UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Economic Survey 2025-26

Q1. The Economic Survey, tabled in Parliament a day before the Union Budget, is prepared by which one of the following?

  • A. The Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • B. The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
  • C. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • D. The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

Q2. With reference to how the Economic Survey 2025-26 compares with its immediate predecessor edition, consider the following statements: 1. The 2025-26 Survey pegs FY26 real GDP growth (First Advance Estimate) at 7.4%, higher than the 6.5% real GDP growth estimated for FY25. 2. Both the 2024-25 and the 2025-26 editions were prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs. 3. Unlike its predecessor, the 2025-26 Survey was tabled after the presentation of the Union Budget. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2025-26 Survey pegs FY26 real GDP growth (First Advance Estimate) at 7.4%, higher than the 6.5% real GDP growth estimated for FY25.
  2. Both the 2024-25 and the 2025-26 editions were prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs.
  3. Unlike its predecessor, the 2025-26 Survey was tabled after the presentation of the Union Budget.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following growth figures attributed to the Economic Survey 2025-26 / First Advance Estimates: 1. Real GDP growth for FY26 — 7.4% 2. GVA growth for FY26 — 7.3% 3. Nominal GDP growth for FY26 — 8.0% 4. Medium-term potential growth — around 9% Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Real GDP growth for FY26 — 7.4%
  2. GVA growth for FY26 — 7.3%
  3. Nominal GDP growth for FY26 — 8.0%
  4. Medium-term potential growth — around 9%
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26 First Advance Estimates, by how many percentage points does India's FY26 nominal GDP growth exceed its FY26 real GDP growth?

  • A. 0.4 percentage points
  • B. 0.6 percentage points
  • C. 0.7 percentage points
  • D. 1.0 percentage point

Q5. As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, which one of the following broad sectors is estimated to record the highest growth in FY26?

  • A. Services
  • B. Industry
  • C. Agriculture and allied activities
  • D. Mining and quarrying

Q6. The Economic Survey 2025-26 reports sectoral performance in terms of 'Gross Value Added (GVA)'. Which one of the following best describes GVA?

  • A. The value of output less intermediate consumption, i.e. GDP at market prices minus net product taxes (product taxes less product subsidies)
  • B. GDP at market prices plus net product taxes
  • C. The sum of private final consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure
  • D. GDP measured at current prices rather than constant prices

Q7. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, food and fuel together account for what share of India's Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket?

  • A. 45.7%
  • B. 48.2%
  • C. 52.7%
  • D. 60.1%

Q8. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) that recorded the April-December 2025 headline inflation of 1.7% highlighted by the Survey is compiled and released by which one of the following?

  • A. The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • B. The Reserve Bank of India, which alone measures all retail inflation in India
  • C. The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • D. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

Q9. With reference to fiscal indicators in the Economic Survey 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. The Union fiscal deficit narrowed from 4.8% of GDP in FY25 to 4.4% of GDP in FY26 (budgeted). 2. The Union revenue deficit fell to 0.8% of GDP in FY26, its lowest since FY09. 3. The States' combined fiscal deficit declined to 2.8% of GDP in FY25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Union fiscal deficit narrowed from 4.8% of GDP in FY25 to 4.4% of GDP in FY26 (budgeted).
  2. The Union revenue deficit fell to 0.8% of GDP in FY26, its lowest since FY09.
  3. The States' combined fiscal deficit declined to 2.8% of GDP in FY25.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The FY26 fiscal-deficit target of 4.4% of GDP discussed in the Economic Survey is set through the Union Budget, which is prepared and presented by which one of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Finance, which is solely responsible for preparing and presenting the Union Budget
  • B. The NITI Aayog
  • C. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • D. The Reserve Bank of India

Q11. Regarding the revised GDP series released alongside the Economic Survey 2025-26 context, consider the following statements: 1. The new series shifts the GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23. 2. Under the new series, FY26 real GDP growth is estimated at 7.6%, higher than the 7.4% First Advance Estimate under the earlier series. 3. Back-series data under the new methodology is scheduled for release by December 2027. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The new series shifts the GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
  2. Under the new series, FY26 real GDP growth is estimated at 7.6%, higher than the 7.4% First Advance Estimate under the earlier series.
  3. Back-series data under the new methodology is scheduled for release by December 2027.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. The Economic Survey 2025-26 records that India remained the fastest-growing major economy for how many consecutive years?

  • A. For the second consecutive year
  • B. For the third consecutive year
  • C. For the fourth consecutive year
  • D. For the fifth consecutive year