UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PROTECTION PLAN

Q1. India recently became the first country to update its 2025 social protection coverage data — showing a rise from 19% (2015) to 64.3% (2025) — on the statistical database of which one of the following organisations?

  • A. International Labour Organization (ILOSTAT)
  • B. World Bank (World Development Indicators)
  • C. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  • D. International Social Security Association

Q2. As per the ILOSTAT data cited by the Government of India in 2025, approximately how many people in India are now covered by at least one social protection benefit?

  • A. 64 crore
  • B. 84 crore
  • C. 94 crore
  • D. 104 crore

Q3. With reference to the ILO framework of universal social protection, consider the following statements: 1. Social insurance schemes are typically financed through contributions from wages, whereas social assistance schemes are financed through general taxation. 2. Universality of coverage is generally achieved by combining contributory and non-contributory schemes. 3. Among all life-cycle contingencies, universal social protection is least commonly achieved for old-age pensions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Social insurance schemes are typically financed through contributions from wages, whereas social assistance schemes are financed through general taxation.
  2. Universality of coverage is generally achieved by combining contributory and non-contributory schemes.
  3. Among all life-cycle contingencies, universal social protection is least commonly achieved for old-age pensions.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. In the ILO's usage, the term 'universal social protection' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. An integrated set of policies ensuring income security and support to all people across the life cycle, with particular attention to the poor and vulnerable
  • B. A statutory guarantee of a national minimum wage for all workers in the organised sector
  • C. The provision of free universal healthcare through public hospitals alone
  • D. A contributory unemployment insurance scheme restricted to formally employed workers

Q5. Under India's social security architecture, which one of the following sets of benefits is administered through the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme?

  • A. Sickness, maternity and medical benefits to insured workers
  • B. Monthly pension on superannuation after ten years of service
  • C. A lump-sum provident fund accumulation payable on retirement
  • D. Accidental death cover of Rs 2 lakh for a Rs 20 annual premium

Q6. The Employees' Provident Fund, the Employees' Pension Scheme and the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme are all administered by a Central Board of Trustees headed by which single officer?

  • A. The Central Provident Fund Commissioner
  • B. The Chairperson of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation
  • C. The Director General of Labour Welfare
  • D. The Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment

Q7. Regarding the chronology and basis of India's social security statutes, consider the following statements: 1. The Employees' State Insurance Act was enacted earlier than the Employees' Provident Funds Act. 2. The Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme was introduced before the Employees' Pension Scheme. 3. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 was notified under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Employees' State Insurance Act was enacted earlier than the Employees' Provident Funds Act.
  2. The Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme was introduced before the Employees' Pension Scheme.
  3. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 was notified under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following is the earliest enacted among these Indian social security statutes/schemes?

  • A. The Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952
  • B. The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948
  • C. The Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976
  • D. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995

Q9. Which one of the following schemes provides an accidental death-cum-disability cover of Rs 2 lakh (Rs 1 lakh for partial disability) for a premium of about Rs 20 per annum to persons aged 18-70 years?

  • A. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
  • B. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
  • C. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
  • D. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM)

Q10. With reference to the eligibility parameters of unorganised-sector social security schemes, consider the following statements: 1. PM-SYM guarantees a minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after the age of 60 to eligible unorganised workers. 2. Atal Pension Yojana is open to bank account holders in the 18-40 years age group who are not income-tax payers. 3. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is open only to persons in the 18-50 years age group. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PM-SYM guarantees a minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after the age of 60 to eligible unorganised workers.
  2. Atal Pension Yojana is open to bank account holders in the 18-40 years age group who are not income-tax payers.
  3. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is open only to persons in the 18-50 years age group.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the Code on Social Security, 2020, consider the following: 1. It consolidates nine existing central labour laws on social security. 2. It introduces, for the first time, statutory definitions of 'gig worker' and 'platform worker'. 3. Aggregators are required to contribute between 5% and 10% of their annual turnover towards social security. 4. An aggregator's contribution may not exceed 5% of the amount paid or payable by it to gig and platform workers. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It consolidates nine existing central labour laws on social security.
  2. It introduces, for the first time, statutory definitions of 'gig worker' and 'platform worker'.
  3. Aggregators are required to contribute between 5% and 10% of their annual turnover towards social security.
  4. An aggregator's contribution may not exceed 5% of the amount paid or payable by it to gig and platform workers.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q12. The universal social protection coverage data and schemes such as EPFO, ESIC and the e-Shram portal are operationalised and reported by which nodal ministry of the Government of India?

  • A. Ministry of Labour & Employment
  • B. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Finance