UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Visible progress, invisible exclusion

Q1. With reference to the Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following as the stated 'kartavyas' guiding the Budget's framework: 1. Accelerating and sustaining economic growth by enhancing productivity, competitiveness and resilience. 2. Fulfilling aspirations and building the capacity of people. 3. Ensuring access to resources, amenities and opportunities for every family, community, region and sector under 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'. 4. Attaining a fiscal deficit of 3% of GDP in the same year under the FRBM glide path. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Accelerating and sustaining economic growth by enhancing productivity, competitiveness and resilience.
  2. Fulfilling aspirations and building the capacity of people.
  3. Ensuring access to resources, amenities and opportunities for every family, community, region and sector under 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'.
  4. Attaining a fiscal deficit of 3% of GDP in the same year under the FRBM glide path.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025, which placed India's overall unemployment rate at 3.1% and Labour Force Participation Rate (15+) at 59.3%, is released by which one of the following?

  • A. Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • B. National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. Central Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance
  • D. Directorate General of Employment under NITI Aayog

Q3. Under which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India is the 'Annual Financial Statement', through which the Union Budget 2026-27 was presented before Parliament, laid before both Houses?

  • A. Article 110
  • B. Article 112
  • C. Article 113
  • D. Article 114

Q4. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025, which one of the following remained the largest sector of employment in India by share of workers?

  • A. Manufacturing
  • B. Construction
  • C. Agriculture
  • D. Trade, hotels and restaurants

Q5. With reference to the Union Budget 2026-27 as compared to the Union Budget 2025-26 (Budget Estimates), consider the following statements: 1. Public capital expenditure has been raised to about ₹12.2 lakh crore in BE 2026-27, an increase of roughly 9% over BE 2025-26. 2. The fiscal deficit target in BE 2026-27 (4.3% of GDP) is lower than the fiscal deficit target in BE 2025-26. 3. The Ministry of Defence allocation in BE 2026-27 is lower than its allocation in BE 2025-26. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Public capital expenditure has been raised to about ₹12.2 lakh crore in BE 2026-27, an increase of roughly 9% over BE 2025-26.
  2. The fiscal deficit target in BE 2026-27 (4.3% of GDP) is lower than the fiscal deficit target in BE 2025-26.
  3. The Ministry of Defence allocation in BE 2026-27 is lower than its allocation in BE 2025-26.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3