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Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

PLFS is the primary official source for labour market statistics in India, essential for understanding employment trends, formulating economic policies, and evaluating the effectiveness of government schemes related to employment and skill development. Its data informs policy decisions and economic analysis.

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is a crucial household survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to estimate key employment and unemployment indicators in India. It provides high-frequency data for both rural and urban areas.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Launched

April 2017, replacing earlier employment-unemployment surveys by NSSO.

Frequency

Quarterly for urban areas, and annually for both rural and urban areas.

Key Indicators Measured

Unemployment Rate (UR), Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), and Worker Population Ratio (WPR).

Methodology

Based on a rotating panel sample design, allowing for estimation of changes over time.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Economy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)Conducts and publishes the survey
National Statistical Office (NSO)Executes the survey under mospi
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • PLFS: India's key labour force survey.
  • Conducted by NSO under MoSPI.
  • Measures UR, LFPR, WPR.
  • Launched 2017, provides quarterly (urban) & annual (all) data.
  • Crucial for economic policy and understanding job trends.

Elimination traps

Authority vs ministry — Distinguish between NSO (National Statistical Office) as the executing body and MoSPI (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation) as the parent ministry.

Ministry sets policy; regulator often has quasi-judicial powers.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

EconomyOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

EconomyOpen question
2018Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Economy
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

Open question

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

Open question

Marginal increase in unemployment rate April-June quarter: PLFS

11 Aug 2026 · The PLFS, conducted by NSO/MoSPI, is India's primary source for high-frequency labour market data, providing estimates for key indicators like UR, LFPR, and WPR. Launched in 2017, it replaced older surveys to offer more timely and comprehensive insights into employment trends.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

2020·Economy
Solve

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

2026·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

2021·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

2018·Economy
Solve

International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to -

2018·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

2018·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

2016·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

2022·Economy
Solve

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