Score:
6.5/10
Analyze what earned this score 🔥
Topper’s Copy
GS3
Economy
10 marks
The Sixteenth Finance Commission has introduced “Contribution to GDP” as a new criterion for horizontal devolution of taxes.
Explain the rationale behind this inclusion and discuss how the Commission attempted to balance efficiency with equity.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Rationale behind inclusion of "Contribution to GDP" as new criterion
- How the Commission balanced efficiency with equity through this and other measures
What you wrote:
The rationale behind introducing 'Contribution to GDP' as a criterion for horizontal devolution by the Sixteenth Finance Commission lies in addressing the equity-efficiency trade-off in fiscal federalism. States with higher Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contribute significantly to national income, tax revenues, employment generation and inter-state economic linkages and therefore merit recognition in resource distribution.
The rationale behind introducing 'Contribution to GDP' as a criterion for horizontal devolution by the Sixteenth Finance Commission lies in addressing the equity-efficiency trade-off in fiscal federalism. States with higher Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contribute significantly to national income, tax revenues, employment generation and inter-state economic linkages and therefore merit recognition in resource distribution.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen with specific context (e.g., "The 16th Finance Commission, constituted in 2023 under NK Singh's chairmanship, introduced this criterion responding to demands from high-contributing states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for greater recognition of their economic contributions")
What you wrote:
The criterion promotes efficiency by rewarding growth-oriented states and incentivising better economic governance, productivity enhancement and investment-friendly policies. It discourages fiscal complacency and aligns transfers with economic performance.
The criterion promotes efficiency by rewarding growth-oriented states and incentivising better economic governance, productivity enhancement and investment-friendly policies. It discourages fiscal complacency and aligns transfers with economic performance.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could explain historical context (e.g., "Previous Finance Commissions relied heavily on population and area, leading to complaints from states like Gujarat and Karnataka that their economic contributions weren't adequately recognized")
- Could add specific policy incentives (e.g., "States investing in infrastructure, ease of doing business reforms, and industrial promotion would see higher GSDP growth, directly translating to increased transfers")
What you wrote:
At the same time, to prevent skewed transfers in favour of richer states the Commission introduced square-root moderation of GSDP, which reduces the dominance of large economies while retaining the incentive effect. Further, redistributive parameters such as income distance, population and area were retained to protect equity and ensure adequate fiscal support for poorer and less developed states.
At the same time, to prevent skewed transfers in favour of richer states the Commission introduced square-root moderation of GSDP, which reduces the dominance of large economies while retaining the incentive effect. Further, redistributive parameters such as income distance, population and area were retained to protect equity and ensure adequate fiscal support for poorer and less developed states.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could specify the balancing mechanism (e.g., "The Commission assigned 15% weight to GSDP contribution while maintaining 45% for population and 15% for income distance, ensuring redistributive goals aren't compromised")
- Could mention additional equity measures (e.g., "Special provisions for northeastern states and disaster-prone regions were retained to address unique developmental challenges")
What you wrote:
Thus, the Commission balanced efficiency with equity while strengthening cooperative federalism. This approach ensures that fiscal transfers remain growth-sensitive without undermining the redistributive role of the Finance Commission.
Thus, the Commission balanced efficiency with equity while strengthening cooperative federalism. This approach ensures that fiscal transfers remain growth-sensitive without undermining the redistributive role of the Finance Commission.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen with forward-looking perspective (e.g., "This balanced framework could serve as a model for future Finance Commissions, promoting competitive federalism while ensuring no state is left behind in India's growth trajectory")
Your answer demonstrates solid conceptual understanding of the efficiency-equity balance and the square-root moderation mechanism. However, it could benefit from more specific contextual details about why this criterion was introduced and concrete examples of the balancing mechanisms used.
Demand of the Question
- Rationale behind inclusion of "Contribution to GDP" as new criterion
- How the Commission balanced efficiency with equity through this and other measures
What you wrote:
The rationale behind introducing 'Contribution to GDP' as a criterion for horizontal devolution by the Sixteenth Finance Commission lies in addressing the equity-efficiency trade-off in fiscal federalism. States with higher Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contribute significantly to national income, tax revenues, employment generation and inter-state economic linkages and therefore merit recognition in resource distribution.
The rationale behind introducing 'Contribution to GDP' as a criterion for horizontal devolution by the Sixteenth Finance Commission lies in addressing the equity-efficiency trade-off in fiscal federalism. States with higher Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contribute significantly to national income, tax revenues, employment generation and inter-state economic linkages and therefore merit recognition in resource distribution.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen with specific context (e.g., "The 16th Finance Commission, constituted in 2023 under NK Singh's chairmanship, introduced this criterion responding to demands from high-contributing states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for greater recognition of their economic contributions")
More Challenges
View All- View Challenge
GS3
Internal Security
16 Jun, 2026
"Recent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan highlight the challenges of governance, political representation, and resource distribution in Pakistan-administered regions of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir." Discuss. Also examine the strategic significance of these developments for India.
- View Challenge
GS2
SOCIAL_ISSUES_AND_SCHEMES
Yesterday
"Despite constitutional guarantees and statutory protections, disability welfare in India continues to suffer from fragmented implementation and inadequate social security coverage."
In this context, examine the need for a Uniform Nationwide Disability Pension System in India. Discuss the constitutional basis, socio-economic rationale, key challenges, and suggest measures for effective implementation. - View Challenge
GS1
Art & Culture
14 Jun, 2026
What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag? Explain how GI-tagged products such as Tezpur Litchi contribute to rural development, branding, and export promotion in India.
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.
Download the App
STUDY RESOURCES
CONTACT US
ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited