Question 1

Which committee's recommendations led to the separation of the Railway Budget from the General Budget in 1924?

Accepted Answer

Acworth Committee. The Acworth Committee recommended the separation of railway finances in 1921. This led to the first separate Railway Budget in 1924. The committee was headed by British economist William Acworth.

Question 2

In which year was the Railway Budget merged back into the Union Budget of India?

Accepted Answer

2017. The Union Cabinet decided to merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget on September 21, 2016. The first merged budget was presented in February 2017. This ended a 92-year-old tradition of separate budgets.

Question 3

Who holds the record for presenting the most number of Railway Budgets in India?

Accepted Answer

Jagjivan Ram. Jagjivan Ram presented the Railway Budget seven times during his tenure. He served as the Railway Minister for two different periods. This remains one of the longest cumulative durations for a minister in this portfolio.

Question 4

Who was the first woman to present the Railway Budget in the Indian Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Mamata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee became the first female Railway Minister to present the budget in 2000. She has presented the Railway Budget for two different governments. She also holds the distinction of being the first woman to represent two different states in the cabinet.

Question 5

Which committee suggested the merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget in 2016?

Accepted Answer

Bibek Debroy Committee. The Bibek Debroy Committee recommendation was the primary basis for the budget merger. It argued that a separate budget was no longer necessary for the Railways' functioning. The committee focused on the structural transformation of the Indian Railways.

Railway Budget — Set 1