Assertion (A): Defence expenditure is described as committed expenditure.
Reason (R): Defence services are one of the main items of non-plan expenditure.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): Defence expenditure is described as committed expenditure. — True. Given the national security concerns, there is little scope for a drastic cut in it.
Reason (R): Defence services are one of the main items of non-plan expenditure. — True. The main items of non-plan expenditure are interest payments, defence services, subsidies, salaries and pensions.
Why R does not explain A?
R only tells us where defence is shown in the budget. It does not say why this spending cannot be cut. The real explanation of A: national security concerns leave little scope for drastic reduction in defence spending.
NCERT (2026-27): “Revenue Expenditure … The main items of non-plan expenditure are interest payments, defence services, subsidies, salaries and pensions. Interest payments on market loans, external loans and from various reserve funds constitute the single largest component of non-plan revenue expenditure. Defence expenditure, is committed expenditure in the sense that given the national security concerns, there exists little scope for drastic reduction. Subsidies are an important policy instrument which aim at increasing welfare. …” |