Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves – NCERT Class 11 Accountancy Financial Accounting Part I, Chapter 7 – Concepts, Methods, and Practice
Complete coverage of the meaning, causes, significance, and methods of depreciation (straight line and written down value), distinction from amortisation and depletion; detailed exploration of provisions and reserves, types, accounting treatment, and differences with solved illustrations.
Tags: Depreciation, Provisions, Reserves, Amortisation, Depletion, Straight Line Method, Written Down Value, AS-6, Provision for Doubtful Debts, Types of Reserves, Revenue Reserve, Capital Reserve, Secret Reserve, Journal Entries, Practice Questions, NCERT Class 11, Accountancy, Chapter 7
Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves - Class 11 NCERT Chapter 7 - Ultimate Study Guide, Notes, Questions, Quiz 2025
Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves
Chapter 7: Accountancy - Ultimate Study Guide | NCERT Class 11 Notes, Questions, Examples & Quiz 2025
Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves Class 11 NCERT
Overview & Key Concepts
Chapter Goal: Understand depreciation (meaning, causes, need, factors, methods), provisions, reserves. Exam Focus: SLM/WDV calculations, distinction provisions/reserves, journal entries. 2025 Updates: Emphasis on AS-6, tax implications. Fun Fact: Depreciation ensures matching principle from matching costs to revenues. Core Idea: Allocate asset cost over useful life. Real-World: Business asset valuation, profit ascertainment. Ties: To Chapter 6 (Fixed Assets). Expanded: Causes detailed, methods formulas, provisions types, reserves secret/general. Global: ICAI standards. Ethical: Prudent charging for true profits.
Extended: AS-6 defines as wearing out/consumption/loss from use/time/obsolescence.
7.1 Meaning of Depreciation
Decline in book value of fixed assets. Based on cost consumed, not market value.
ICMA: Diminution in intrinsic value due to use/lapse of time.
AS-6: Measure of wearing out, allocated over useful life.
Simple Example: How Depreciation Works
In simple terms, depreciation spreads asset cost over years. Here's a table for a machine bought for ₹50,000 on April 1, 2025, useful life 5 years, scrap ₹5,000:
Year
Cost
Scrap
Depreciable Cost
Annual Dep (SLM)
Initial
₹50,000
₹5,000
₹45,000
-
Year 1
-
-
-
₹9,000
Year 5
-
-
-
₹9,000 (Total ₹45,000)
This ensures only used portion charged yearly.
7.1.2 Features of Depreciation
Decline in book value; due to time/use/obsolescence; continuing process; non-cash expense; charged before tax.
Simple Example: Profit before dep ₹50,000, dep ₹10,000 → Profit before tax ₹40,000.
Analysis Table for Depreciation Impact (Simple Machine Example)
Year
Book Value Start
Dep Charged
Book Value End
Profit Before Dep
Profit After Dep
2025
₹1,00,000
₹10,000
₹90,000
₹50,000
₹40,000
2026
₹90,000
₹10,000
₹80,000
₹50,000
₹40,000
Shows gradual reduction; true profit reflected.
7.2 Depreciation and Similar Terms
Depletion: For natural resources (e.g., mine extraction).
Amortisation: For intangibles (e.g., patent ₹10,000/10 years = ₹1,000/year).
7.3 Causes of Depreciation
Wear & Tear: Use/time (e.g., machine usage).
Expiration of Legal Rights: Patents expire.
Obsolescence: New tech (e.g., old machine outdated).
Tip: Link causes to methods; provisions vs reserves. Depth: AS-6. Errors: Market value? Book. Historical: Conservatism. Interlinks: Fixed assets. Advanced: Change method. Real-Life: Tax dep. Graphs: Dep tables. Coherent: Prudent allocation.
60 Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 11)
Part A (1 mark short), B (4 marks medium), C (8 marks long). Based on NCERT, exercises. Answer lengths: 1 mark ~1 line point, 4 marks ~4 points, 8 marks ~8 points/step-wise numericals.
