INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

GS Economy Economic Concepts
Q.

Consider the following statements: 

1. It issues currency of the country. 

2. It controls money supply of the country.

3. It acts as a banker to the government. 

4. It acts as a bank to the banking system.

5. It is the lender of last resort.

Which of the statements given above correctly define the functions of ‘Reserve Bank of India’? 

Explanation:

ANSWER: (D)

Central bank

  • India got its central bank in 1935. Its name is the ‘Reserve Bank of India’. 
  • Central bank has several important functions. 
  • It issues the currency of the country. 
  • It controls money supply of the country through various methods, like bank rate, open market operations and variations in reserve ratios. 
  • It acts as a banker to the government. 
  • It is the custodian of the foreign exchange reserves of the economy.
  • It also acts as a bank to the banking system.
  • When commercial banks need more funds in order to be able to create more credit, they may go to market for such funds or go to the Central Bank. 
  • Central bank provides them funds through various instruments. This role of RBI, that of being ready to lend to banks at all times is another important function of the central bank, and due to this central bank is said to be the lender of last resort.

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