UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A job well done

Q1. With reference to the Economic Survey 2025-26, which one of the following best describes the concept of an 'Entrepreneurial State'?

  • A. A state that withdraws from economic activity and confines itself to regulation of private enterprise
  • B. A state that acts before certainty emerges, structures risk rather than avoids it, and learns systematically from experimentation
  • C. A state that owns and operates the commanding heights of the economy through public sector undertakings
  • D. A state that guarantees a universal basic income to all citizens irrespective of employment status

Q2. With reference to the 'Entrepreneurial State' as articulated in the Economic Survey 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. It calls for the state to act before certainty emerges rather than wait for it. 2. It seeks to structure risk rather than avoid it. 3. It emphasises systematic learning from experimentation. 4. It proposes replacing private markets with state-led production in strategic sectors. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It calls for the state to act before certainty emerges rather than wait for it.
  2. It seeks to structure risk rather than avoid it.
  3. It emphasises systematic learning from experimentation.
  4. It proposes replacing private markets with state-led production in strategic sectors.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Which one of the following is the central conceptual pillar around which the Economic Survey 2025-26 is organised?

  • A. Universal Basic Income
  • B. Blue Economy
  • C. Entrepreneurial State
  • D. Hockey-Stick Growth Trajectory

Q4. The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in Parliament on 29 January 2026, was authored under the authority of which one of the following Chief Economic Advisers?

  • A. Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian
  • B. Arvind Subramanian
  • C. V. Anantha Nageswaran
  • D. Raghuram G. Rajan

Q5. The Economic Survey, presented to Parliament a day before the Union Budget, is prepared by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
  • B. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • C. Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
  • D. NITI Aayog, in association with the Ministry of Finance