UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Social Security Coverage

Q1. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) and the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Entitlement to the pension under PM-SYM is built up through the worker's own periodic contributions before old age.
  2. Benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana depend on the beneficiary having contributed to the scheme earlier.
  3. Both schemes require the beneficiary to be in a formal employer–employee relationship.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In an economy where close to nine-tenths of workers are informal, contributory social insurance by itself cannot ensure universal social security coverage.
  2. Contributory schemes depend on regular contributions, which workers with unsteady incomes and no liable employer often cannot sustain.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the contribution required from aggregators under the Code on Social Security, 2020, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The contribution is calculated with reference to the aggregator's annual turnover, subject to a ceiling linked to its payouts to gig and platform workers.
  2. The contribution is a fixed amount per registered worker, independent of the size of the aggregator's business.
  3. The contributions are credited to a Social Security Fund from which welfare schemes for these workers are financed.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, aggregators are required to contribute towards social security for gig and platform workers.
  2. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, aggregators are treated as the employers of the gig and platform workers who work through them.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. With reference to the schemes administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Employees' Provident Fund is a savings corpus from which partial withdrawals are permitted before retirement for specified needs.
  2. The Employees' Pension Scheme can pay a pension to eligible dependents of a member, not merely to the member.
  3. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance scheme requires the member to pay a separate insurance premium.
  4. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance scheme pays a benefit on the death of a member while in service.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q6. Under the International Labour Organization (ILO) methodology used to estimate India's social protection coverage, a person is counted as covered only if they receive a benefit meeting certain criteria. Consider the following beneficiaries: Which of the beneficiaries given above would be counted as covered?

  1. A household receiving free foodgrains every month under a statutory food security law.
  2. An elderly person drawing a monthly cash pension under a statutory scheme that is in operation.
  3. A worker drawing a monthly cash allowance under an operational scheme created by executive order without legislation.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 only

Q7. Consider the following facts: India's social protection coverage was reported as 24.4% in 2021, 48.8% in 2024 and 64.3% in 2025. Only benefits that are legally backed, paid in cash and currently active are counted. The 2025 figure reflects only the first phase of a data-pooling exercise in which existing schemes are being verified. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The rise from 48.8% to 64.3% proves that tens of crores of people began receiving new benefits within that single year.
  2. A person whose only benefits are in-kind food or health services may be recorded as uncovered.
  3. The reported coverage could rise further even if no new scheme is launched.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3