UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves ‘Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR)’, a central sector scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31

Q1. Consider the following statements in respect of the VISTAR scheme approved in November 2026: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. VISTAR is classified as a Central Sector Scheme even though one of its components channels funds to State and UT statistical systems.
  2. Under the Support for Statistical Strengthening component, the Union bears the entire cost and States/UTs are not required to contribute a matching share.
  • 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

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

  1. Data harmonisation under VISTAR is intended chiefly to reduce the number of surveys conducted by MoSPI during the scheme period.
  2. Harmonised and interoperable datasets allow records from different sources to be linked and reused, reducing duplication of data collection.
  • 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. Since January 2025, the Periodic Labour Force Survey has released monthly and quarterly estimates of the labour force participation rate, worker population ratio and unemployment rate, broken down by rural/urban sector, gender and age group. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. Turning points in labour-market conditions can be detected sooner than with annual estimates alone.
  2. The monthly estimates directly measure the output contributed by informal workers.
  3. Since figures are now monthly, every district can obtain its own reliable monthly unemployment rate.
  4. Differences between male and female participation can be tracked within a year rather than only annually.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q4. Consider the following assertion: Supplementing sample surveys with administrative and alternate data can make official statistics more timely while lowering the burden on survey respondents. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. Administrative records such as PFMS transactions and VAHAN vehicle registrations are generated as a by-product of governance, without separately interviewing households or firms.
  2. Scanner and e-commerce data are recorded at the moment transactions take place, rather than at the end of a survey round.
  3. Mobile phone data can reflect patterns such as connectivity or movement without any field interview of the subscriber.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. In the Periodic Labour Force Survey, suppose that many unemployed persons stop looking for work and withdraw from the labour force, while the number of employed persons and the total population stay the same. Other things being equal, which one of the following correctly describes the effect on the unemployment rate (UR), labour force participation rate (LFPR) and worker population ratio (WPR)?

  • A. UR falls; LFPR stays unchanged; WPR rises
  • B. UR stays unchanged; LFPR falls; WPR falls
  • C. UR falls; LFPR falls; WPR stays unchanged
  • D. UR rises; LFPR stays unchanged; WPR falls

Q6. With reference to the classification of the VISTAR scheme and its Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS 2.0) component, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A scheme can be classified as a Central Sector Scheme even if part of its money is spent by State/UT statistical bodies, provided the Union bears the entire cost.
  2. Because SSS 2.0 transfers money to State statistical systems, States must contribute a matching share of its cost, as in a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
  3. Under SSS 2.0, a State's share of funds is fixed by its population, irrespective of the statistical outputs it delivers.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Although its SSS 2.0 component channels funds to States and Union Territories, VISTAR is classified as a Central Sector Scheme.
  2. In a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the Union bears the entire cost while the States only implement the scheme.
  • 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

Q8. With reference to the Economic Census conducted in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a complete enumeration of establishments rather than a sample survey.
  2. It covers establishments engaged in crop production and plantation along with non-farm establishments.
  3. Its listing of establishments can serve as the frame from which enterprise sample surveys select their units.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q9. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Year-on-year growth rates from a rebased index series are, by construction, identical to those of the old series for the overlapping months.
  2. Rebasing an index updates its basket of items and their weights to reflect a more recent structure of the economy.
  • 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

Q10. Consider the following assertion: Larger spending on surveys, digitalisation and AI under VISTAR will not, by itself, strengthen the institutional independence of India's official statistics. Which of the statements given below support/supports the above assertion?

  1. The National Statistical Commission, meant to oversee core statistics, has no statute of its own.
  2. VISTAR lets MoSPI reallocate funds among its components, adding to the ministry's own discretion.
  3. VISTAR proposes using mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data to supplement surveys.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q11. VISTAR envisages a National Statistical Business Register for India. The baseline for this register is meant to come from which one of the following?

  • A. The Economic Census of non-farm establishments
  • B. The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises
  • C. The Periodic Labour Force Survey of households
  • D. The Population Census of households and persons