OPSC OAS 2022 PrelimsPolityQuestion 16
Solved previous year question from the OPSC OAS/OCS 2022 Preliminary Examination (General Studies), with the official answer key and a detailed explanation.
Question
The final six months of the Election cycle, when the government announces popular government initiatives is known as –
Tap an option to check your answer.
Show answer & explanation
Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: (C) Red Zone
The election cycle is broadly divided into different zones based on the proximity to elections and government behaviour:
| Zone | Period | Government Behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Green Zone | Early period of the term | Government focuses on difficult reforms, fiscal consolidation, and long-term policy decisions |
| Yellow Zone | Middle period of the term | Balanced approach — mix of reform and populist measures |
| Red Zone | Final six months before election | Government announces popular schemes, subsidies, loan waivers, and welfare initiatives to maximise voter appeal |
The Red Zone phenomenon is significant in Indian political economy because:
- It leads to increased fiscal expenditure just before elections
- Governments announce loan waivers, free schemes, and populist budgets
- It contributes to the concept of the Political Business Cycle — where economic policy is influenced by electoral considerations
- The Election Commission of India enforces the Model Code of Conduct to check excessive populism during this period
