UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Out of work and outraged

Q1. With reference to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The unemployment rate in usual status for persons aged 15 years and above was 3.1% for males as well as for females. 2. The unemployment rate in usual status among youth aged 15–29 years was 9.9%, which was higher than the corresponding figure for 2024. 3. The Labour Force Participation Rate in usual status for persons aged 15 years and above was 59.3%. 4. Youth unemployment in usual status was higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The unemployment rate in usual status for persons aged 15 years and above was 3.1% for males as well as for females.
  2. The unemployment rate in usual status among youth aged 15–29 years was 9.9%, which was higher than the corresponding figure for 2024.
  3. The Labour Force Participation Rate in usual status for persons aged 15 years and above was 59.3%.
  4. Youth unemployment in usual status was higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report, 2025, consider the following pairs of indicator/term and its value or defining reference period: 1. Worker Population Ratio (15 years and above, usual status) — 57.4% 2. Current Weekly Status — activity status determined with reference to the 7 days preceding the date of survey 3. Usual status — activity status determined with reference to the 30 days preceding the date of survey 4. Survey period of the Annual Report, 2025 — July 2024 to June 2025 Which of the above pairs is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Worker Population Ratio (15 years and above, usual status) — 57.4%
  2. Current Weekly Status — activity status determined with reference to the 7 days preceding the date of survey
  3. Usual status — activity status determined with reference to the 30 days preceding the date of survey
  4. Survey period of the Annual Report, 2025 — July 2024 to June 2025
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q3. Of the following five examinations — NEET-UG, JEE (Advanced), UGC-NET, CUET (PG) and the Combined Graduate Level Examination — how many are conducted by the National Testing Agency?

  • A. Only two
  • B. Only three
  • C. Only four
  • D. All five

Q4. With reference to the National Testing Agency (NTA), consider the following statements: 1. Its creation was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2017, in pursuance of a Union Budget announcement. 2. It was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 3. It is a statutory body constituted by an Act of Parliament, functioning under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 4. One of the stated objectives of creating it was to relieve the Central Board of Secondary Education of the responsibility of conducting entrance examinations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its creation was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2017, in pursuance of a Union Budget announcement.
  2. It was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  3. It is a statutory body constituted by an Act of Parliament, functioning under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  4. One of the stated objectives of creating it was to relieve the Central Board of Secondary Education of the responsibility of conducting entrance examinations.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. With reference to the central law on unfair means in public examinations, consider the following statements: 1. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in February 2024. 2. Examinations conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection fall among the authorities specified in the Schedule to the Act. 3. The Amendment Bill of 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and passed by both Houses of Parliament within the month of July 2026. 4. The parent Act was first enacted in 2019, following the introduction of computer-based testing by the National Testing Agency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in February 2024.
  2. Examinations conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection fall among the authorities specified in the Schedule to the Act.
  3. The Amendment Bill of 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and passed by both Houses of Parliament within the month of July 2026.
  4. The parent Act was first enacted in 2019, following the introduction of computer-based testing by the National Testing Agency.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. With reference to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 as amended in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. 2. After the 2026 amendment, resorting to unfair means is punishable with imprisonment of five to ten years along with fine up to fifty lakh rupees. 3. The 2026 amendment reduced the period for which an errant service provider may be barred from being assigned responsibility for any public examination from eight years to four years. 4. The 2026 amendment requires the investigation of an offence under the Act to be completed within two years of registration of the case. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
  2. After the 2026 amendment, resorting to unfair means is punishable with imprisonment of five to ten years along with fine up to fifty lakh rupees.
  3. The 2026 amendment reduced the period for which an errant service provider may be barred from being assigned responsibility for any public examination from eight years to four years.
  4. The 2026 amendment requires the investigation of an offence under the Act to be completed within two years of registration of the case.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q7. Besides provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak invoked which one of the following combinations of laws?

  • A. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
  • B. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the Information Technology Act, 2000
  • C. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956
  • D. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946

Q8. The Central Bureau of Investigation took up the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak on a written complaint made by which one of the following?

  • A. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
  • B. The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education
  • C. The National Medical Commission, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. The National Testing Agency, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education

Q9. According to official Government of India assessments, approximately what proportion of India's population falls in the 15–59 years age group, the segment broadly described as India's demographic dividend?

  • A. About 43 per cent of the total population
  • B. About 53 per cent of the total population
  • C. About 63 per cent of the total population
  • D. About 73 per cent of the total population

Q10. India's working-age population is officially projected to attain its peak during which one of the following periods?

  • A. Between 2020 and 2025
  • B. Between 2030 and 2035
  • C. Between 2040 and 2045
  • D. Between 2050 and 2055

Q11. The Press Communique of 25 July 2026 recorded that the President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, accepted the resignation of the Union Minister of Education under which clause of Article 75 of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Clause (1)
  • B. Clause (2)
  • C. Clause (3)
  • D. Clause (5)

Q12. Under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, schools of specified category and unaided schools must admit in Class I children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups of the neighbourhood to the extent of at least what share of the strength of that class?

  • A. Fifteen per cent of the strength of that class
  • B. Twenty-five per cent of the strength of that class
  • C. Thirty-three per cent of the strength of that class
  • D. Fifty per cent of the strength of that class