UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INDEX OF EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES (BASE YEAR: 2011-12=100) FOR DECEMBER, 2025

Q1. The weighting diagram under which the eight core industries carry a combined weight of 40.27 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is aligned to which base year?

  • A. 2004-05
  • B. 2011-12
  • C. 2017-18
  • D. 1993-94

Q2. With reference to the individual weights of sectors in the Index of Eight Core Industries (base 2011-12=100), consider the following: 1. Petroleum Refinery Products carries the single largest weight, at 28.04. 2. Electricity carries a weight of 19.85. 3. Fertilizers carries a weight of 5.37. 4. Coal carries a weight of 10.33. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Petroleum Refinery Products carries the single largest weight, at 28.04.
  2. Electricity carries a weight of 19.85.
  3. Fertilizers carries a weight of 5.37.
  4. Coal carries a weight of 10.33.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the evolution of the core-industries index, consider the following statements: 1. The ICI is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser under DPIIT, whereas the IIP is compiled by the statistical office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 2. Under the base year 2004-05, the core industries carried a larger combined weight in the IIP than they do under the base year 2011-12. 3. The index was expanded from six to eight industries while the base year 1993-94 was in use. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ICI is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser under DPIIT, whereas the IIP is compiled by the statistical office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  2. Under the base year 2004-05, the core industries carried a larger combined weight in the IIP than they do under the base year 2011-12.
  3. The index was expanded from six to eight industries while the base year 1993-94 was in use.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The core-industries index, computed using Laspeyre's fixed-base weighted arithmetic mean formula, currently covers how many industries?

  • A. Six
  • B. Seven
  • C. Eight
  • D. Nine

Q5. Which agency compiles the Index of Eight Core Industries using the Laspeyre's weighted arithmetic mean methodology?

  • A. National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • B. Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
  • C. Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • D. Economic Division, NITI Aayog

Q6. The 3.7 per cent provisional growth reported for the ICI in December 2025 is measured exclusively against which of the following?

  • A. The index of November 2025
  • B. The index of December 2024
  • C. The 2011-12 base-year index of 100
  • D. The average index of April–December 2024-25

Q7. Among the core sectors, which one recorded the highest year-on-year production growth in December 2025?

  • A. Steel
  • B. Cement
  • C. Electricity
  • D. Coal

Q8. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP), for which the ICI serves as a leading directional indicator, is compiled by which of the following?

  • A. Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT
  • B. National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. Reserve Bank of India
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q9. In the context of the ICI, the term 'core industries' most precisely refers to:

  • A. Industries that are wholly owned and operated by the public sector
  • B. Basic infrastructure-supporting industries whose output serves as inputs to a wide range of other industrial activities
  • C. Industries that together constitute the entire manufacturing sector captured by the IIP
  • D. Industries engaged exclusively in the export of raw materials

Q10. As per the established release convention, the Index of Eight Core Industries is compiled and released at what interval?

  • A. Weekly
  • B. Monthly
  • C. Quarterly
  • D. Annually

Q11. The provisional ICI figure for a given reference month is released with a lag of how many months?

  • A. In the same month
  • B. One month
  • C. Two months
  • D. Three months