Part A: 1 Mark Questions (20 Qs)
1. Define depreciation.
1 Mark Answer: • Decline in book value of fixed assets due to use/time/obsolescence.
2. What is depreciable asset?
1 Mark Answer: • Fixed asset used >1 period with limited life.
3. State one feature of depreciation.
1 Mark Answer: • It is a non-cash expense.
4. Name a cause of depreciation.
1 Mark Answer: • Wear and tear due to use.
5. What is depletion?
1 Mark Answer: • Decline in natural resources like mines.
6. Define amortisation.
1 Mark Answer: • Write-off of intangible assets.
7. One need for depreciation?
1 Mark Answer: • Matching costs with revenue.
8. What is salvage value?
1 Mark Answer: • Estimated scrap at end of life.
9. SLM formula key part?
1 Mark Answer: • (Cost - Scrap)/Life.
10. WDV method feature?
1 Mark Answer: • Dep on reducing balance.
11. Define provision.
1 Mark Answer: • Charge against profit for liability.
12. What is reserve?
1 Mark Answer: • Appropriation of profit for future.
13. Secret reserve?
1 Mark Answer: • Hidden by undervaluation.
14. Obsolescence cause?
1 Mark Answer: • Technological changes.
15. Depreciable cost?
1 Mark Answer: • Cost minus residual value.
16. AS-6 relates to?
1 Mark Answer: • Depreciation accounting.
17. One factor affecting dep?
1 Mark Answer: • Estimated useful life.
18. Abnormal factor example?
1 Mark Answer: • Accident/fire.
19. Provision vs reserve difference?
1 Mark Answer: • Provision charged to P&L; reserve from profit.
20. Matching principle?
1 Mark Answer: • Revenue matched with expenses.
Part B: 4 Marks Questions (20 Qs)
1. Explain meaning of depreciation with AS-6.
4 Marks Answer:
• Permanent gradual shrinkage in book value.
• AS-6: Wearing out/consumption/loss from use/time/obsolescence.
• Allocated fair proportion over useful life.
• Includes amortisation of pre-determined life assets.
2. State four features of depreciation.
4 Marks Answer:
• Decline in book value of fixed assets.
• Due to effluxion of time/use/obsolescence.
• Continuing process over life.
• Non-cash expense, charged before tax.
3. Distinguish depletion and amortisation.
4 Marks Answer:
• Depletion: For natural resources exhaustion (e.g., mine ₹10,000 decline).
• Amortisation: For intangibles write-off (e.g., patent ₹1,000/year).
• Both similar accounting treatment as expiry of usefulness.
• Ex: Provision for tax ₹20K; specific reserve ₹10K.
• Purposes: Provisions prudence; reserves growth.
• Accounting: Provisions Dr. P&L; reserves Cr. P&L appropriation.
• Balance sheet impact.
• Legal: Reserves distributable.
9. Journal entry for depreciation and sale.
8 Marks Answer:
• Dep Charge: Depreciation A/c Dr. ₹9,000 To Machine A/c ₹9,000.
• P&L: P&L A/c Dr. ₹9,000 To Dep A/c ₹9,000.
• Sale: If sold ₹80K, book ₹73K: Bank A/c Dr. ₹80K; Machine A/c Dr. ₹1,00,000; To P&L A/c ₹7K profit; To Bank ₹80K? Wait, correct: Bank Dr. ₹80K, Provision/Machine adjustment.
Step-wise: 1. Transfer accum dep. 2. Remove asset cost. 3. Record sale. 4. Profit/loss to P&L.
• Ex: Full entry for sale above scrap.
• Ensures matching.
• Tax implications.
• AS-6 disposal.
10. Change in useful life example calculation.
8 Marks Answer (Step-wise Numerical):
Asset ₹1,00,000, scrap ₹10,000, original life 10 yrs, SLM ₹9,000/yr.
After 3 yrs: Accum dep ₹27,000, book ₹73,000.
Revised life 7 more yrs (total 10).
Step 1: New depreciable = ₹73,000 - ₹10,000 = ₹63,000.
Step 2: Revised annual = ₹63,000 / 7 = ₹9,000 (same, but if changed to 5 yrs: ₹12,600/yr).
Prospective: From revision date.
No retrospective.
AS-6 allows if justified.
Impact: Higher charge if shorter life.
11. Explain secret reserves nature/purpose.
8 Marks Answer:
• Nature: Not apparent; by over dep/under value assets.