PFMS MCQ for JKSSB Accounts Assistant (With Answers & Notes)
Exam strategy · 2026-09-30 · 5 min read
The Public Financial Management System (PFMS) is listed by name in the JKSSB Finance Accounts Assistant syllabus and has appeared in the actual paper — including the simple 'PFMS was earlier known as…' type. Commerce graduates often skip it because no textbook covers it, which makes it easy marks others lose.
What PFMS is
A web-based financial management application run by the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), under the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance. It began in 2008–09 as the Central Plan Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS) and was later expanded and renamed PFMS.
What it does
Its purpose is visibility of government funds — from release by a ministry, through treasuries and implementing agencies, to the last-mile beneficiary:
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): beneficiary accounts are validated with banks (Aadhaar-based payments via the NPCI mapper) before money is credited
- EAT module (Expenditure, Advance & Transfer): agencies record how they spend scheme funds
Key terms
- Maker-checker: a Data Operator prepares a payment and a Data Approver authorises it, usually with a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- SNA (Single Nodal Agency, 2021): each state/UT routes a Centrally Sponsored Scheme's funds through one nodal account, so unspent balances are visible
- CNA (Central Nodal Agency): the similar model for Central Sector Schemes
- TSA (Treasury Single Account): enables 'just-in-time' releases — funds leave the Consolidated Fund only when needed
How to prepare
Learn the recall points above, then practise PFMS alongside Government Accounting & Budgeting and Public Finance — JKSSB often asks about them together.
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Practice questions
Q1. PFMS was earlier known as:
- CPSMS
- IFMS
- GFR
- e-Kuber
Show answer
CPSMS — PFMS began as the Central Plan Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS). e-Kuber is RBI's core banking system; GFR is the General Financial Rules.
Q2. PFMS is administered by:
- Reserve Bank of India
- Comptroller and Auditor General
- Controller General of Accounts
- NITI Aayog
Show answer
Controller General of Accounts — The Office of the Controller General of Accounts (Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance) runs PFMS. The CAG is the auditor, not the system owner.
Q3. In PFMS, what does the EAT module stand for?
- Expenditure, Advance & Transfer
- Electronic Accounts Tracking
- Expenditure Audit Tool
- E-payment Authorisation & Transfer
Show answer
Expenditure, Advance & Transfer — EAT = Expenditure, Advance & Transfer, used by implementing agencies to record how scheme funds are spent.
Q4. In the PFMS payment workflow, who authorises a transaction prepared by the Data Operator?
- Drawing officer
- Data Approver
- Treasury officer
- Auditor
Show answer
Data Approver — PFMS follows maker-checker: the Data Operator creates, the Data Approver approves (usually with a DSC).
Q5. Under the SNA model for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, a state routes each scheme's funds through:
- Multiple district-level accounts
- One designated Single Nodal Agency account
- The RBI directly
- The Public Account of India
Show answer
One designated Single Nodal Agency account — SNA = Single Nodal Agency: one nodal account per scheme per state/UT, for visibility of unspent balances.