UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NATIONAL ACCOUNTS STATISTICS - 2026 PUBLICATION

Q1. Consider the following statements comparing the new National Accounts series with the series it has replaced: 1. The series with base year 2011-12 was introduced in January 2015, whereas the series with base year 2022-23 was introduced in February 2026. 2. Whereas the revision immediately preceding the present one shifted the base from 2004-05, the present revision has shifted the base from 1999-2000. 3. For household consumption expenditure, the new series adopts the COICOP 2018 classification standard, which was not used in the series it replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The series with base year 2011-12 was introduced in January 2015, whereas the series with base year 2022-23 was introduced in February 2026.
  2. Whereas the revision immediately preceding the present one shifted the base from 2004-05, the present revision has shifted the base from 1999-2000.
  3. For household consumption expenditure, the new series adopts the COICOP 2018 classification standard, which was not used in the series it replaced.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Taking the first series of National Accounts Statistics of India as the starting point, how many times has the base year of the national accounts been revised, up to and including the series with base year 2022-23?

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

Q3. Which one of the following was the base year of the very first series of National Accounts Statistics compiled in India?

  • A. 1950-51
  • B. 1948-49
  • C. 1960-61
  • D. 1970-71

Q4. The National Statistical Office, which constitutes the Statistics Wing of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is organised into how many divisions?

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

Q5. In the roadmap announced for the new National Accounts series, the 'back series' expected by December 2026 will consist of:

  • A. provisional annual figures for the four years already covered, to be firmed up in each subsequent annual revision cycle
  • B. the complete set of quarterly figures for every quarter since 1950-51, compiled exclusively at constant prices
  • C. figures for the years preceding the new base year, recompiled on the revised methodology and linked to the earlier series at a disaggregated level
  • D. figures for all past years compiled entirely afresh from primary surveys, without any linking to the superseded series

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the sequence of documents and releases connected with the 2022-23 base year revision: 1. The first discussion paper, released in November 2025, dealt with the expenditure approach, while the second discussion paper dealt with the production/income approach. 2. The comprehensive 'Source and Methods' publication is scheduled for release by August 2026, whereas the back series data is expected by December 2026. 3. The methodology for the back series is to be finalised in consultation with an advisory committee constituted to advise the Ministry on methodological improvements and incorporation of new data sources. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The first discussion paper, released in November 2025, dealt with the expenditure approach, while the second discussion paper dealt with the production/income approach.
  2. The comprehensive 'Source and Methods' publication is scheduled for release by August 2026, whereas the back series data is expected by December 2026.
  3. The methodology for the back series is to be finalised in consultation with an advisory committee constituted to advise the Ministry on methodological improvements and incorporation of new data sources.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Consider the following statements relating to Gross Value Added and Gross Domestic Product in India's national accounts: 1. GVA at basic prices includes production taxes net of production subsidies, such as land revenue and stamps and registration fees on the one hand and subsidies to the Railways on the other. 2. GDP at market prices is obtained by adding subsidies on products to, and deducting taxes on products from, GVA at basic prices. 3. Compensation of employees and consumption of fixed capital are components of GVA when it is compiled through the income approach. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. GVA at basic prices includes production taxes net of production subsidies, such as land revenue and stamps and registration fees on the one hand and subsidies to the Railways on the other.
  2. GDP at market prices is obtained by adding subsidies on products to, and deducting taxes on products from, GVA at basic prices.
  3. Compensation of employees and consumption of fixed capital are components of GVA when it is compiled through the income approach.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. In compiling the quarterly estimates of the new series, the earlier pro-rata approach has been replaced by the Proportional Denton method. This method is used to:

  • A. convert current price estimates into constant price estimates by applying sector-specific price deflators
  • B. distribute annual totals over the four quarters while preserving the movement of the quarterly indicator, avoiding step-jumps at year ends
  • C. link the estimates of a new base year series to the preceding series at a disaggregated level to build a continuous long series
  • D. remove seasonal and calendar-day effects from the quarterly series before the estimates are published

Q9. Consider the following statements about the documents brought out by MoSPI in connection with the new National Accounts series: 1. The document titled 'Understanding the New Series of GDP' is an FAQ addressed to general users, whereas the technical proposals on methodology were placed before users through discussion papers. 2. A separate discussion paper dealt with changes in the methodology of the quarterly GDP series and sub-national accounts, and was placed in the public domain only after the new series estimates were published. 3. Besides the discussion papers, the report of the Sub-Committee on Methodological Improvements in the 2022-23 series of National Accounts was also released. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The document titled 'Understanding the New Series of GDP' is an FAQ addressed to general users, whereas the technical proposals on methodology were placed before users through discussion papers.
  2. A separate discussion paper dealt with changes in the methodology of the quarterly GDP series and sub-national accounts, and was placed in the public domain only after the new series estimates were published.
  3. Besides the discussion papers, the report of the Sub-Committee on Methodological Improvements in the 2022-23 series of National Accounts was also released.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q10. The United Nations Statistical Commission recommends that countries re-base their national accounts series at least once in how many years?

  • A. Three years
  • B. Ten years
  • C. Five years
  • D. Fifteen years