Governing Council. 2. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh is a member of its Governing Council. Select the answer using the code given below :