UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Budget ignores unemployment, social security: trade unions

Q1. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which has been designated as the implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), is a statutory body constituted under which one of the following enactments?

  • A. The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948
  • B. The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
  • C. The Code on Social Security, 2020
  • D. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946

Q2. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) as compared to its predecessor employment-linked incentive schemes, consider the following statements: 1. The benefits of PM-VBRY are applicable to jobs created during the window 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027. 2. Under PM-VBRY, the employer-side incentive is paid for two years in general but is extended to four years in the manufacturing sector. 3. Under PM-VBRY, the first-time employee incentive is restricted to newly EPFO-registered employees earning up to ₹50,000 per annum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The benefits of PM-VBRY are applicable to jobs created during the window 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027.
  2. Under PM-VBRY, the employer-side incentive is paid for two years in general but is extended to four years in the manufacturing sector.
  3. Under PM-VBRY, the first-time employee incentive is restricted to newly EPFO-registered employees earning up to ₹50,000 per annum.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following is the implementing agency designated under the Ministry of Labour & Employment for operationalising the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)?

  • A. Directorate General of Employment (DGE)
  • B. Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
  • C. National Career Service (NCS)
  • D. Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

Q4. Under Part A of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), the term 'first-time employee' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Any worker registered on the e-Shram portal for the first time, regardless of EPF coverage or wage
  • B. A newly EPFO-registered employee earning up to ₹1 lakh per annum, eligible for one month's EPF wage up to ₹15,000 in two instalments
  • C. A platform or gig worker newly registered under the Code on Social Security, 2020, earning up to ₹15,000 per month
  • D. Any employee in the manufacturing sector hired afresh, irrespective of prior EPFO membership, drawing wages up to ₹25,000 per month

Q5. Which one of the following is the flagship Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme highlighted in Union Budget 2026-27 with the largest single allocation within the Labour Ministry envelope and a total scheme outlay of ₹99,446 crore?

  • A. Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)
  • B. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY)
  • C. Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)
  • D. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)