Quick formula and distinction sheet
Concept | Quick rule | Exam caution |
Percentage change | (new − old) ÷ old × 100 | State the denominator and period. |
Real vs nominal | Nominal values use current prices; real values use the stated constant-price method. | Do not mix series or bases. |
Per-capita measure | Aggregate ÷ relevant population estimate | An average; not a median or distribution. |
Fiscal deficit (simplified) | Total expenditure − revenue receipts − non-debt capital receipts | Check exact account scope and financing. |
Revenue deficit | Revenue expenditure − revenue receipts | Needs revenue expenditure data. |
Primary deficit | Fiscal deficit − interest payments | Use matching period and definitions. |
Unemployment rate | Unemployed ÷ labour force × 100 | Not unemployed ÷ total population. |
Tax buoyancy | Growth in tax revenue ÷ growth in nominal GDP | Interpret with rates, exemptions and composition. |
Exchange conversion | Foreign-currency amount × exchange rate | Specify rupees per unit of foreign currency. |
CPI inflation | (current index − comparison index) ÷ comparison index × 100 | Rate change is not the same as a change in the rate of inflation. |
Expenditure-side GDP | C + I + G + (X − M) | Imports are removed to measure domestic production. |
Simple interest | Principal × annual rate × time | Use only when the question gives simple interest and matching units. |
Net services | Service exports − service imports | A surplus is a credit on this component, not the whole current account. |
Tax incidence | Legal remitter can differ from final economic bearer. | Market response and elasticity affect who bears the burden. |
Budget stages | BE = coming-year estimate; RE = revised current-year estimate; actual = recorded outcome. | Not interchangeable. |
Stock vs flow | Stock measured at a date; flow over a period. | Debt/GDP combines a stock with an annual flow. |
GDP vs welfare | GDP tracks domestic production. | Pair it with distribution, work and capability indicators. |