UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES OF INDEX OF CORE INDUSTRIES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2026, AND FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026 WITH BASE YEAR 2022-23

Q1. When the Office of the Economic Adviser released the Index of Core Industries on the revised base year of 2022-23 for the first time, it simultaneously placed a back series of the new index in the public domain. How many months did that back series cover?

  • A. 26 months, running from April 2024 to May 2026
  • B. 33 months, running from September 2023 to May 2026
  • C. 38 months, running from April 2023 to May 2026
  • D. 45 months, running from September 2022 to May 2026

Q2. In the Index of Core Industries compiled on base year 2022-23, which one of the following constituent industries carries the single largest weight?

  • A. Electricity
  • B. Petroleum Refinery Products
  • C. Steel
  • D. Coal

Q3. Iron Ore was brought into the Index of Core Industries when the index moved to the 2022-23 base year. What weight does it carry within the new index?

  • A. 2.63 per cent
  • B. 4.90 per cent
  • C. 5.60 per cent
  • D. 8.98 per cent

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the Index of Core Industries on base year 2022-23 with its predecessor series on base year 2011-12: 1. The combined weight of the core industries within the Index of Industrial Production basket is lower in the 2022-23 series than it was in the 2011-12 series. 2. Coal carries a smaller weight than Iron Ore in the 2022-23 series. 3. Petroleum Refinery Products carried the largest weight among the constituent industries in the 2011-12 series. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The combined weight of the core industries within the Index of Industrial Production basket is lower in the 2022-23 series than it was in the 2011-12 series.
  2. Coal carries a smaller weight than Iron Ore in the 2022-23 series.
  3. Petroleum Refinery Products carried the largest weight among the constituent industries in the 2011-12 series.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the compilation and dissemination of the Index of Core Industries, consider the following: 1. It is compiled and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 2. Each monthly release carries a provisional index for the latest month together with a final index for the month preceding it. 3. The back series of the index on base year 2022-23, running from April 2023 onwards, is hosted on the web portal of the Office of the Economic Adviser. 4. The Index of Industrial Production, for which the core-industries index serves as a lead indicator, is released by the same Office of the Economic Adviser. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is compiled and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  2. Each monthly release carries a provisional index for the latest month together with a final index for the month preceding it.
  3. The back series of the index on base year 2022-23, running from April 2023 onwards, is hosted on the web portal of the Office of the Economic Adviser.
  4. The Index of Industrial Production, for which the core-industries index serves as a lead indicator, is released by the same Office of the Economic Adviser.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. In a monthly core-industries press release, what does the expression 'final index' for a given month signify?

  • A. The index recomputed on the current base year after the earlier base-year series has been discontinued
  • B. The index for that month after production data from the source agencies have been updated, published alongside the next month's provisional estimate
  • C. The index for that month adjusted for seasonal variation and the number of working days before publication
  • D. The index for that month expressed in constant prices after deflation by the corresponding wholesale price index

Q7. Among the constituents of the Index of Core Industries, which one recorded the fastest year-on-year expansion in August 2026 (provisional), touching its highest rate in over two years?

  • A. Iron Ore
  • B. Cement
  • C. Electricity
  • D. Steel

Q8. In the provisional Index of Core Industries for August 2026, the following are identified as sectors whose output contracted year-on-year: 1. Coal 2. Iron Ore 3. Fertilizers 4. Electricity Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Coal
  2. Iron Ore
  3. Fertilizers
  4. Electricity
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q9. The final Index of Core Industries for July 2026 stood at 120.8. What does this value convey?

  • A. Combined output of the core industries in July 2026 was 20.8 per cent above the average monthly output of the base year 2022-23
  • B. Combined output of the core industries in July 2026 was 20.8 per cent above the corresponding month of the preceding year
  • C. Combined output of the core industries in July 2026 was 20.8 per cent above the average monthly output of the base year 2011-12
  • D. Combined output of the core industries in July 2026 was 20.8 per cent above the level recorded in the immediately preceding month

Q10. Core-sector growth for July 2026 was first reported at 5.4 per cent year-on-year. When the final index for that month was published together with the provisional estimate for August 2026, what did the July growth rate settle at?

  • A. 4.8 per cent, a downward revision
  • B. 5.0 per cent, a downward revision
  • C. 5.6 per cent, an upward revision
  • D. 6.0 per cent, an upward revision

Q11. With reference to the evolution of the Index of Core Industries in India, consider the following: 1. The index was originally compiled on the base year 2004-05. 2. The series immediately preceding the present one used 2011-12 as its base year. 3. The series on base year 2011-12 covered nine core industries. 4. The first press release of the index on the revised base year of 2022-23 was issued in July 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The index was originally compiled on the base year 2004-05.
  2. The series immediately preceding the present one used 2011-12 as its base year.
  3. The series on base year 2011-12 covered nine core industries.
  4. The first press release of the index on the revised base year of 2022-23 was issued in July 2026.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to the coverage and construction of the Index of Core Industries on base year 2022-23, consider the following statements: 1. Iron Ore was brought in as an additional core industry alongside the eight already covered. 2. The coal component covers raw coal, coal middling and washed coal in their entirety. 3. The steel component is compiled using gross production data. 4. The weights of the constituent industries are derived exclusively from the gross value added contributed by each industry in the base year. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Iron Ore was brought in as an additional core industry alongside the eight already covered.
  2. The coal component covers raw coal, coal middling and washed coal in their entirety.
  3. The steel component is compiled using gross production data.
  4. The weights of the constituent industries are derived exclusively from the gross value added contributed by each industry in the base year.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only