Skip to content
Question

Q.The Debt-Equity Ratio of a company is 2 : 1. Which of the following transactions will increase the Debt-Equity Ratio ? (A) Issue of Shares ₹ 2,00,000 (B) Issue of 8% Debentures ₹ 5,00,000 (C) Issue of Bonus shares ₹ 4,00,000 (D) Payment to Creditors ₹ 1,00,000

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2026MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Option (B) — Issue of 8% Debentures ₹5,00,000 — will increase the Debt-Equity Ratio from 2:1.

Concept: Debt-Equity Ratio

The Debt-Equity Ratio measures the relationship between a company's external liabilities (debt) and shareholders' funds (equity):

Debt-Equity Ratio=Total Debt (External Liabilities)Shareholders’ Funds (Equity)\text{Debt-Equity Ratio} = \frac{\text{Total Debt (External Liabilities)}}{\text{Shareholders' Funds (Equity)}}

A ratio of 2:1 means for every ₹1 of equity, the company has ₹2 of debt.

To increase this ratio, we need a transaction that either:

  • Increases debt while keeping equity constant, or
  • Decreases equity while keeping debt constant, or
  • Increases debt proportionately more than equity increases.

Let us assume the company currently has Debt = ₹2,00,000 and Equity = ₹1,00,000 (giving the 2:1 ratio). We will test each option.


Analysis of Each Transaction

(A) Issue of Shares ₹2,00,000

Accounting Treatment:

When shares are issued, Bank/Cash A/c is debited and Share Capital A/c (part of equity) is credited.

Effect:

  • Debt remains ₹2,00,000
  • Equity increases to ₹1,00,000 + ₹2,00,000 = ₹3,00,000

New Ratio:

2,00,0003,00,000=23=0.67:1\frac{2,00,000}{3,00,000} = \frac{2}{3} = 0.67:1

The ratio decreases from 2:1 to 0.67:1.


(B) Issue of 8% Debentures ₹5,00,000

Accounting Treatment:

When debentures are issued, Bank/Cash A/c is debited and Debentures A/c (a long-term liability, part of debt) is credited.

Effect:

  • Debt increases to ₹2,00,000 + ₹5,00,000 = ₹7,00,000
  • Equity remains ₹1,00,000

New Ratio:

7,00,0001,00,000=7:1\frac{7,00,000}{1,00,000} = 7:1

The ratio increases from 2:1 to 7:1.

Tip

Any issue of debentures, bonds, or long-term loans increases debt without affecting equity, thereby raising the Debt-Equity Ratio.


(C) Issue of Bonus Shares ₹4,00,000

Accounting Treatment:

Bonus shares are issued by capitalising reserves. General Reserve/Profit & Loss A/c is debited and Share Capital A/c is credited. Both accounts are part of shareholders' funds (equity).

Effect:

  • Debt remains ₹2,00,000
  • Equity remains ₹1,00,000 (internal transfer within equity — reserves decrease, share capital increases by the same amount)

New Ratio:

2,00,0001,00,000=2:1\frac{2,00,000}{1,00,000} = 2:1

The ratio remains unchanged at 2:1.

Watch out

Bonus shares do NOT bring in fresh capital. They merely convert one component of equity (reserves) into another (share capital). Total equity is unaffected, so the Debt-Equity Ratio does not change.

--- …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.