UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s growth claims, a clash with data reality

Q1. Which one of the following is the apex standing advisory committee that advises the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on the inclusion of new data sources and the methodology for the new base-year (2022-23) series of National Accounts?

  • A. Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS)
  • B. National Statistical Commission (NSC)
  • C. Central Statistics Office (CSO)
  • D. National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)

Q2. With respect to the new base-year (2022-23) series of National Accounts, consider the following data sources: 1. Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 3. Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns 4. Census of India 2021 population enumeration Which of the above is/are correctly identified as data sources newly leveraged in the 2022-23 series to better capture the informal/household sector?

  1. Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE)
  2. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
  3. Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns
  4. Census of India 2021 population enumeration
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements about the new 2022-23 base-year series of National Accounts: 1. The base year has been shifted from 2011-12 to 2022-23. 2. There is greater reliance on direct estimation and reduced use of fixed ratios and proxies. 3. The household/informal sector is estimated using ASUSE and PLFS survey data. 4. The informal sector continues to be benchmarked on the 2011-12 base year. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly stated?

  1. The base year has been shifted from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
  2. There is greater reliance on direct estimation and reduced use of fixed ratios and proxies.
  3. The household/informal sector is estimated using ASUSE and PLFS survey data.
  4. The informal sector continues to be benchmarked on the 2011-12 base year.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the new 2022-23 National Accounts series with the previous 2011-12 series: 1. The 2022-23 series replaces the 2011-12 series as the base for GDP estimation. 2. Unlike the old series, the new series uses annual survey data (ASUSE and PLFS) to estimate the household/informal sector rather than relying mainly on formal-sector proxies. 3. The new series is compiled and released by the Reserve Bank of India, whereas the old series was released by MoSPI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2022-23 series replaces the 2011-12 series as the base for GDP estimation.
  2. Unlike the old series, the new series uses annual survey data (ASUSE and PLFS) to estimate the household/informal sector rather than relying mainly on formal-sector proxies.
  3. The new series is compiled and released by the Reserve Bank of India, whereas the old series was released by MoSPI.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS), which guided the methodology of the new 2022-23 base-year series, is currently chaired by whom?

  • A. Prof. Biswanath Goldar
  • B. Dr. C. Rangarajan
  • C. Dr. Pronab Sen
  • D. Dr. Bibek Debroy