UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — FIRST ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 2025-26

Q1. With reference to the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26 released by the NSO, consider the following figures. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly stated?

  1. Real GDP growth is estimated at 7.4% for FY 2025-26.
  2. Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8.0% for FY 2025-26.
  3. Real GVA growth is estimated at 7.3% for FY 2025-26.
  4. Nominal GVA growth is estimated at 6.5% for FY 2025-26.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q2. Comparing the First Advance Estimates for FY 2025-26 with FY 2024-25, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Real GDP growth accelerated from 6.5% in FY 2024-25 to 7.4% in FY 2025-26.
  2. Real GDP in absolute terms rose from ₹187.97 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 to ₹201.90 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
  3. Nominal GDP for FY 2025-26 is estimated at ₹330.68 lakh crore.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The National Statistics Office (NSO), which releases the Advance Estimates of GDP, was created in 2019 by merging how many pre-existing statistical organisations?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q4. With reference to the National Statistics Office (NSO) and its predecessor arrangement, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The NSO was formed in 2019 by merging the CSO with the NSSO.
  2. Before the merger, compilation of national income and GDP estimates was the responsibility of the CSO.
  3. The NSO functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following is the first official numerical estimate of annual GDP that the NSO releases for a given financial year?

  • A. First Advance Estimates
  • B. Second Advance Estimates
  • C. Provisional Estimates
  • D. First Revised Estimates

Q6. In the sequence of India's national income estimates, the 'Provisional Estimates' of annual GDP are best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The first annual estimate incorporating near-complete data including the fourth quarter, released around May/June
  • B. The earliest estimate, released in early January, based only on the first two quarters
  • C. The estimate released in February that adds third-quarter data to the advance estimate
  • D. The final estimate released only after three successive years of revision

Q7. With reference to the methodology underlying the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The estimates use 2011-12 as the base year for measurement at constant prices.
  2. GDP is compiled using both the production (GVA) approach and the expenditure approach.
  3. The benchmark-indicator method extrapolates from the latest available estimates using high-frequency indicators.
  4. Estimates at constant prices measure output valued at the current market prices of FY 2025-26.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q8. According to the First Advance Estimates for 2025-26, which one of the following was identified as the major driver of the estimated Real GVA growth?

  • A. Services sector
  • B. Agriculture and Allied sector
  • C. Electricity, Gas, Water Supply and Utilities sector
  • D. Construction sector

Q9. With reference to the new series of GDP estimates announced alongside the 2025-26 exercise, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The new series adopts 2022-23 as the base year, replacing 2011-12.
  2. It was released by the NSO in February 2026.
  3. It makes wider use of GSTN and MCA-21 datasets.
  4. Under the new series, real GDP growth for FY 2025-26 is revised down to 6.5%.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the history and design of the First Advance Estimates (FAE) of GDP in India, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The FAE were introduced from the financial year 2016-17.
  2. The FAE were introduced primarily to provide an early input for the Union Budget exercise.
  3. The FAE for 2016-17 were first released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
  4. The FAE are released in the last week of February each year.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. The characterisation of India as the 'fastest-growing major economy', reiterated around the FAE 2025-26, is most directly based on the growth projections published in the World Economic Outlook of which one of the following institutions?

  • A. International Monetary Fund
  • B. World Bank
  • C. World Trade Organization
  • D. Asian Development Bank

Q12. The First Advance Estimates that feed into Union Budget preparation are built primarily on the actual data of how many quarters of the ongoing financial year, supplemented by high-frequency indicators?

  • A. One quarter only
  • B. The first two quarters
  • C. The first three quarters
  • D. All four quarters